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Although Barcelona’s iconic building Casa Batlló is over 100 years old, AV technology has provided it with renewed life.

For years now, Casa Batlló has been a part of The Heritage of Tomorrow initiative, inviting international artists to reinterpret Gaudí’s architectural masterpiece through innovative projection mapping shows. These free annual events combine art and technology, revitalizing the building’s stunning façade and offering a fresh, unique experience with each artist’s interpretation.

On February 1-2, 2025, Casa Batlló once again wowed audiences with a stunning audiovisual show, pushing the boundaries even further.

The Artistic Vision

This year, Italian artist Quayola took creative control, showcasing his project “Arborescent.”

In “Arborescent,” he paid homage to nature with his work. Inspired by the botanical world, his mapping featured many branching, tree-like structures.

“In the city, everywhere I looked, I found this incredible interconnection with nature,” said Quayola during his ISE Creative Keynote. “It really reiterated to me this kind of infinite power that nature has to be an enabler, a catalyzer for artistic creation. So, I developed this piece called Arborescent. The term arborescent describes tree-like structures, not just in botanical terms, but also tree-like structures used in data science and many different fields. So, this is a term that describes something that might remind you of a tree but is not necessarily a tree.”

In his art, Quayola often uses technology as a lens to explore the tensions and equilibriums between seemingly opposing forces: the real and artificial, figurative and abstract, old and new. 

“Often in my work, you see this sort of relationship between representation and abstraction, or forces that are completely opposite from one another. But somehow, I like to play with this idea that these opposites tend to find this harmonious balance. These are the forces that then ultimately go and guide my pictorial simulations,” he said.

Previous projection mappings at Casa Batlló have explored a variety of themes. Check out our behind-the-scenes look at the 2023 mapping as well as the 2024 mapping.

From Building to Living Architecture

To really understand how the building has evolved over the years, let’s take a look back at Casa Batlló’s history.

Casa Batlló was originally built in 1877 by Emilio Sala Cortés—back when there was still no electric light in Barcelona. In 1903, it was purchased by a textile industrialist who gave full creative freedom to architect Antoni Gaudí. Initially, there were plans to demolish the building and start fresh. But Gaudí proposed other ideas.

Thanks to Gaudí, the demolition was ruled out, and the building was instead reformed between 1904 and 1906. It was then that the architect completely changed the building’s façade to look like the building we see today.

Since the 1990s, the building has been in the hands of its current owners, the Bernat family, who have transformed Casa Batlló into an award-winning, immersive museum. In 1995, Casa Batlló opened to the public for the first time, and the building has been used for events ever since.

Quayola’s 2025 mapping perfectly aligned with the mission at Casa Batlló, which seeks to reinterpret architect Gaudi’s work through modern tech.

“Arborescent is a celebration of some of the inspirations that were behind Casa Batlló, taking the tree as the symbol of this growth. So, a little bit like how Gaudí's architecture doesn't feel like something designed and constructed and built, but rather something grown, my work tried to simulate that,” said Quayola.

Now in its fourth edition, Casa Batlló’s mapping event gathered 110,000 people in person! And for the first time, the mapping was broadcast live on TV3, reaching an additional audience of 225,000 viewers.

Watch the Full Mapping Here

To learn more about Quayola’s creative vision for the 2025 mapping, check out this video.

FAQ

How Do You Pronounce Casa Batlló?

The phonetic spelling of "Casa Batlló" is KAH-sah baht-YOH, but regional variations exist within Barcelona and Catalonia on pronunciations.

Where Exactly is Casa Batlló Located?

Casa Batlló is located in the center of Barcelona, Spain, on the Passeig de Gràcia in the Eixample district.

What’s the Best Time to Visit Casa Batlló?

If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona, it’s recommended to come between March to May, or September to November for a quieter holiday. Casa Batlló is open from 9am-9pm daily, but the best time to visit is in the mornings between 9-11am. If you’re not an early riser though, that’s no problem! Late afternoons, between 3-5pm, are ideal too.

Does Casa Batlló Have Other Nighttime Events?

Yes, Casa Batlló occasionally offers various nightly events. They host Magic Nights, which start in March or April each year, continuing through to late autumn. Tickets for 2025 are going on sale March 6. For a night of music and art, check out their official website for more details.

See how InnerGlow kicked off Lunar New Year in Hong Kong last month with another projection mapping show!

Photo Credit: Casa Batlló