When it comes to Barcelona, the must-see landmark at the top of the list is Gaudí’s masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia. The construction of Gaudí’s unique masterpiece, to which he dedicated 43 years of his life, has been ongoing for over 140 years. The construction process took so long that the earliest parts of the building had to be restored before the building was even completed.
The Story of La Sagrada Familia
The project’s initial architect was Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano, but due to disagreements with the supporters, the 31-year-old Antoni Gaudí was appointed to this role in 1883. The original plan for the cathedral, designed by Villar in Gothic style, had ogival windows, buttresses, flying buttresses, and a pointed bell tower.
Gaudí brought his own interpretation to the project, using more organic forms and lighter tones in the structure. Instead of the flying buttresses, a hallmark of Gothic architecture, the structure is supported internally with slanted columns. This allowed for more natural light to enter from the outside, and with the support of stained glass, light plays could be created inside the space.
Gaudí designed the church with three distinct façades: the Nativity on the east, dedicated to the birth of Jesus; the Passion on the west, symbolizing the crucifixion of Jesus; and the Glory on the south, still unfinished, representing the path to God. Thus, the structure essentially tells visitors stories from the Bible. During the tour, the numerous divine figures intricately carved into the stones give visitors a constant feeling of missing a part of the story.
Gaudí was involved in the construction process of the first and most magnificent façade, the Nativity, but in later stages, other architects had to take over. Mark Burry, one of the architects on the La Sagrada Familia construction team, describes this structure as “a giant sculpture within the city.” Although La Sagrada Familia is not yet completed, it is already listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Idea Behind Sagrada Familia: The Hanging Chain Model
Gaudí designed this massive structure far ahead of his time, using chains and weighted ropes to conduct scaled experiments. The experiments Gaudí conducted on the load-bearing capacity of the structure became the precursor to the model known today as Gaudí’s Hanging Chain, which has inspired many projects.
The model was flipped upside down and brought to an upright position using a mirror and photography, guiding the design of the structure’s skeleton. Guided by the model, Gaudí designed the structure using inclined columns, hyperboloids, parabolas, helicoids, and conoids, thus eliminating the need for buttresses.
The Hanging Chain Model, an early example of parametric design, is known as a technique that was used long before the invention of drawing programs and even the computer. The most important aspect of the experiment is the ability to modify parameters, with the model providing simultaneous results based on the three-dimensional optimal design with each change. If the endpoint of a chain is moved to enlarge or reduce, for example, the floor plan in one corner, the shape of the entire hanging chain model shifts and settles into a new geometry.
Gaudí’s Natural Inspiration in La Sagrada Familia Design
As everyone knows, Gaudí was deeply fond of nature and frequently drew inspiration from natural forms in many of his works. In fact, many visitors have remarked that the first impression they get upon entering La Sagrada Familia is that it resembles a forest. They’re not entirely wrong, but it’s important to remember that all these ideas serve a functional purpose.
For example, the columns in the structure resemble the natural branching of limbs from a trunk, adding both aesthetic appeal and stability to the building. One of the organic forms frequently utilized was the catenary curve, a shape found widely in nature. When a string is suspended between two points, it naturally hangs in a catenary curve. Flipped upside down, this curve forms an exceptionally strong arch structure.
Gaudí expressed his thoughts on this with the words, “The creation continues incessantly through the media of man. But man does not create…he discovers. Those who look for the laws of Nature as a support for their new works collaborate with the creator.”
Today at La Sagrada Familia
After Gaudí’s death, the continuation of La Sagrada Familia became a major debate. Ultimately, it was decided to carry on with the project, guided by the architect’s vision, sketches, and plaster models he left behind. In recent years, architects, engineers, and craftsmen have employed modern digital design and construction technologies to advance the cathedral’s construction. This approach aims to complete the building more swiftly while staying true to Gaudí’s original design.
When construction began, La Sagrada Familia was situated outside the city; today, the same location has become a central tourist hub in Barcelona. While construction of the cathedral continues, it remains open to visitors and welcomes millions of tourists each year. Visitors to La Sagrada Familia can view the original Hanging Chain Model and the cathedral’s architectural plans in the exhibition hall, as well as visit Gaudí’s tomb in the crypt.
Gaudí passed away in 1926 after being hit by a tram and succumbing to his injuries three days later. His innovative models have since inspired countless projects, and his bold designs continue to influence architects worldwide. Today, many people visit Barcelona specifically to experience Gaudí’s works up close, so much so that the city is often referred to as “Gaudí’s city.”
To explore Barcelona and Gaudí’s other creations, you can read the Parametric Architecture Barcelona City Guide. For those interested in the latest architectural techniques, online courses taught by selected instructors at PAACADEMY are also available. Additionally, you can visit the Parametric Architecture Instagram page and YouTube channel to view this article’s reel and discover even more.
Antoni Gaudí once said about La Sagrada Familia, “The Sagrada Familia is made by the people and is mirrored in them. It is a work that is in the hands of God and the will of the people.” While the basilica is widely recognized as Gaudí’s masterpiece, it is essential to remember that this 150-year endeavor is the collective work of many – from the project’s first architect, Francisco de Paula del Villar, to all the engineers, architects, artisans, donors, and contributors who have played a part in bringing Gaudí’s vision to life.
