An elegant modernist building in the mountains north of Barcelona has been confirmed as a creation of Antoni Gaudí, Catalonia’s most famous architect. The Xalet del Catllaràs, about 80 miles from Barcelona, was built in 1905 to house engineers working in nearby coal mines. The chalet was commissioned by Eusebi Güell, Gaudí’s lifelong patron, who owned cement factories needing coal. For years, it was suspected but never confirmed that Gaudí designed the building. Now, research by Catalan heritage experts, led by Galdric Santana Roma, has proven Gaudí’s hand in its early design. Santana Roma said, “After much research we have concluded that the Xalet del Catllaràs is the work of Gaudí. However, this attribution is strictly limited to the initial stages of the project as Gaudí didn’t supervise the work which didn’t follow faithfully the original design.” The building features Gaudí’s natural style, with shapes inspired by plants and animals, seen later in his famous works like Park Güell and Casa Batllò. Its pointed arches also hint at the Sagrada Família’s design. Sònia Hernández Almodóvar, the Catalan culture minister, called the discovery "rigorous research which is of enormous value for our heritage" and said it enriches Gaudí’s legacy in the centenary year of his death. Gaudí, who died in 1926 after an accident, is best known for the still-unfinished Sagrada Família in Barcelona. The church’s final illuminated cross was installed in June, making its tallest tower 172.5 meters high and the tallest building in Barcelona. Work on the Sagrada Família continues, with about 10 more years to complete the Glory facade. The project faces challenges, including plans for a grand entrance stairway that would require rehousing thousands of residents in a busy city area.