Jean Nouvel drew inspiration from Spanish architect Antonio Gaudí when he designed the cylindrical Agbar Tower in Barcelona, Spain. Like much of Gaudí's work, the Agbar Tower is based on the catenary curve - a parabola shape formed by a hanging chain. Jean Nouvel explains that the shape evokes the mountains of Montserrat surrounding Barcelona, and also suggests the shape of a rising geyser of water. The Agbar Tower is often described as phallic, earning the structure an assortment of off-color nicknames. Because of its unusual shape, the Agbar Tower has been compared to Sir Norman Foster's "Gherkin tower" in London.
The Agbar Tower is constructed of reinforced concrete sheathed with red and blue glass panels, reminiscent of the colorful tiles on buildings by Antonio Gaudí. At night, the Agbar Tower is brilliantly illuminated with LED lights shining from more than 4,500 window openings. Glass blinds are motorized. They open and close automatically to regulate temperature inside the building.
Measuring 473.75 feet (144.4 meters) tall, the Agbar Tower has 38 storeys, including four underground levels.
