Antoni Plàcid Guillem Gaudí i Cornet (25 June 1852–10 June 1926) – in English sometimes referred to by the

Spanish translation of his name, Antonio Gaudí [3][4][5] – was a Spanish Catalan [6] architect who belonged to
the Modernist style (Art Nouveau) movement and was famous for his unique and highly individualistic designs.
Birthplace
Antoni Gaudí was born in the province of Tarragona in southern Catalonia on 25 June 1852. While there is some
dispute as to his birthplace – official documents state that he was born in the town of Reus, whereas others claim
he was born in Riudoms, a small village 3 miles (5 km) from Reus,[2] – it is certain that he was baptized in Reus
a day after his birth. The artist's parents, Francesc Gaudí Serra and Antònia Cornet Bertran, both came from
families of coppersmiths.

During his youth, Gaudí suffered many times from the rheumatic fevers that were common at the time. This
illness caused him to spend much time in isolation, and it also allowed him to spend lots of time alone with
nature[1].

It was this exposure to nature at an early age which is thought to have inspired him to incorporate natural shapes
and themes into his later work.[7]

Higher education
As an architecture student at the Escola Tècnica Superior d'Arquitectura in Barcelona from 1873 to 1877, Gaudí
was not particularly outstanding, but did excellently in his 'Trial drawings and projects'.[8] After five years of
work, he was awarded the title of architect in 1878. As he signed the title, Elies Rogent declared, "Qui sap si
hem donat el diploma a un boig o a un geni: el temps ens ho dirà" ("Who knows if we have given this diploma to
a nut or to a genius. Time will tell.")

The newly-named architect immediately began to plan and design and would remain affiliated with the school
his entire life. Buildings form the majority of his works, many of which can be found in Barcelona.