Casa Bartolí: A Sculptural Deviance from Reus's Modernist Landscape

Casa Bartolí, a local treasure in Reus, distinguishes itself from the architectural chronicles, standing out with a sculptural deviation from the prevalent modernist style. Commissioned in 1903 by Genaro Bartolí Codina and built by master builder Josep Subietas, the building was designed as a family home, deviating from the typical Modernist style prevalent during its era.

The building consists of a basement and three floors, featuring a symmetrical facade built completely in carved stone without the use of plaster. This facade is heavily decorated with geometric and vegetal shapes framing the openings. The top of the building is notable for its play of volumes created by the combination of vertical stone blocks. It also features the dense, curved, and silver-toned balconies typical of Reus's modernist houses.

The entrance and ground floor were modified in the mid-20th century to accommodate a commercial premises while respecting the house's scheme. A solitary corbel under the main floor balcony marks where an iron pit column once divided the wide access to the original premises. The entrance for neighbors was a narrow opening separated from the other access by a stone column.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons