Popular Architecture, Industrialization, and Urban Growth: The Modern Aesthetic Experience

Abstract

At the end of the nineteenth century, major European cities experienced a rapid population growth, doubling their inhabitants. This led to the construction of low-quality apartment blocks, known in Germany as Mietkasernen or “rental barracks.” In Spain, although on a smaller scale, similar problems were experienced, and plans were formulated to address them. In Madrid, starting in 1860, a major urbanization initiative was proposed aiming for orderly growth, with attention to hygiene, ventilation, and recreation. In Barcelona, Ildefons Cerdá promoted the Eixample, notable for its character and vision. Arturo Soria, in Madrid, promoted his own concept of urban expansion, notable in the working-class neighbourhood of Carabanchel. La Constructora Benéfica was an association that offered hygienic and affordable housing to workers, fostering habits of order and cleanliness. In Spain, the concept of housing evolved, influenced by European movements and a focus on popular architecture. Architects like Rafael Bergamín, Luis Lacasa, and Fernando García Mercadal marked the beginning of a progressive movement, influenced by Central European models. These architects sought an architecture that reflected both practical needs and cultural ideals. The article presents this modern aesthetic experience through the vision of Alfredo Baeschlin, a Swiss architect who also influenced Spain, especially in Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Valencia. His work combined an appreciation of popular culture with the creation of new architectural structures. Baeschlin and his fellow architects sought to integrate tradition and modernity, moving towards an architecture that responded to contemporary needs without losing sight of cultural heritage. This period of architectural transformation in Spain and Europe was marked by a tension between respect for tradition and the need for innovation, reflecting the social and economic changes of the time. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.