Elton Gallimore: 09805388 BE138 School of Environment and Technology

Barcelona Field Trip: La Sagrada Familia

Contents: ii. Introduction

iii. A brief history iv. My encounter v. A few pointers

vi. Conclusion vii. Bibliography

Introduction The arrival into Barcelona was I suppose like any other trip one takes. The first hour or so is spent processing as much new information as possible before the brain finally accepts its new surroundings and readily relaxes taking things in at a calmer pace. At least thats how it is for myself. Reaching our hostel destination via train and then metro was quite educational and gave a brief social insight into what I was to encounter in my short stay in Barcelona. The train journey was like a visual and virtual soil sample, where a cylindrical tube of soil is removed from the earth in order to gain a history and insight into the proposed area. So as we travelled along on the train I saw the wide expanse of airport runways turn into areas under construction, some abandoned and some still in progress. We then passed various fields that were being used for arable purposes as the rows and conditions were very uniform. The plots were reasonably large but not of the scale for major corporation use. More over a step down with local farmers dealing with their connecting communities as I noticed that for every expanse of field there was a domestic building housed in its boundary. As we moved further to the capital the population became denser and living conditions more compromised with buildings jostling with each other for ground space and as a result stretching upwards. Neighbourhoods at this point to me appeared challenged and in need of financial assistance which reminded me of motels that had been replicated and placed on top of each other repetitively with washing lines, baskets and the inhabitants daily lives exposed on the balconies albeit with a continental hint and stucco taking on orange, cream and magnolia shades. Things progressed and a distinct improvement on housing and maintenance could be seen as we further travelled so I guess as we reach densely populated areas the natural evolution of that areas commerce dictates the growth and quality of its surroundings. This is applicable worldwide. So it was after changing from a train to the metro that I was no longer able to evaluate my surroundings and made do with the locals riding the train. No different than London may I add. Mothers, wives, husbands, teenagers, workers, children, and least I forget the occasional group of pickpockets working in silent unison in all areas of the carriage. Out we popped of the metro onto a bustling lively boulevard were there were masses of people, shops, music, food wafting through the crowds, beers stalls, restaurant's, coffees. I could go on but I think the message is clear the city was certainly alive and we had arrived at La Ramblas our hostel being an olives throw away and where we would be staying for the next 4 days.

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A brief history La Sagrada Familia or Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia meaning the Expiatory Church of the Holy Family is a monument or rather a temple made in honour of the holy family. It is the brainchild of a bookseller (publisher) Joseph Maria Boccabella, a literate and devout catholic who founded a spiritual association of the Saint Joseph (www.gaudidesigner.com) It began life in 1882 amidst previous uncertainty, and remains to be a culturally rich and an iconic structure full of subtle intricacies as well as bombast ornateness in this millennium. Mark Burry (1993, p6) explains that this new temple was; to reassert family values which the Devotees regarded as having been eroded by the rampant materialism which was the corollary of the nineteenth century industrial expansion The Devotees were in fact members of The Spiritual Association of Devotees of Saint Joseph who recognised Joseph as being the head of the Holy Family. The Church is situated in Barcelona housed inside a chamfered grid and at the onset of its initial construction was surrounded by farmland. The parish was populated mainly by disadvantaged working classes which gives credence to its later given moniker of the Cathedral for the Poor Mark Burry (1993, p11) Funding is constantly met through public donations and fund raisers and the expected completion of the temple is 2026. This of course is an unusual and unprecedented arrangement but then again La Sagrada Familia is an unusual build altogether. Plan View of La Sagrada Familia
Joseph Maria Boccabella

An architect Francesc del Villar was commissioned on behalf of the Devotees to design the temple. He apparently submitted a number of lacklustre Gothic revival plans for a church and was reluctant to honour his clients wishes with regards to the columns and their specific design criteria. Villar got as far as seeing the apse crypt excavated and their walls being built to half their height before resigning from the design. As mentioned before Villars proposals had been met with certain reserve in particular from a fellow parish Architect named Martorell who rather than create a distasteful and uncomfortable situation by filling the post himself, compromised by suggesting that instead it be succeeded by his former assistant Antoni Gaudi. So it was that at the age of 31 Gaudi inherited the project of La Sagrada Familia. Mark Burry (1993, p11, 12)

Antoni Gaudi

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My encounter There wasnt really a specific moment where La Sagrada Familia suddenly appeared before me. Mainly because as a group we had walked towards it from our hostel and could gradually see more and more of it as we progressed. Barcelona Is built on a grid system, which gave me confidence as I navigated my way through left and right turns. Always knowing that I was literally yards from my intended course at any given time should I stray too far. The predominant colour of fashion in Barcelona that I noticed was black. Following that there were many shades of brown, olive and dark creams. I was quite surprised by the black due to the temperature; it was a steady 15C to 17C while I was there, spring season. But I suppose the Catalonians are well aware of the heat and are accustomed to it. I expected loud, bright colours at every angle but was met with earthy chic complimented by leathers and suedes at every turn. This was in the capital of Barcelona mind you where the standard of living is set at a high level. The first notable characteristics of the temple are the soaring towers which stretch upwards from the ground to around 170 metres. Presently eight towers are completed with a further ten scheduled to be built. They somehow resemble long slender fingers adorned with exotic jewellery at the tips, but twelve of the towers are in fact a reference to the twelve apostles bearing their names. I had originally planned in my earlier submitted notes to document
La Sagrada Familia from a roof top in the city centre

and investigate quite a few different characteristics and design methods of La Sagrada Familia in my essay. However, upon coming face to face with such awesome and intimidating construction I was immediately humbled and fell quickly into line with the other hundreds of visitors, realising that a new strategy was in fact needed. That strategy was to provide honesty in my account and not to misinterpret whatPassion I observed. Faade Aspects of the temple which were specific to my interests I intend to discuss and explore. This is not to infer that everything else was insignificant, only that by focusing on a few areas of La Sagrada Familia I will be able to provide a more personal experience rather than a walk through verbal tour. Hundreds of tourists myself included crammed mostly every free standing space at the entrance; such is the popularity of the temple. I was facing what is known as the passion faade where there stands a sculpture of Christ on the cross. To the rear of the temple is the nativity faade which obviously depicts various nativity scenes and carvings all over. To be honest I wasnt expecting to witness architecture of this nature in Barcelona. It was rich and deep with uniqueness and originality. Its neo-gothic style can be mainly attributed to Gaudi who had a penchant for designing peculiar and oftentimes misunderstood structures.
La Sagrada Familia Nativity Faade

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A few pointers In my observations whilst visiting Barcelona I was constantly making comparisons between England and Spain. We hold Sir Christopher Wren in high regard for his many achievements and the legacy he has left with his builds and regeneration work and Catalonians share the same reverence for Antonio Gaudi who was a very enigmatic individual who although never far from unnecessary scrutiny, remained unequalled in the quality and innovation of his work. Great Britain is well known for being stalwart and for maintaining a stiff upper lip. Well I think in Spain, Catalonia there is a distinct undercurrent of rich, modest and very creative style vibrating through its society. So its only fitting that there is a structure and many of its ilk like La Sagrada Familia within their midst. Its a strong cultural statement and although Gaudi was one individual, I wonder how many Catalonians have a voice or have found some form of distinction within themselves due to his creative and daring buildings.
Passion Faade east wing under construction

Born in the province of Tarragona, southern Catalonia in 1852 to a family of coppersmiths he was a poorly child who was afflicted many times with the then common condition of rheumatic fever. This caused him to spend a lot of time alone and it was in these periods of solitude that he became close with nature and developed a unique relationship with it. This to me makes perfect sense and gives some sort of clue as to where his inspiration came from as almost all of his buildings appear as if they have literally spurted up from the soil as wet clay twisting and turning like a dancer and then finally striking the concluding pose to then be baked into the completed product by the glaring sun above. La Sagrada Familia fits this example perfectly in my view. Gaudi passed away at the age of 73, three days after being hit by a tram. No one recognised this unkempt man and he was taken to a paupers hospital.
Statue of Chist in the Passion Facade

When found by his friends who naturally wanted to move him to a more reputable infirmary he refused with his response being; I belong here with the poor (www.gaudiclub.com). This is a very important point and allows me to receive Gaudis contribution and influence to La Sagrada Familia in much deeper context. The flamboyance and elaborateness of the structure is apparent and vivid, but as with nature it is acceptable and valid. A male peacocks display of its feathers is a vain exhibit on the peacocks behalf but if we focus on the arrangement of the feathers, the pattern of the colours, rather than the peacock itself then it becomes something to celebrate and marvel at in silent awe and appreciation of nature. Gaudis style may have appeared excessive or too surrealist to some but like the peacocks tail i f we focus on the art itself and not why he designed it we can then appreciate it in a much clearer and educational sense. Like most Architects Gaudi had seriousness when concerned with his projects that could be perceived as arrogant, fastidious and volatile.

The interior columns of La Sagrada Familia

Conclusion However these only applied to his character when he felt his instructions were not being fulfilled to his satisfaction. Id say you have every right to remonstrate, create and animatedly express yourself if you think your design is being compromised, after all it is your name that will be forever associated with the project and hopefully the end will in most cases justify the means. I believe he was a very simple man who never meant to misdirect unnecessarily, who appreciated expression within nature and to appreciate nature, good design and innovation we must explore and celebrate not hide and conceal. I definitely have learnt a lot from my visit to Barcelona. The smells, the sounds, the navigation on the many pathways, the shop owners, the stall owners, the sandwich maker who conveniently charged me an extra euro each day for the same sandwich. Those who were eager to help and to talk ask of my experience so far. The nocturnal bands of street pick pocketing brothers who roaming the streets where we stayed picking off marks as they came out of the bars in vulnerable conditions, even managing to score a scalp from our delegation. Its an unfortunate part of Catalonian present day culture and by no means dampens my valuable experience of such an attractive and appealing City. I shall like to end with one final English comparison. If Barcelona is equivalent to an English cup of tea, I have well and truly been dunked.

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Bibliography:
(www.gaudidesigner.com) Burry, Mark.1993. Expiatory Church of the Sagrada Familia: Antoni Gaudi, Architecture in Detail. London: Phaidon I belong here with the poor (www.gaudiclub.com).

Pictures:
Page 2, Picture 1 A painting of Mr Josep Maria Bocabella [electronic print] Available at: http://www.gaudidesigner.com [Accessed 20 April 2010]. Picture 2 A plan view of La Sagrada Familia, taken by myself from display in visitors grounds. 17 March 2010 Picture 3 Image of a young Antoni Gaudi [electric print] Available at: http://www.gaudidesigner.com/uk/designer.php [Accessed 20 April 2010] Picture 4 La Sagrada Familia taken from a rooftop in the city centre taken by myself. 17 March 2010. Picture 5 Passion Faade, taken by myself. 17 March 2010. Picture 6 La Sagrada Familia Nativity Facade taken by myself 17 March 2010. Picture 7 Passion Facade East Wing under construction taken by myself 17 March 2010. Picture 8 Statue of Christ in the Passion Facade taken by myself 17 March 2010. Picture 9 The interior columns of La Sagrada Familia taken by myself 17 March 2010.

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