Casa Escofet

The Escofet, Fortuny i Cia flooring factory was founded in 1886 by Jaume Escofet Milà (Pont d'Armentera 1862 - Barcelona 1904), who went into partnership with Teòtim Fortuny. Prior to that, Jaume Escofet had worked for one of the most important firms of that time, Orsola Solà.
The new factory became the leading producer of hydraulic flooring in Spain due to the variety of its products. In 1885 T. Fortuny set up on his own and the firm changed its name to Escofet i Tejera. However it continued to be one of the most prestigious and productive companies, as can be seen from the fact that it established itself in other cities such as Seville and Madrid. At first, its shop, decorated by J. Pascó, was at Ronda de la Universitat, 8, but it later moved to number 20 in the same street, where it still has its headquarters.
In 1900 it published a catalogue featuring designs by such well-known artists as A. de Riquer, E. Sagnier, J. Pascó, J. Puig i Cadafalch, A. Rigalt, A. Gaudí and L. Domènech i Montaner.
One of the pieces for which the company was most famous was the tile originally designed by A.Gaudí for Casa Batlló (1904; Passeig de Gràcia, 43), but which was eventually employed on La Pedrera (1906-1910; Passeig de Gràcia, 92 - Provença, 261-265). In 2002 Barcelona City Council used the design for the paving stones in Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona.