Architecture and Society, Scavenger Hunt by Price Daniel

The Basics

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-09 14:11:43 UTC

Basílica de la Sagrada Família

Barecelona, Spain

Construction began in March of 1882 and is expected to finish in 2026.

Antonio Gaudí was the main architect, but several other architects have worked to complete the project.

The stone basilica has a height of 566'.

Purpose, Program, and Users

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-10 00:20:22 UTC

The Sagrada Família is intended to be a place of worship for Christians worldwide. Each tower, suspended toward the heavens, represents one of eighteen biblical figures, with the eventual tallest tower representing Jesus Christ (Britannica). Christians and people of all other denominations come to visit the Sagrada Familia each year to see its size and beauty for themselves. In addition, even though the Basilica isn't yet completed, they offer several international masses every Sunday (Sagrada Familia).

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sagrada-Familia

https://sagradafamilia.org/en/

Gaudi's Design

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-10 00:24:20 UTC

Francisco de Paula del Villar's Design

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-10 00:29:54 UTC

The original architect planned to build a neo-Gothic style basilica with pointed windows, exterior arches, and a slender bell tower. Still, the supporters of the construction dismissed him a year later and hired Antoni Gaudí.

La Sagrada Familia Nativity Facade (sandstone)

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-10 00:45:36 UTC

The Nativity Facade is the oldest facade of La Sagrada Familia. It was built between 1894-1930, and was the only portion of the Basilica that Gaudí saw finished in his lifetime.

The Facade of the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension Facade

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-10 00:52:35 UTC

In contrast to the Nativity Facade, Gaudí intended for this facade to convey fear; however, he didn't have time to complete the design of its sculptural aspects.

The Inside of La Sagrada Familia

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-11 02:28:20 UTC

The inside of the basilica is filled with natural light and stained-glass windows. The towers span into the sky towards the heaven's and invite the Holy Spirit into the space.

My experience at La Sagrada Familia

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-11 02:30:36 UTC

When I visited La Sagrada Familia, I was astounded by the sheer size of each of the towers. Though the building was still under construction, I was amazed by the number of people visiting and the number of people building. The colors illuminate the inside, and it feels like a really holy space.

My friend Heid's reflection on his visit

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-11 12:44:42 UTC

He went while it was still under construction and noticed the sheer size of the church. "It was like the biggest church I have ever seen. I went to Notre Dame and was astounded by its size, but La Sagrada Familia blows it out of the water." He also commented on its Gothic style and noticed that Gaudí replaced the traditional "flying buttresses" with tree-like columns.

Gothic, Flying Buttress.

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-11 13:05:02 UTC

Google Earth

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-11 13:22:46 UTC

Here, we stand in Placa de Gaudí, a park on the north side of the basilica, named for the famous architect. There is another park on the southern side, as well. Many similar-looking buildings surround the basilica, setting its unique architecture and height apart from its surroundings.

Video of La Sagrada Familia

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-11 13:58:37 UTC

This video is excellent in showing the amount of texture on the exterior facades of the basilica. Inside, the smooth floors reflect the natural light that is let in by the stained-glass windows.

Against Barcelona? Gaudí, the City, and Nature

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-14 23:51:40 UTC

This JSTOR article explores the relationship between La Sagrada Familia and the city of Barcelona. The author mentions how the basilica will mimic a mountain in the city that lies just above sea level once it is finished. The author also mentions how the basilica's building process has been difficult, showing that though the building stands with the city, it also stands against the city and represents its controversy.

Josep Miquel Sobrer, "Against Barcelona? Gaud�, the City, and Nature," Arizona Journal of Hispanic Cultural Studies 6 (2002), http://www.jstor.org/stable/20641605.

Re-natured Hybrid

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-15 00:00:26 UTC

This article explains how Gaudí blended classical architectural traditions with natural forms to create a "re-natured hybrid" type of architecture. In his other projects, like Park Güell, as well as La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí used the columns in his buildings not only as supports, but as tree-inspired elements to convey natural growth. Gaudí blended Greek and Gothic architecture. The author also explains how Gaudí aimed to teach through form and not words.

Burry, Mark. “Re-Natured Hybrid.” Thresholds, no. 26 (2003): 38–42. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43876157.

Interview with Current Architect Jordi Faulí i Oller

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-15 00:31:12 UTC

Oller struggles between preserving Gaudí's vision for the project and finishing the church promptly. He also mentions how difficult the job has been as Gaudí didn't leave much to work with, and it is up to the current architects to repair and restore what has already been built. Even though they are supposed to finish the project next year, Oller admits that it might be an unattainable goal.

Sagrada Família columns: the geometry, mechanics and materials of a stone forest

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-15 00:35:56 UTC

The author of this blog describes the complexity of the interior columns. The columns twist as they rise, and they meet in the cross-sections above. Gaudí's design helps support all the weight created by the towers. Gaudí attempted to minimize the cross-sections wherever possible, but he reinforced them when necessary. I agree with the author's point about the columns, as Gaudí's minimalism helps open the church and allow natural light in.

pricejdaniel1 — 2025-09-15 17:08:18 UTC

Bibliography

Ashley. "Sagrada Familia Nativity Facade Guide: Unlock the Symbolism." Barcelona Hacks. Last modified February 11, 2024. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://barcelonahacks.com/sagrada-familia-nativity-facade/.

Burry, Mark. "Re-natured Hybrid." Thresholds, no. 26 (2003): 38-42. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43876157.

"8 Secrets of the Sagrada Familia You Need to Know." Barcelona Local Experiences. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://barcelonalocalexperiences.com/8-secrets-of-the-sagrada-familia-you-need-to-know/.

Gayne, Daniel. "The longest job: Finishing Gaudí's masterpiece, La Sagrada Família." Building. Last modified July 2, 2024. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.building.co.uk/focus/the-longest-job-finishing-gaudis-masterpiece-la-sagrada-familia/5129242.article.

Middleton, J., Petruzzello, M. "Sagrada Família." Encyclopedia Britannica, July 26, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sagrada-Familia.

Oana, Laura. A Little Adrift (blog). Accessed September 15, 2025. https://alittleadrift.com/la-sagrada-familia/.

"Plaça de la Sagrada Familia - Passion façade." VoiceMap. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://voicemap.me/tour/barcelona/barcelona-s-architecture-a-guide-to-art-nouveau-and-gaudi-with-context/sites/placa-de-la-sagrada-familia-passion-facade.

"SAGRADA FAMILIA (Barcelona) | Full Tour in 4K (exterior + Interior)." Video, 15:28. YouTube. Posted by Luxury Travel Expert, December 25, 2021. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://youtu.be/78cWSG2m3fw?si=ddGK6lOB5y4V6YEF.

"Sagrada Familia Plans and Gaudí's Design Explained." Visit the Sagrada Familia. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://visitarsagradafamilia.com/en/sagrada-familia-plans-and-design/.

Sobrer, Josep Miquel. "Against Barcelona? Gaud�, the City, and Nature." Arizona Journal of Hispanic Cultural Studies 6 (2002): 205-19. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20641605.

Tomas, Joan. "Sagrada Família columns: the geometry, mechanics and materials of a stone forest." Redacció Sagrada Família (blog), July 11, 2025. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://blog.sagradafamilia.org/en/columns-sagrada-familia-geometry-mechanics-materials-stone-forest/.