Francisco de Paula del Villar was the original architect commissioned to design the Sagrada Familia. Born in Murcia and later establishing his career in Barcelona, Villar was an experienced architect known for his work on religious buildings. He was appointed by the Catholic Association of Devotees of Saint Joseph to design a church dedicated to the Holy Family. Villar's vision was rooted in the Gothic Revival style, and he began the construction with the design of the crypt. However, due to disagreements with the project's patrons, he resigned in 1883, just a year after construction began.
Antoni Gaudí, the most famous architect associated with the Sagrada Familia, took over the project after Villar's departure. Although relatively inexperienced at the time, Gaudí's vision dramatically transformed the original design. He envisioned a grand basilica that would take generations to complete, blending Gothic traditions with innovative modernist techniques. Gaudí's influence is most visible in the Nativity Façade, where his deep religious faith and love of nature are intricately expressed through the ornate details. He also completed the crypt according to Villar’s initial Gothic Revival plan but introduced his signature style in the above-ground structure. Gaudí dedicated the last 43 years of his life to the Sagrada Familia, working exclusively on the project in his final years until his untimely death in 1926.
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Domènec Sugrañes, a close collaborator of Gaudí, took over the Sagrada Familia's construction after Gaudí's death. He continued work on the Nativity Façade and oversaw the construction of the bell towers. His tenure ended due to the Spanish Civil War and the destruction of Gaudí’s workshop.
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Francesc de Paula Quintana, initially a draftsman under Sugrañes, became the chief architect after the Spanish Civil War. He focused on restoring war-damaged sections, including the crypt, and began the construction of the Passion Façade.
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Isidre Puig i Boada, a Gaudí scholar, co-directed the Passion Façade construction in the 1950s. His deep knowledge of Gaudí’s methods helped preserve the original designs during a turbulent period in Spain.
Lluís Bonet, committed to the Sagrada Familia from a young age, joined the construction after the Spanish Civil War. He worked on the Passion Façade and continued restoration efforts, later becoming the chief architect.
Francesc de Paula Cardoner played a key role during the transition period of the Sagrada Familia’s construction. His brief tenure focused on incorporating modern techniques while staying true to Gaudí’s original designs.
Jordi Bonet, the son of Lluís Bonet, continued his family’s legacy at the Sagrada Familia. Appointed chief architect in 1985, Bonet was responsible for significant advancements, including laying the foundations of the central nave and raising the stone columns that form the structure's distinctive forest-like interior. His work also included the parabolic vaults that Gaudí envisioned, which were completed under his supervision. Bonet’s tenure culminated in the church’s consecration by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, a significant milestone in its history.
Jordi Faulí, who joined the Sagrada Familia project in 1990, represents the latest generation of architects continuing Gaudí’s work. With a doctoral thesis on the church’s columns and vaults, Faulí brought new technologies and methodologies to the construction process. As chief architect since 2012, his primary focus has been on the completion of the central towers dedicated to the Evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ. Faulí is also overseeing the ongoing work on the Glory Façade, which will serve as the church’s main entrance. His leadership may see the long-awaited completion of the Sagrada Familia, fulfilling Gaudí’s dream.
Gaudí's masterpiece, the Nativity Façade, is a celebration of life and nature, intricately depicting scenes from the birth of Christ. Its organic forms and detailed sculptures embody Gaudí's belief that nature is the work of God, serving as a direct source of inspiration.
The Sagrada Familia has been shaped by several visionary architects over more than a century. These include Francisco de Paula del Villar, Antoni Gaudí, Domènec Sugrañes, Francesc de Paula Quintana, Isidre Puig i Boada, Lluís Bonet i Garí, Francesc de Paula Cardoner i Blanc, Jordi Bonet i Armengol, and Jordi Faulí i Oller. Each contributed significantly to different parts of the basilica.
Francisco de Paula del Villar was the original architect who began the project in a Neo-Gothic style. He was responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of the crypt. However, due to disagreements, he resigned, which led to Antoni Gaudí taking over the project.
Antoni Gaudí radically transformed the Sagrada Familia’s design from a Neo-Gothic style to a more innovative combination of Gothic and Art Nouveau forms. He worked on the basilica from 1883 until his death in 1926, contributing to the Nativity Façade, completing the crypt, and creating the overall design concept that incorporates natural forms, geometric shapes, and symbolic iconography.
Domènec Sugrañes, a close collaborator of Gaudí, took over after Gaudí’s death. He focused on completing the Nativity Façade and began constructing the first of the basilica’s iconic towers. His work was disrupted by the Spanish Civil War, which also led to the destruction of Gaudí’s workshop.
Francesc de Paula Quintana restored Gaudí’s damaged plaster models, which were crucial for continuing construction. He initiated the Passion Façade’s construction, which represented the darker aspects of Christ’s Passion, ensuring Gaudí’s mathematical precision and artistic vision were maintained.
The Sagrada Familia remains under construction due to the complexity of Gaudí’s designs and the need for meticulous craftsmanship. The project has also faced interruptions due to historical events like the Spanish Civil War. Despite this, work continues, with the goal of completing the basilica in the coming years.
