Google Celebrates 161st birthday Of Antoni Gaudi With A Doodle

Google celebrates 161st birth anniversary of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi on 25th June with a Doodle. Gaudi is noted for his distinctive style of works, which have taken shape in the form of some iconic buildings and other structures in Barcelona. His works are a reflection of his biggest passions that are architecture, nature and religion. He also has been credited for the introduction of new techniques in the treatment of materials, such as trencadis, made of waste ceramic pieces.

Gaudi's works finds admirers amongst architects and the general public alike. Visitors rush in to Barcelona every year to see his works such as Sagrada Familia - Roman Catholic Church, Park Guell - step gardens, Casa Batllo, a mansion on the city's Passeig de Gracia, amongst others. Sagrada Familia is perhaps his most famous work, it still remains uncompleted but is one of the most visited monuments in Spain. 7 of his works have been declared as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Gaudí's Roman Catholic faith was had a profound impact in is works, earning him the nickname "God's Architect".

Gaudi studied architecture at the Llotja School and the Barcelona Higher School of Architecture, graduating in 1878. Soon after graduation, he took on his first projects that were lampposts he designed for the Placa Reial in Barcelona, unfinished Girossi newsstands and the Cooperativa Obrera Mataronense building. But his biggest break came when he got commission for Casa Vicens - a family residence in Barcelona. This gained him a wider recognition and eventually would lead him to become one of Spain's most celebrated architects.

Gaudi had a rather tragic and untimely death. While taking a daily walk to the Sant Felip Neri church for his habitual prayer and confession, he was hit by a passing tram. Gaudi passed away on 10 June 1926 at the age of 73, as his condition started to deteriorate after the accident.