When architect Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) designed the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona he knew he would not be alive when its construction was completed. Beginning with its groundbreaking in 1882, the Sagrada Familia has been under construction ever since, and more than 130 years later it is the longest running architectural project on earth. Gaudi, a devout Catholic, was inspired to create the Sagrada Familia as a to way to make amends to God for the sins of the modern world. Remarkably, the church was not officially opened until November 7th, 2010, when it was consecrated as a Basilica. Approximately a century ahead of its time, the structure is a marvel of engineering, and to this day a team of architects is busy completing the designs of the building, using Gaudi’s original models as a guide together with the most advanced computer software available. Lara Logan of 60 Minutes recently paid a visit to the Sagrada Familia where she met the project’s chief architect, as well as 80-year-old Jordi Bonet, the man whose family has served as the guardian angels of the beloved building for more than 80 years. The Sagrada Familia is expected to complete its construction between 2026-2028. You can watch the entire report below, and for more information on the Sagrada Familia you can visit Wikipedia. For more great stories from the world of architecture be sure to visit FEELguide Architecture.
