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Atlas Obscura - Latest • Jan. 30, 2026, 7:15 p.m.
Hotel Porta Fira in Barcelona, Spain
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Japanese architect Toyo Ito is known for his playful modern architecture that can often be described as one-of-a-kind. Exemplary of his work is the Hotel Porta Fira near Barcelona, which undoubtedly sticks out like a sore thumb amidst a fairly generic ensemble of skyscrapers.
(This is rather ironic considering that Ito insists "architecture must blend in with its environment.") The hotel's curved red shape is meant to be reminiscent of a lotus flower or tree, the latter of which was also a frequent inspiration for Catalonia's favorite architect, Antoni Gaudí. As such, the tower could be considered an homage of sorts to his organic style.
The Hotel Porta Fira and the neighboring Torre Realia BCN, also co-designed by Ito, are also homages to the Venetian Towers at Barcelona's Plaça d'Espanya. (They in turn are evidently modeled after St.
(This is rather ironic considering that Ito insists "architecture must blend in with its environment.") The hotel's curved red shape is meant to be reminiscent of a lotus flower or tree, the latter of which was also a frequent inspiration for Catalonia's favorite architect, Antoni Gaudí. As such, the tower could be considered an homage of sorts to his organic style.
The Hotel Porta Fira and the neighboring Torre Realia BCN, also co-designed by Ito, are also homages to the Venetian Towers at Barcelona's Plaça d'Espanya. (They in turn are evidently modeled after St.
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