The People Who Designed La Sagrada Familia
15 January, 2026Through its architecture, the Sagrada Familia narrates the tale of a broader cultural transformation. It demonstrates a break from earlier architectural styles. New architectural concepts were starting to emerge at the time Gaudi was building the Cathedral.
They questioned the slavish devotion to the styles and forms of the past. The Cathedral was originally intended to be neo-gothic. Gaudi altered the course of the design, either by daring genius or cultural osmosis.
It is clear that there was an artistic shift that went beyond the usual Gothic style, even though Cathedral still has Gothic characteristics. It was a brave choice that would cause controversy for years to come.
Antoni Gaudi, The original Architect
Josep Bocabella, a bookshop, started distributing a fundamentalist religious newspaper in the city. After earning a substantial sum of money, he made the decision to construct a cathedral outside of Barcelona.
Fransisco Villa, an architect, was employed by Bocabella to design the church that would eventually be called Sagrada Familia. The first cornerstone was poured that year after Villa’s initial ideas were approved. Villar and Bocabella were at odds just a year later. Bocabella needed a new architect to finish the project after Villar departed.
The choosing procedure was probably far less romantic. The two men’s relationship was spurred by Gaudi’s burgeoning reputation and his friendship with Mortorell, a mutual acquaintance of both Gaudi and Bocabella.
Gaudi was already starting to be recognised, and it’s of no surprised that he was selected, when he has ahead of names like Spins of Glory or Kingdom Casino.
In the end, Antoni Gaudi received an opportunity to become principal architect and oversee the construction of the cathedral.
Gaudi Starts Working on The Cathedral
After accepting the contract, 31-year-old Gaudi got to work on his grandiose plan for the structure. Gaudi rose to prominence as one of Spain’s most renowned architects almost immediately.
He would drastically alter the Cathedral’s layout. In order to give the building’s crypt a more noble size, he suggested raising the column heights. By 1889, he had swiftly finished the crypt, enabling the church to hold masses.
This was part of Gaudi’s genius, as he valued the logical way in which other monuments, such as Spins of Glory or Kingdom Casino have been built.
His clients were won over by this tactic, which also seemed to dispel whatever misgivings they may have had about his skills. It gave Gaudi time to consider an entirely different cathedral design.
The End of Gaudi and The Legacy He Left Behind
Gaudi spent forty-three years working on Sagrada Familia. He died at the age of 73 in 1926 after being struck by a tram while crossing the street. Because of his unkempt appearance and ragged clothes, the tram driver thought he was a beggar. He was interred in La Sagrada Familia’s crypt.
Gaudi created miniature scale models of the cathedral over the final ten years of his life so that his colleagues could refer to them after his death. Sadly, the Spanish Civil War would destroy these models. The new team was entrusted with reverse engineering Gaudi’s original design intent once pieces of these models were found.
Who is Working on The Sagrada Familia Today?
Domenec Sugranes I Gras took over as principal architect following Gaudi’s passing. Francesc Quintana, Isidre Puig Boada, Lluís Bonet I Gari, and Francesc Cardoner would succeed him between 1940 and 2012. Jordi Fauli I. Oller is the project’s current architect.
Most people only know of Gaudi as the mastermind behind Sagrada Familia’s architecture but it’s important to mention the people who carry his legacy and elevating it above many others like Spins of Glory or Kingdom Casino.
Based on the found models and sketches, the new team started modelling the cathedral using sophisticated computer software decades after Gaudi’s death. They started using aerospace software that could manage the intricate curves Gaudi created. The architecture industry still makes use of several of these software tools today.
The Efforts to Complete Gaudi’s Masterpiece
Experts have been working diligently to replicate and enhance Gaudí’s original architectural designs with contemporary materials as part of their intention to eventually complete what Gaudí began in 1882, being careful not to sacrifice any aspects of its identity or essence.
Thanks mostly to donations from people who think this vision should be realised sooner rather than later, progress is happening considerably more quickly now than it has in the past. This gives great hope that the cathedral will be finalised in the very near future and visitors can marvel at its complete and final glory.
One of the most well-known and enormous construction undertakings in human history is still the massive church. It is anticipated that the Sagrada Familia will be finished by 2026 despite the many setbacks and challenges encountered.
Follow Sounds and Colours: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Mixcloud / Soundcloud / Bandcamp
Subscribe to the Sounds and Colours Newsletter for regular updates, news and competitions bringing the best of Latin American culture direct to your Inbox.