Name	Casa Planells
Street	Diagonal 332
District
Place	Barcelona
Country	Spain
Built	1923
Designed	1920
Type	block of flats
Condition
Photos by	R.Saariste
Co-operating
Reference	Josep M.Jujol 124 J. M. Jujol by ir R. Saariste and ir V. Ligtelijn
Description	Jujol developed this block of flats together with his friend, the contractor Planells, and in fact they built dozens of 'casas de pisos' together in Barcelona. The design which was ultimately realized was Jujol's third plan for the site. Prior to that he had designed a house with a front garden there for a doctor. When the doctor pulled out, half the land was sold and a single family dwelling was designed for Planells himself. The third proposal came about because of Planells' deteriorating financial situation. It comprised a large maisonette for Planells, with three smaller maisonettes above and a studio in the attic. Building was started in 1923. The building has a sober concrete frame, filled in with plastered brickwork. The climate control was remarkable for its day. There are ventilation grilles in the retaining wall which can be opened whilst the roller shutters are down. The second level of the maisonette is so low that someone from the North of Europe would be likely to bump his head on the ceiling. The breastwork of the stair landings is only knee-high, to be in proper proportion with the height of the ceiling. After completion of the third story, the project was disposed of due to lack of funds. The fourth floor and penthouse were eventually built, but without any intervention from Jujol. Consequently they are entirely different from the original work, but that does not really matter.