In a bold move that bridges a storied past with a dynamic future, Casa Batlló is set to open a significant new exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art. Located on the building’s second floor, a 230 m² area closed for decades has been entrusted to the Barcelona-based architecture firm Mesura for a sensitive transformation. This initiative, part of the Casa Batlló Contemporary program, will inaugurate on 31 January 2026, establishing a new cultural hub in the heart of Barcelona and offering a fresh platform for dialogue with Antoni Gaudí’s legacy.
The inaugural exhibition, titled Beyond the Façade, will feature the acclaimed London-based collective United Visual Artists (UVA), founded by artist Matt Clark. Renowned for their immersive installations that blend art, architecture, and technology, UVA will present an exploration of life’s cycles through light and movement. Coinciding with the opening, UVA will also unveil a major new projection mapping artwork on Casa Batlló’s iconic façade, a piece conceived as a prologue to the indoor exhibition and part of the house’s annual public art event.
The architectural redesign of the space, led by Mesura, carefully navigates the delicate balance between preservation and innovation. The original features, including the historic woodwork and stained glass, have been meticulously restored. The most striking new intervention is a curved metal ceiling, screen-printed with concentric ripples that evoke a drop of water and was produced using robotic technology. “Our goal was to create an echo of his work, a whisper that adds to his universe without altering it,” explains Carlos Dimas, partner at Mesura, highlighting the respectful architectural dialoguewith Gaudí’s genius.
This project reinforces Casa Batlló’s dual commitment to rigorous conservation and cultural innovation. By converting a space once used for residential and conservation purposes into a public gallery, the museum affirms its identity as a living, evolving 21st-century heritage site. “We aspire for Casa Batlló to remain a cultural beacon both locally and globally,” says Gary Gautier, General Director of Casa Batlló, noting the particular significance of the 2026 opening, which coincides with the centenary of Gaudí’s death and Barcelona’s role as World Capital of Architecture.
The new Casa Batlló gallery will host two major contemporary art exhibitions per year, accessible either as part of the full visitor experience or with a standalone ticket. The project, a decade in the making originating from the site’s Master Plan, represents a profound step in reinterpreting Gaudí’s legacy for a new generation. It promises to be a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the evolving conversation between historic architecture and the avant-garde in one of the world’s most celebrated Barcelona landmarks.