Javier Barba belongs to the fourth generation of a dynas ty of Catalan architects that began with his great-great grandfather, Francisco Barba Masip, who was one of the favorite students of Antoni Celles, professor emeritus at La Llotja, the first school of architecture in Barcelona.
This school standardized the use of the neoclassic style as a compositional framework for solving the inherent problems of architectural projects at a time when meas ures were being taken to improve and professionalize the guild structure that had prevailed since the Middle Ages. Francisco Barba Masip subsequently became the architect for the province of Tarragona and one of those in charge of refurbishing Poblet Monastery, as well as designing several buildings in a neoclassic style.
Javier’s grandfather was the architect and builder Alfon so Barba Miracle, who designed several buildings in an Art Nouveau or eclectic style, many of which are located in the Eixample district of Barcelona. He is also the son of another architect, Francisco Juan Barba Corsini, one of the most prominent members of the modern movement in Spain who bequeathed such prominent works for historiography as the apart ments of La Pedrera and the Mitre Building. Finally, Javi er Barba is the father of yet another architect, Gabriel Barba.
His library includes the books that have been gathered throughout 150 years of architectural practice.
Francisco Barba Masip (1815 – 1890) Francisco Barba Miracle (1898 – 1960) Francisco Barba Corsini (1916 – 2008)
