The architectural career of Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano spanned the transformative decades of the nineteenth century in Spain. After completing his formal qualifications in Madrid in 1852, he established a professional practice that balanced public infrastructure projects with ecclesiastical commissions across Catalonia, eventually serving as a prominent educator and diocesan architect in Barcelona until the turn of the century.
Early Career and Public Appointments
Villar y Lozano obtained his architectural training at the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid. Shortly after qualifying, he relocated to Barcelona, where he integrated into the city's academic institutions. He became an elected member of the Reial Acadèmia Catalana de Belles Arts de Sant Jordi and the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona. His public work gained urgency in 1854 when he designed emergency hospitals to assist victims of a cholera epidemic. His leadership in the field extended to the presidency of the Association of Architects and the directorship of the Higher School of Architecture.
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Serving as diocesan architect from 1874 to 1892, he oversaw numerous significant building projects. His work included restorations of the church of Santa Maria del Pi, the Basílica de Santa Maria de Vilafranca, and the Casa de Misericòrdia. He was responsible for the design of various parish churches and the apse of the basilica of the Monastery of Montserrat. During this period, Antoni Gaudí served under his direction in a junior capacity on the Montserrat commission.
The Sagrada Família Commission
In 1877, the Associació de Devots de Sant Josep commissioned Villar y Lozano to design the Sagrada Família in Barcelona. He produced a Neo-Gothic plan and oversaw the construction of the crypt. By 1883, internal conflicts regarding the project's direction involving the promoter José Maria Bocabella and advisor Joan Martorell led to his departure. Following his resignation, Martorell declined to take over the project and subsequently recommended Antoni Gaudí, who assumed leadership of the site.
Fast facts
- Born: 1827, Murcia
- Died: 1901, Barcelona
- Occupations: Architect, librarian
- Citizenship: Spain
- Diocesan architect tenure: 1874-1892
- Burial site: Poblenou Cemetery
- Primary design style: Neo-Gothic
Questions readers ask
What was his relationship with Antoni Gaudí?
Gaudí worked under him in a junior capacity on the project for the apse of the basilica of the Monastery of Montserrat.
Why did he leave the Sagrada Família project?
He resigned in 1883 following disagreements with Joan Martorell, the architect advising the project's promoter.
