History in the Making: A Journey Through Gaudí’s Masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen takes listeners on a captivating journey through La Sagrada Familia, the world-famous cathedral in Barcelona. He recounts his recent visit to this architectural marvel, exploring the fascinating history behind Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece and his nature-inspired designs. Discover the ongoing construction efforts, the challenges of preserving Gaudí’s vision with modern technology, and the unique experience of watching history come to life as this project nears completion. Tune in to experience the wonder of La Sagrada Familia and gain insights into how legacy projects continue to shape our understanding of architecture and design.
Transcript
Welcome back to another episode of I Hear Design, your source for interior design and architecture, news, interviews, and opinions. I’m your host, Robert Nieminen, and today I’m going off my usual script a bit and want to share a personal experience I had during my recent visit to one of the most iconic architectural projects in the world: La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain.
For all of you architecture enthusiasts out there, you’re probably already aware of the fact that visiting La Sagrada Familia is like going on a pilgrimage. Because it’s not just a building—it’s a living testament to human creativity, perseverance, and ingenuity. But what makes it even more fascinating is that this isn’t just a historical site. La Sagrada Familia is a work in progress. It’s history in the making, in other words—a fact that really hit home for me during my visit in October as I looked up at the multiple cranes surrounding the soaring steeples hoisting materials into the sky.
Let me take you back a bit and share some insights about the incredible history of this place, the visionary Catalan architect behind it—Antoni Gaudí—and what makes this unfinished masterpiece so unique in the world of architecture."
With the experience fresh in my mind, I wanted to learn more about this cathedral that’s been etched into my memory, so let’s talk a little bit about how this all began. The cornerstone for the foundation of La Sagrada Familia was laid way back in 1882, over 140 years ago. That’s not unusual in and of itself, given that there are historic cathedrals all over Europe that have been standing for centuries, like St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, which was completed in 1626 more than 500 years ago, which I had the chance to visit some 20-odd years ago as well. By comparison, La Sagrada is a relatively young building.
But here’s the thing that makes it really unique—construction is still ongoing. Imagine that! A project that has spanned generations, adapting to new technologies and construction techniques while still remaining faithful to its original vision.
Antoni Gaudí, the modernist mastermind behind the cathedral’s design, took over the project in 1883. Gaudí wasn’t just an architect; he was a visionary. His work on La Sagrada Familia was a blend of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles, but with an approach to architecture that mimicked nature. He wanted this cathedral to feel organic, as if it was a living, breathing part of the Earth itself.
One thing that really struck me during my visit was how Gaudí’s inspiration from the natural world is literally embedded into every inch of the structure. The columns inside the basilica, for example, are designed to look like tree trunks, branching out to support the ceiling like a forest canopy. When you step inside, it’s like entering an otherworldly forest made of stone and light. Talk about biophilic design!
Gaudí’s genius wasn’t just in his creativity—it was in his innovation as well. He was ahead of his time in the way he integrated form and function. His understanding of geometry, structure, and light was nothing short of revolutionary. During my tour, I learned that Gaudí wasn’t just designing a building; he was creating an experience. The way light filters through the intricate stained-glass windows at different times of the day casts ever-changing patterns of color and shadow on the stonework. It feels like the building itself is alive.
And here’s something else I found fascinating: Gaudí knew that he wouldn’t live to see his work completed. He embraced that. He famously said, 'My client is not in a hurry'—referring, of course, to God. Talk about the ultimate long-term vision.
Even though Gaudí tragically passed away in 1926 in an accident in which he was hit by a trolley car, his detailed models and plans allowed future architects to carry on his work. And that brings us to the ongoing construction efforts.
Walking around the construction site of La Sagrada Familia, I couldn’t help but think about how remarkable it is that this massive undertaking has continued through wars, financial struggles, and changing technology. Today, modern architects and engineers are using cutting-edge technology like 3D printing, drones, and computer modeling to complete Gaudí’s vision. And yet, they face immense challenges.
One of the biggest hurdles is staying true to Gaudí’s design while also adapting to modern building codes and safety standards. For example, during Gaudí’s time, the materials and construction techniques available were vastly different from today. So, the challenge is balancing historical authenticity with modern-day practicality.
What I found most inspiring was that despite all the challenges, there’s an incredible sense of pride and reverence for Gaudí’s original vision. The project is now in its final phase, with completion targeted for 2026—exactly 100 years after Gaudí’s death.
Interestingly, a few years ago, you may recall that La Sagrada Familia was at the center of a heated political battle in which Barcelona city authorities claimed that Gaudi never filed the proper building permits for the iconic structure. As a result, the La Sagrada Familia Foundation agreed to pay $41 million in a settlement to cover its back taxes, which will be used to improve transportation, public services and maintenance around the area, multiple news sources reported.
As I stood there, gazing up at the towers still under construction, I felt a deep sense of connection to history. It’s not often that we get to witness the continuation of a project that has been shaping the skyline for over a century. La Sagrada Familia is like a living timeline—each stone tells a story, each detail a reflection of the past, present, and future.
What struck me the most was this idea of 'watching history in the making.' There are very few places in the world where you can say that. It made me think about the nature of design and architecture—how it’s not just about creating buildings but about creating legacies. La Sagrada Familia isn’t just a cathedral. It’s a testament to human ambition, faith, and the power of vision that transcends time.
As designers and architects, we often talk about creating spaces that inspire, that connect people, that last. But Gaudí’s work reminds us that true design doesn’t just live in the present—it shapes the future.
I hope this episode gave you a little glimpse into the wonder and complexity of La Sagrada Familia. It’s an experience that I’ll never forget, and it’s a reminder that great design doesn’t just happen overnight. It takes time, dedication, and an unwavering belief in the power of creativity.
If you ever have the chance to visit La Sagrada Familia, I highly recommend it. There’s something truly humbling about seeing an unfinished masterpiece in person—one that has been in the making for over a century.
Hey, before I sign off, I wanted to share some exciting news with you. We recently introduced our inaugural 2025 Elev8 Design Awards, and I’d like to personally extend an invitation for you to submit your firm’s work to this new awards program.
The Elev8 Design Awards celebrate the innovation, performance, sustainability, and social impact of architecture and design that positively transform people and the planet.
Elev8 recognizes outstanding achievements across eight categories, from commercial and healthcare to mixed-use and civic projects/public spaces and more. Winning projects will be published in the Second Quarter 2025 issue of BUILDINGS, reaching over 70,000 building owners and facility managers. It’s a unique chance to present your work to a broad audience of potential future customers and earn industry-wide recognition.
I encourage you to submit one or more projects to seize this exceptional opportunity to showcase your firm’s talent and innovation to commercial building executives responsible for future construction projects.
The submission deadline is December 13th, so you’ll want to act fast. Visit elev8awards.com to learn more about awards categories, judging criteria, entry fees, and more.
One last thing—we here at I Hear Design recently noticed an interesting trend in our podcast statistics, and we’ve been seeing a significant uptick in the number of listeners tuning in from Missouri. So, I just wanted to give a quick shout-out to our new listeners in the “Show Me State” and to encourage all of you to follow and rate the podcast if you haven’t already and tell your colleagues and design-minded friends about the podcast.
That’s it for now. Thank you for tuning in, and as always, be well, everyone.
