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Life:
Born in Barcelona in December 21 of year 1850, Lluís Domènech i Montaner shown from a young age his passion for architecture.
He initially study Physics and Natural Sciences, but after two courses in Madrid studying Engineering, he decided to study architecture. He was titled architect in Barcelona in 1873.
From his position as Professor and director in the Escola d'Arquitectura de Barcelona (Barcelona School of Architecture), he developed a big influence to expand the Modernisme (Art Nouveau).
The role of Domènech i Montaner (1849-1923) was essential to define the "Modernisme arquitectonic" (architectural Art Nouveau) in Catalonia. His article "En busca d'una arquitectura nacional" (In search of a national architecture), published in the review "La Renaixença", show the way to attempt a modern architecture expressing the national Catalan character.
His buildings shown a mixture between rationalism and a fabulous ornamentation  inspired in the hispano-arab architecture and in the  curvilinear design typical of Art Nouveau.
In the Restaurant of the Park de la Ciutadella of Barcelona (1888) (at present Museum of Zoology), he applied very advanced solutions (iron structure and ceramics) developed later in the Palau de la Música Catalana (1908) - who has a fantastic coverage of mosaic, ceramics and polychrome glasses -, and the buildings projected since this time.
That features are also present in he's biggest architectural ensembles: The Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona and the Institut Pere Mata in Reus.
An interesting characteristic of Domènech i Montaner works was the evolution towards lightness that is evident in the Palau de la Música Catalana. That fact is opposite to the weighted structures of Gaudí (see La Pedrera).
Lluís Domènech i Montaner died in Barcelona the 27-12-1923.

Collaborators:
Domènech i Montaner had, to develop his architecture, the help of the best Catalan specialists in all the applied specialties to the architecture, as architects, sculptors and craftsmen (Contractors, decorators, specialists in forge, smelters, carpenters, glassworkers, ceramists, plasterers,  etc.). All of them developed, in their respective specialties, an enormous work, essential to assure an extraordinary quality in the design of the architect. Naturally and given to the passed time and the historical vicissitudes, much of the information on that people had been lost, but still we can know many of these exceptional technicians and workers, some of which we mentioned next:

In Catalonia:

In Barcelona: 
Fuster House
Lamadrid House
Lleó Morera House  
Thomas House
Museum of Zoology
Editorial  Montaner i Simón
Sant Pau Hospital
Palau de la Música Catalana
Ramon Montaner Palace

In Canet de Mar:
Ateneu Obrer 
Domènech i Montaner House
Roure House (Ca la Bianga)
Santa Florentina Castle

In Olot:
Solà-Morales House

In Reus:
Gasull House   
Navàs House 
Rull House      
Pere Mata Institute 

Out of Catalonia:
Cemetery (Comillas-Spain)
"Tres caños" fountain (Comillas)
Gran Hotel (Palma de Mallorca)
Pontifícia University (Comillas)

Selected LINKS to other websites on Domènech i Montaner

Palau de la Musica Catalana by Lluis Domenech i Montanter  A web on "Palau de la Música Catalana" by Domènech i M.
Editorial Montaner i Simon by Domenech i Montaner  A web on the "Editorial Montaner i Simon" by Domènech i M.  
Domènech i Montaner  A biography on Domènech i Montaner   

Specific Bibliography on/by Domènech i Montaner