Sagrada Familia: Architecture in Europe takes root with biomimicry !

Welcome to the captivating world where architecture and nature converge, blend, and create wonders.

Picture buildings that, instead of merely occupying space, draw inspiration from the surrounding natural world, effortlessly harmonizing with it. This is where the enchanting concept of biomimicry takes center stage. Trees become artistic guides, engineers, and even architects.

In this series, brace yourself for a captivating journey into the heart of European architecture, where visionary architects find inspiration in trees, turning their creations into temples that not only respect but also draw inspiration from the beauty of nature.

Today's destination? The Sagrada Familia, where nature and human ingenuity gracefully converge in an exquisite architectural dance. Get ready to be amazed by how biomimicry effortlessly transforms our built spaces into true works of art. 

 After Gaudí's passing in 1926, the construction faced slowdowns due to financial constraints and the Spanish Civil War. The project regained momentum in the mid-1950s. In the year 2000, the roof of the central nave was finally installed.

The Sagrada Familia is unique, largely due to Antoni Gaudí's continuous improvisational approach during construction. With few available plans and models, Gaudí often worked in the moment, letting his creativity guide the process. Although this created challenges for contemporary architects, they nonetheless understand Gaudí's intentions. 

The expiatory temple, paying homage to the Holy Family through its three facades, is a profoundly spiritual symbol.

The Nativity facade celebrates the joy and life of Jesus, depicting his birth and youth.

In contrast, the Passion facade adopts an austere aesthetic, narrating the passion, death, and resurrection. Finally, the Glory facade, facing the sea, embodies the glory of Jesus Christ and the path to eternal life, featuring unique symbolic elements.

As predicted by the architect, they come from all over the world. These figures propelled the Sagrada Familia to the position of the most visited monument in Spain in 2019, according to the ranking established by the travel platform TripAdvisor, and to the sixth position globally, alongside the Colosseum in Rome, the Louvre Museum in Paris, and the Vatican Museums.

Thus, the Sagrada Familia evokes a magnificent forest through its impressive columns.

This design appears to be a celebration of nature and its divine creations. Gaudí transports visitors into an environment where architecture mimics the organic beauty of nature.

By embracing this woodland aesthetic, the Sagrada Familia becomes a work of art that transcends conventions, offering an immersive experience where the boundaries between the sacred and the natural harmoniously blur.

The leaves of these plants grow in levels, each comprising three leaves. In their quest for sunlight, they move into the space left by the upper leaves, causing a helical twist in the core of the branch. Cutting a branch reveals two underlying geometric shapes: the equilateral triangle and the hexagon, created by the twisting according to the principles of the double-twisted column.

 The inclined columns of the narthex of the Sagrada Familia reveal Gaudí's ingenuity as he transposes the natural principles of giant sequoias into his architecture.

With broad bases inspired by the extended roots of these monumental trees, the columns not only ensure stability but also effectively transfer the inclined forces to the foundations.

Thus, Gaudí merges his architectural genius with the teachings of nature, creating a unique and functional tribute in this essential element of the basilica. 

The undulating roof of the Sagrada Familia school, designed by Gaudí, reflects a natural elegance inspired by the magnolia. Like the leaves of this majestic tree, the wavy edges of the roof serve not only to create a distinctive aesthetic but also to facilitate the drainage of rainwater.

This ingenious design bears witness to Gaudí's creative imprint, drawing from natural patterns to transcend the architectural conventions of his time.