CaixaForum

© Greg Gladman / Time Out

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One of the masterpieces of industrial Modernisme, this former yarn and textile factory was designed by Puig i Cadafalch and will celebrate its centenary in 2011. It spent most of the last century in a sorry state, briefly acting as a police barracks before falling into dereliction. Fundació La Caixa, the charitable arm of Catalonia's largest savings bank, bought it and set about rebuilding. The original brick structure was supported, while the ground below was excavated to house a strikingly modern entrance plaza by Arata Isozaki, a Sol LeWitt mural, an auditorium, a bookshop and a library. In addition to the permanent contemporary art collection, there are three impressive spaces for temporary exhibitions - often among the most interesting shows to be found in the city.

Other notable Puig i Cadafalch buildings in the city include the Els Quatre Gats café and the Casa Àmatller.