Iconic Encounters: Barcelona
Report Of A Celebratory Second Edition
Our second edition of Iconic Encounters in Barcelona was a resounding success! Following a promising try-out in London, where we gathered all UK-based members last November, we achieved again a 100% turnout with representatives from all 15 Spanish member houses.
The goal of this gathering was to strengthen connections between our Spanish member museums, spark new collaborations, and welcome potential new members—modern house museums in Spain that align with the Iconic Houses mission.
Browse our photo report HERE.
Spain currently has 15 member museums, all featured in our Spain Special. In addition, there are around 20 more modern house museums across the country that meet our criteria and are warmly invited to join the network. Iconic Encounters: Barcelona was also open to international members—and we were thrilled to welcome as many participants from abroad as from Spain itself.
- 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
Guided Tour and Reception at Casa Gomis (La Ricarda)
On this sunny afternoon, we traveled by bus to Casa Gomis, also known as La Ricarda, in El Prat de Llobregat—just a short ride from the city and near the airport.
We were warmly welcomed with drinks and delicious appetizers, which almost made us forget about dinner altogether. The visit was made extra special thanks to the presence of Marita Gomis, daughter of the original owners, who, along with her sister Beatrice and their brother, and architect friend Mónica Ferrer, offered a personal and insightful tour of this modernist gem.
The house recently transitioned into the care of Spain’s Ministry of Culture (January 2024). The Gomis family was granted time until the end of March to collect personal belongings, allowing for this rare opportunity to experience La Ricarda in its authentic, lived-in state—an unforgettable glimpse into its remarkable history.
Friday, March 28th
Visit La Pedrera Apartment
Our day began bright and early at 8 a.m. with a special visit to the La Pedrera Apartment—timed perfectly to beat the crowds and enjoy the iconic rooftop in peace.
Expert Meeting The Future of House Museum Marketing:
Trends Strategies & Engagement
The morning expert meeting on current marketing trends for house museums was generously hosted by Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera. Dutch AI Adoption Consultant Maarten Mulder gave an inspiring presentation on the use of AI in heritage storytelling, highlighting Ask Dali—an innovative example of how a recorded voice can bring a long-gone artist back to life. Have a look here.
Eloi Morte, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer at Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera, shared valuable insights into attracting visitors from Asian markets, focusing on China, Korea, and Japan.
| Café La Pedrera. Photo: courtesy Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera. |
Lunch at Café La Pedrera
A sumptuous lunch at La Pedrera’s restaurant provided the perfect setting for our group to connect, exchange ideas, and enjoy inspiring conversations with fellow house museum professionals.
Tour of Ricardo Bofill's Taller de Arquitectura in Sant Just Desvern:
A highlight of our program was the visit to Ricardo Bofill’s iconic home and studio, La Fábrica, a former cement factory transformed into a breathtaking creative haven. Now run by Bofill’s two sons and their team of architects, the site still radiates his visionary spirit. We were especially wowed by the serene bamboo garden and the stunning “Catedral” space—an inspiring example of how industrial ruins can be reborn as places of beauty and imagination. En route, we also passed Walden 7, Bofill’s famous residential complex, home to around 1,000 people and a striking architectural landmark in its own right.
The bus brought us 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.
Introduction and House Tour Cases Barates del Bon Pastor
The afternoon program was hosted by the Barcelona History Museum, which manages the Cases Barates del Bon Pastor, —a remarkable neighborhood heritage project that opened in 2023. The museum tells the story of Barcelona’s 20th-century expansion districts. Four preserved houses showcase how interiors evolved over the decades, reflecting how residents adapted their homes to meet changing needs and circumstances. You can explore the fascinating history of this area through the link above or download the free publication 'Living in the Cases Barates, Bon Pastor, 1929-2010'.
What makes this project particularly special is its socially conscious approach: residents displaced by the demolition of their original homes were rehoused in new apartment buildings within the same neighborhood, without any increase in rent.
Book Launch: Les Cases Barates del MUHBA Bon Pastor
Història urbana i patrimoni ciutadà al Besòs. The launch of this new book on Cases Barates del Bon Pastor was joined by around 100 neighbours of the Bon Pastor neighbourhood. Although the book is on Spanish and the event was in Spanish our group was inteersted to witness how this project is supported by so many people who lived in the houses. a reception will conclude the day. The book is edited by Aina Mercader Sbert (196 pages, ISSN 2014-3532).
We thoroughly enjoyed meeting all Directors, Curators and Marketing & Communication professionals of the fifteen Iconic Houses in Spain:
Can Lis
Casa Batlló
Casa Bloc Apartment Museum
Casa Broner
Casa Botines
Casa Masó
Casa Milá/La Pedrera
Casa Moratiel
Cases Barates Bon Pastor
El Capricho de Gaudí
El Palauet
Casa Gomis/La Ricarda
Mas Miró
Museo Chillida Leku
Sert Studio
In addition, we connected 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), Pilsen (Semler Residence) and Čelákovice (Villa Volman). From Poland (Museum of Sopot), (Germany (Haus Rabe), the United Kingdom (Dorich House Museum) and from the United States (Sunnylands Center and Gardens).
Suggestions For Those Staying the Weekend
Saturday 29 March (by individual arrangement):
Casa Masó in Girona offered 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 was happy to greet our members at the museum. On top of that, Casa Masó offered attendees from our Barcelona encounter its newest publication complimentary, the hard-cover book Masó. Drawings..
They could also book a visit of Iconic Houses 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.
- El Palauet Royal Suites in Barcelona
- El Palauet Royal Suites in Barcelona
- El Palauet Royal Suites in Barcelona
- El Palauet Royal Suites in Barcelona
- El Palauet Royal Suites in Barcelona
- El Palauet Royal Suites in Barcelona
- El Palauet Royal Suites in Barcelona
- El Palauet Royal Suites in Barcelona
- El Palauet Royal Suites in Barcelona
Tuesday, April 1st
Networking Breakfast & Film Screening at El Palauet
Thanks to the support of the NBSO, we had the opportunity to invite new contacts and expand our network at the stunning El Palauet. It was incredibly valuable to meet representatives from the Lluís Domènech i Montaner Foundation, residents of homes designed by the renowned architect José Antonio Coderch, and a delegation from the municipality of Vandellòs (a village near Tarragona). Between 1967 and 1975, Antoni Bonet designed an entire neighborhood there—the Hifrensa settlement—with houses, a school, and a church for the engineers and workers at the local nuclear power plant. The community has already created a modest presentation to share the fascinating history of this project.
After breakfast, Iconic Houses founder and director Natascha Drabbe introduced the thematic film Pioneers of the Dutch Modern House, which was then screened for the group. The film highlights the Iconic Houses in the Netherlands. This screening was made possible with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO), DutchCulture, and El Palauet.
Supported by
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
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Sponsor in Kind
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Posted April 24, 2025