Modernity and locality in the use of brick in Spanish architecture (1870s–1930s)

This paper consists of three different but interconnected themes related to the brick use during the transition period into the modern construction. First, we overview the technological change and continuity, particularly focusing on the development of the Catalan vault and the introduction of the reinforced concrete construction in Catalonia and Madrid. Secondly, we analyze the transformation of the brick load-bearing walls in Modernist architecture, featuring especially several works of Domènechi Montaner. In the last section, we clarify the local difference of brick facades examining the brick bonds, dimension and the ornamental expression classifying 63 buildings built between 1870s and 1930s in Madrid and Catalonia. In conclusion, there were technical developments within brick construction itself in the transition period from tradition to modernity, but we could also say that there is continuity of expression within the transition from brick construction to modern construction.