Detached family houses, whether in urban contexts or in holiday areas—what in Barcelona are known as torres—were something on which Sagnier worked throughout his life, but unfortunately some of the best examples have not resisted the assaults of speculators and have disappeared. This fact lends particular importance to this remarkable work, which stands on the slopes of the Tibidabo mountain and is plainly visible from large parts of the city.

The El Pinar estate, which occupies an enviable position, owes its name to the pine copse that was preserved when this summer residence for the banker Manuel Arnús was built, along with its neighbouring garage and porter’s lodge. Built with good stone from Montjuïc, set off with scratchwork and tiles, this torre stands prominently on a high spur that is open to the four winds. The outlines of its various volumes are markedly picturesque in style; the shape of the towers and the trefoil openings lends it a vaguely mediaeval air, while the gallery harks back to the traditional Catalan farmhouse, the masia. The carved stone ornamentation employs the naturalist repertoire that Sagnier was using at the same period on the nearby church of the Sagrat Cor, with pinnacles that simulate stony incrustations or splintered wood.

Some of the craftsmen and companies who regularly worked on Sagnier’s buildings made contributions to the interior, such as Carles Torrebadell (wrought ironwork), Antoni Rigalt (stained glass), Pujol & Bausis (ceramics) and Joan Pujol (sculpture); the furniture is attributed to Joan Busquets.