Gaudí: Windows on the Future

GAUDÍ WINDOWS ON THE FUTURE 未来をひらく窓

Learning from Gaudí’s creatively
rich windows to envision the openings
of tomorrow.

Antoni Gaudí (1878)

As part of its ongoing commitment to architectural culture and social contribution, YKK AP—the Japanese window manufacturer guided by the purpose 'We build a better society through architectural products' —presents Gaudí: Windows on the Future, a project exploring the window designs of architect Antoni Gaudí from multifaceted perspectives alongside researchers and specialists, through a special collaboration with a number of Gaudí-designed UNESCO World Heritage Sites and landmarks.

In 2026, the centenary year of his passing, Gaudi’s windows will connect Barcelona, Tokyo, and Toyama to the world as we contemplate the meaning that windows bring to architecture and the future possibilities they hold.

EXHIBITIONS IN SPAIN

BARCELONA

Learn about Gaudí’s Windows at
UNESCO World Heritage Site Palau Güell

Palau Güell
©Pere Vivas / Triangle Books
Palau Güell
©Pere Vivas / Triangle Books
Palau Güell
©Pere Vivas / Triangle Books

Dates: Tuesday, 21 April – Sunday, 25 October 2026
Venue: Palau Güell (Barcelona)
Organisers: Palau Güell (Barcelona Provincial Council) and YKK AP
Parent Events: Gaudí Year (Any Gaudí), UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture, and Catalonia-Japan Year (Any Catalunya-Japó)

Gaudí: Windows on the Future

Much remains unknown about the meanings behind the innovative architectural designs of Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926). To commemorate the centenary year of Gaudí’s passing, UNESCO World Heritage Site Palau Güell will present an exhibition of his early works through to the Sagrada Família, focusing on a key element of his architecture that offers clues to help us better appreciate his creativity, innovativeness, and vision of realizing integrated works of art: the window.

The exhibition seeks to highlight the appeal of Gaudí’s creative and innovative windows from various angles through a presentation of original window fixtures and stained-glass pieces, Gaudí’s handmade models and drawings, excerpts from studies by various researchers and specialists, interactive models and replicas of windows and handles, and documentary videos.

Visit PALAU GÜELL website

Keep an eye out for related pop-up exhibitions
and events at the various Gaudí sites!

Casa Batlló
©Pere Vivas / Triangle Books
Casa Vicens
©Pere Vivas / Triangle Books
Colònia Güell
©Pere Vivas / Triangle Books
Colònia Güell
©Pere Vivas / Triangle Books

Pop-Up Exhibitions and Events
April – October 2026

Venues (subject to change):
Casa Batlló
Casa Vicens
Colònia Güell
Bellesguard

Details about the pop-up exhibitions and events at each Gaudí site will be announced on this website.

Gaudí Window
Nights

YKK AP
& CASA BATLLÓ

During June 2026, the centenary month of Gaudí’s passing, YKK AP is collaborating with Casa Batlló to offer Platinum Tickets, which grant free admission, courtesy of YKK AP.

Inspired by Gaudí’s windows, these exclusive night viewings invite the public to enjoy Casa Batlló in a uniquely poignant atmosphere. Participants will also receive a YKK AP Gaudí: Windows on the Future Fastening Strap as a complimentary gift.

Aimed at fostering access to architectural culture by bringing people closer to the World Heritage Site, this initiative reinforces YKK AP’s commitment to sharing with society the values of design, craftsmanship, and innovation manifested in the window, a key element of architecture.

Details will be announced on the Casa Batlló website at a later date.

Visit CASA BATLLÓ website

GAUDÍ ARCHITECTURE

MAP

EXHIBITIONS IN JAPAN

TOKYO

Gaudí: Windows on the Future

Dates: Saturday, 16 May – Sunday, 12 July 2026
Closed on: Tuesday, 26 May and Tuesday, June 23 2026
Venue: 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT Gallery 3 (Tokyo Midtown)
Hours: 10:00 – 19:00
Admission: Free

Organiser: YKK AP

Parent Events:
Tokyo Architecture Festival and Catalonia-Japan Year (Any Catalunya-Japó)

*The exhibition is scheduled to travel to Toyama.

Visit 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT website

Book

Gaudí: Windows on the Future

Production & editing: YKK AP
Publisher: Triangle Books
Languages: English with Spanish, Catalan, and Japanese translations

Commemorating the centenary year of Gaudí’s passing, this book presents the most distinctive windows from his early works to the Sagrada Família through beautiful photographs, design materials, and essays by researchers and specialists, inviting readers to contemplate the future of architecture through the architect’s creative and innovative windows.

Further information:

VISIT TRIANGLE POSTALS WEBSITE

*In Japan, the book will be available for purchase at exhibitions and related events organized by YKK AP.

Documentary Video

Gaudí: Windows on the Future

YKK AP
2026
Languages: English, Spanish, Catalan, and Japanese

This documentary video sets out to reimagine the future possibilities of architecture from the window by exploring the rich world of Gaudí’s window designs through multifaceted perspectives presented in interviews with researchers and specialists, including individuals directly involved in the construction and conservation of his work.