This master builder - one of the most outstanding figures prior to Modernisme - qualified in 1853 and won a competition run by Barcelona Council in 1871 to construct Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona, then the only park in the city and the place where the Universal Exhibition of 1888 was to be held. It was in this space that the first buildings with a more clearly Modernista language were erected. His assistants included A. Gaudí and Cristòfor Cascante. He was responsible for the Waterfall (1874) and the Umbracle (Lath House, 1883-1884) in this park.

In Barcelona, he also designed the city's Central Market, later known as Mercat del Born (El Born Market, 1873-1876; Plaça Comercial, 12), several buildings in the vicinity (1880; Comercial, 3, 13, 17) and some residences, such as the Palau del Marquès de Santa Isabel (1883-1884; Passeig de Sant Joan, 39).

Outside Barcelona he drew up the first modern town plan for Lleida in 1865.