Iconic Encounters: Barcelona

Mark your Calendar for our Next Edition

Thursday and Friday March 27th-28th, 2025

Our next edition of Iconic Encounters in Barcelona is coming closer. With this encounter we aim to strengthen the bond between the existing member museums in Spain and to encourage new collaborations. Also invited are modern house museums in Spain that fit our criteria to join Iconic Houses.

Spain counts 14 member museums to date (9 of which are in Catalunya) and there are around 20 eligible house museums that are welcome to join this event as well. Iconic Encounters: Barcelona is also explicitly open to be joined by Iconic Houses members from other countries.

• Casa Gomis/La Ricarda, Antonio Bonet, photo Adria Goula.
• Casa Gomis/La Ricarda, Antonio Bonet, photo Adria Goula.
• Casa Gomis/La Ricarda, Antonio Bonet, photo Adria Goula.
• Casa Milà/La Pedrera, Antoni Gaudí. Photo: courtesy Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera.
• Casa Milà/La Pedrera, Antoni Gaudí. Photo: courtesy Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera.
• Casa Milà/La Pedrera, Antoni Gaudí. Photo: courtesy Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera.
• La Fábrica. Photo: courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura.
• La Fábrica. Photo: courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura.
• La Fábrica. Photo: courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura.
• La Fábrica. Photo: courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.

• Casa Gomis/La Ricarda, Antonio Bonet, photo Adria Goula.
• Casa Gomis/La Ricarda, Antonio Bonet, photo Adria Goula.
• Casa Gomis/La Ricarda, Antonio Bonet, photo Adria Goula.
• Casa Milà/La Pedrera, Antoni Gaudí. Photo: courtesy Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera.
• Casa Milà/La Pedrera, Antoni Gaudí. Photo: courtesy Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera.
• Casa Milà/La Pedrera, Antoni Gaudí. Photo: courtesy Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera.
• La Fábrica. Photo: courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura.
• La Fábrica. Photo: courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura.
• La Fábrica. Photo: courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura.
• La Fábrica. Photo: courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.

Thursday, March 27th, 4-7pm

Guided tour and reception at Casa Gomis / La Ricarda in El Prat de Llobregat (close to the airport).
We will leave Barcelona together by bus at 4pm and will be back in the city for early dinner (by individual arrangement). Before the transfer of the house to Spain's Ministry of Culture earlier this month, the family was so busy that they did not get around to clearing the house of their personal belongings (photos etc.). The Ministry has given the family permission until the end of March to do so, which makes it possible for them to receive our group. Our contact Marita Gomis, the daughter of the original owners is going to give us a tour. Appetizers and refreshments are being served.

Friday, March 28th, 8am-6:30pm

8am - Visit La Pedrera Apartment:
Our day starts with a visit of the La Pedrera Apartment.

9am-12:30pm - Expert Meeting:
The Future of House Museum Marketing: Trends Strategies & Engagement
Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera will host an expert meeting on current marketing trends for house museums.

12:30-1:15pm Lunch

1:15pm Bus departs

2-3pm - Tour of Ricardo Bofill's Taller de Arquitectura, Sant Just Desvern:
Ricardo Bofill’s iconic home studio La Fábrica in a former cement factory.
Included are:
• Sala Cubica (Ricardo Bofill’s living room)
• Sala Rosa (Ricardo Bofill’s small living room)
• La Catedral

Bus to the Sant Andreu district: although outside the city centre, it is steeped in the essence of Catalonia: picturesque spots, history, centuries-old shops and futuristic amenities blend harmoniously.

4-5:30pm - House Tour Cases Barates del Bon Pastor:
The afternoon tour will be hosted by our network's newest Barcelona member, Cases Barates del Bon Pastor, which is open since 2023. This initiative is managed by the Barcelona History Museum.
We recommend to checking out their website via the above link that tells the history of this neighbourhood, or to download this free publication about 'Living in the Cases Barates, Bon Pastor, 1929-2010'.

5:30-6:30pm - Book Launch:
A new book on Cases Barates del Bon Pastor project will be launched and a reception will conclude the day. Appetizers and refreshments are being served.

We look forward to meeting all Directors, Curators and/or Marketing & Communication professionals of the thirteen member house museums in Spain that Iconic Houses counts to date.
These museums have already confirmed their attendance:
Can Lis
Casa Bloc Apartment Museum
Casa Broner
Casa Botines
Casa Masó
Casa Milá/La Pedrera
Casa Moratiel
Cases Barates Bon Pastor
El Capricho de Gaudí
Casa Gomis / La Ricarda
Mas Miró
Museo Chillida Leku
Sert Studio

In addition, you'll meet with Iconic Houses members from Mexico City (Casa Estudio Max Cetto), Vienna (Haus Rietveld in Werkbundsiedlung, representatives of modern house museums from the Czech Republic: from Prague (Laichter House, Villa Winternitz), Brno (Villa Tugendhat), Pilsen (Semler Residence) and Čelákovice (Villa Volman). From Germany (Haus Rabe), the United Kingdom (Dorich House Museum) and from the United States (Sunnylands Center and Gardens).
Also invited are the representatives of circa 10 other modern house museums in Spain that fit our criteria. 

Costs:
Through our partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Madrid, Dutch|Culture and our partner museums in Barcelona, we have been able to keep costs as low as possible. Admission is estimated now €85 for Iconic Houses members (€185 for aspiring members) and includes all house tours, coffee/tea, lunch, evening reception, film screening and transportation between venues from La Pedrera to Casa Gomis on Thursday and back and from La Pedrera in the morning on Friday to Cases Barates at the end of the day.

Tuesday, April 1st

Our thematic film Pioneers of the Dutch Modern House will be screened, featuring the Iconic Houses in the Netherlands. This screening is supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Suggestions for those who stay the weekend in Barcelona:

Saturday 29 March (by individual arrangement):
Casa Masó in Girona offers an optional free guided tour in English of Casa Masó to any members that wish to extend their stay and visit Girona on Saturday. It’s just a 40-minute ride on the high-speed train from Barcelona and director Jordi Falgàs will be happy to greet you at the museum. On top of that, Casa Masó offers attendees from our Barcelona encounter its newest publication, the hard-cover book Masó. Drawings., complimentary. To register for a 12 a.m. tour simply email info@rafaelmaso.org indicating “Iconic Houses Tour 3/29” in the topic line, and provide your name and which Iconic House you represent.

Book a visit of our member Casa Bloc Museum-Apartment in Barcelona.
The Disseny Hub Barcelona organizes guided tours on Saturdays at 11 a.m. (duration 1 hour 30 minutes) of one of the apartments of the Casa Bloc, one of the most outstanding examples of rationalist architecture in Barcelona. Address: C. de l’Almirall Pròixida on the corner with Passeig de Torras i Bages (Barri de Sant Andreu, Barcelona).
Cost: €5 per person. Buy your TICKET here.

Supported by

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Sponsor in kind

Organized by

Posted January 31, updated February 18, 2025