Casa Batlló is opening its second floor to the public for the first time as a contemporary art gallery. The space debuts on 31 January 2026 with an exhibition by London-based art collective United Visual Artists (UVA), founded by Matt Clark. This opening coincides with the centenary of Gaudí’s death and Barcelona’s year as World Capital of Architecture.
The second floor has been closed for decades. Previously, it housed residential apartments and later served as a conservation workshop. Meanwhile, Barcelona architecture studio Medida will redesign and transform the space before it reopens. The gallery will host two contemporary art exhibitions per year, establishing itself as a new cultural hub in the city.
Visitors can access the new gallery either as part of the main Casa Batlló tour or with a separate ticket. The inaugural exhibition, called Beyond the Façade, will set the tone for the space’s future programming. After this first show, UVA will also handle the annual mapping projections on Casa Batlló’s famous façade.
These initiatives form part of ‘Casa Batlló Contemporary’, a programme inviting artists to reinterpret Gaudí’s legacy. “Opening this space in Gaudí’s centenary year represents a significant milestone for Barcelona,” said Casa Batlló director general Gary Gautier. The programme aims to balance rigorous conservation with cultural innovation.
The new gallery enriches Barcelona’s cultural landscape whilst celebrating the architect who shaped so much of the city’s identity. For locals and visitors alike, it offers a fresh way to engage with one of Barcelona’s most recognisable landmarks.
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