Carballo-PORTFOLIO

03. Antoni Gaudí, Barcelona’s Flower Kiosk Reconstruction
Only ink drawings on manila paper signed by Antonio
Gaudi and a project description are the only documents
left of the selling flowers kiosk and toilets drafted
by Antoni Gaudí in May 14, 1878, requested by Mr.
Enrique Girossi. (Expediente de Fomento no. 873) These
documents were located in the Municipal Archives of
Barcelona until the year 1970, and currently located in
the Municipal Institute of History. So, availing myself of
the existing draft, and project description, I proceeded
to make a three-dimensional kiosk proposal. The goal
was to place the buildings at the same twenty different
locations described in the original project, creating a
tour of the “Barcelona of 1878” using the base map of
the city at the time.
The description stated that 20 kiosks were to be installed
at a cost of 8,500 pesetas each. Mr Girossi de
Sanctis, was offered to install these kiosks-toilets at various
points in the city of Barcelona. In exchange, he requested
exclusive concession and authorization to place
in, lighting signs with advertisement and a flower shops.
The description named marble iron and glass as
construction materials. Each kiosk measures 4 meters
long, 2.40 wide and 4 meters high, with a top canopy
that protects from sun and rain on all four sides so the
passersby could be entertained with advertising placed
in opaque glass walls, internally illuminated at night
with light gas. Each kiosk also includes a paid restroom
service with toilets, urinals, and sinks and with anan
area for cleaning and store natural flowers that would
operate day and night.
In the central part under the canopy, a rectangular
plate with a clock was located in the middle on both
sides of this calendar. Further down, a barometer and
a thermometer were also included.
Locations proposed for Girossi’s Kiosk by Gaudi in
Barcelona City in1878:
1. Rambla del Centro, in front of Café Nacional
2. Rambla del Centro, in front of Casa Subiela
3. La Boqueria in front of La Virreina
4. Rambla de los estudios
5. End of rambla de canaletas
6. Entrance of Paseo de Gracia
7. Av. Gran Vía and Aragón Street
8. San Agustín Square,
9. Universidad Square
10. Nueva Square
11. Claris Street
12. Urquinaona Square (formerly San Sebastián)
13. El Borne Market
14. Paseo de San Juan (lower part)
15. Real Square
16. San Jaime Square
(01) (02)
(03)
(01) Final render of the Girossi’s kiosks
designed by Gaudi
(02) Photo montage of the Girossi’s kiosk
over Paseo de Ggracia boulevard
at Barcelona City
(03) Unique original document available
from Gaudi’s project, this is an ink
drawing on paper of the facade and
the schematic floor plan.