Casa Batlló, one of Antoni Gaudí’s most celebrated architectural jewels on Passeig de Gràcia, has announced a new immersive cultural journey that will blend the master’s legacy with cutting-edge contemporary art. The launch is timed for the landmark Gaudí Year in 2026, which also coincides with Barcelona’s tenure as the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture.

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The new experience will grant public access for the first time to a previously hidden space on the building’s second storey. Here, visitors will embark on an innovative itinerary featuring three distinct contemporary artistic interventions, forming a single, cohesive narrative that reinterprets Gaudí’s profound artistic influence from a 21st-century perspective.

A Landmark Year for Gaudí and Barcelona

The year 2026 holds a dual significance for the city’s architectural heritage. It will mark the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death on 10 June 1926, an occasion the Government of Catalonia has designated as ‘Gaudí Year 2026‘. The enduring fascination with the architect, whose work extends from famous landmarks to more remote designs like the recently confirmed Xalet de Catllaràs, continues to grow.

Simultaneously, Barcelona will be celebrating its status as the World Capital of Architecture, placing its unique urban fabric and creative scene on the global stage. This new initiative at Casa Batlló positions the iconic building at the very heart of these celebrations.

A Three-Part Artistic Journey

The new tour begins with Beyond the Façade, a temporary exhibition by the London-based art practice United Visual Artists (UVA), founded by Matt Clark. According to Barcelona Secreta, the exhibition will open on 31 January 2026 and run until 17 May 2026. UVA’s installation will use light studies, motion-based projections, and kinetic sculptures to deconstruct Gaudí’s design philosophy, treating the architecture as a sensitive, active system defined by geometry, choreography, and time.

Following the exhibition, visitors will descend a new staircase designed by the world-renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The structure is designed to be more than a simple passageway, transforming the transition between floors into a sensory experience. A delicate, enveloping frame of aluminium chains filters light, creating an atmosphere that dialogues with the organic, nature-inspired sensibility of Gaudí himself.

The itinerary culminates in Gaudí Dreams, an immersive digital art installation by the pioneering Turkish-American artist Refik Anadol. Known for his work with data and artificial intelligence, Anadol’s piece will translate Gaudí’s creative universe into a dynamic, 360-degree audiovisual environment. The installation leverages algorithms to generate a mesmerising visual scape from the architect’s archives, offering a pioneering interpretation of his genius. The move reflects a growing trend for such high-tech experiences, with the Gaudí Centre in Reus also recently overhauling its own immersive room.

A Living Heritage Site

This ambitious project falls under the umbrella of Casa Batlló Contemporary, an artistic programme launched in 2021. The initiative invites international artists to engage with the UNESCO World Heritage site, reinforcing its identity as a living, evolving cultural hub. By juxtaposing Gaudí’s historical masterpiece with contemporary artistic languages, the programme aims to project his legacy into the future.

The new offering is set to captivate both Barcelona residents and international visitors, cementing Casa Batlló’s reputation not only as a historical monument but also as a forward-thinking cultural institution. It follows other popular public events at the venue, including spectacular projection mapping shows that have previously lit up its famous façade.

According to the official source, see Casa Batlló by Gaudí, Barcelona | Official website.