He trained as a master builder in Barcelona, but qualified as an architect in Madrid. While he was studying he travelled to several European countries, often with his great friend L. Domènech i Montaner.

A large part of his work prior to 1893 is regarded as Pre-Modernista, its style evolving with the use of Classical and Neo-Gothic features, as well as elements of Japonism, which influenced Modernista artists. In Barcelona this work includes Casa Enric Batlló (1895-1896; Passeig de Gràcia, 75; now Hotel Condes de Barcelona) and Casa Bruno Cuadros (1883; Rambla, 82), both in Barcelona, and the Arc de Triomf (1888; Triumphal Arch, Passeig de Lluís Companys).

He was not an innovative architect in his conception of space, but he was as far as decoration was concerned due to his use of ornamental motifs of diverse origin, stained glass for windows and doors, wrought iron, etc.

He worked on several projects with L. Domènech i Montaner in the 1870s. The buildings known as Cases Cabot (1901-1904; Roger de Llúria, 8-10 and 12-14), commissioned by J. Cabot, are considered a fully Modernista work.