Carmen and the House That Gaudà Built is inspired by author Susan Hughesâs visit to Casa Batlló, a residence architect Antoni Gaudà built in Barcelona, Spain, in the early 1900s. The gist of the story is timeless: Carmen does not want her parents to uproot their family from the country to the city. The wild, beautiful woods is where Carmen roams with her imaginary friend, a salamander named Dragon. As the years unfold and the building of her familyâs new residence progresses, Carmen becomes acquainted with Gaudà and his vision. She warms to the idea of her new home in the city because it is not grey, straight, or stiff. Casa Batlló is instead characteristic of GaudÃâs organic, colourful architecture.