Like other buildings in the area, such as the Felip House, the Burés House, the Casades Mansion, or the Cotton House hotel, the Calvet House was designed for a textile businessman. In those days they would have had the business on the ground floor and be living in the upper floors.

The owner typically lived on the main floor, called ‘Principal’, the most luxurious flor with the highest ceilings of the entire building. You can see that the gallery of this house is decorated with the initials of the owner's last name, an olive branch (symbol of peace), a cypress (symbol of hospitality) and the coat of arms of Catalonia.

The columns that flank the entrance are reminiscent of bobbins of thread and are an allusion to Calvet's textile business. Antoni Gaudí also designed the furniture in this house, with the organic and natural inspiration that he is known for. This furniture is at display in the Gaudí House-Museum at the Güell Park.

This building belongs to the naturalistic stage of the brilliant architect, inspired by the organic forms of nature, although with some additions to the Baroque.

An anecdote: The main facade was higher than what the regulations allowed. When Antoni Gaudí was informed of this problem, with his usual bad temper he refused to modify the project, threatening to cut the house's façade horizontally to the height indicated by the City Council. Luckily, it was not necessary!

If you want to enjoy other works by this architect, not far from here you can visit Batlló House or Milà House / La Pedrera.