The greatness of a construction is something that is a function of all the qualities it brings together. Observing the Sagrada Familia is something that impresses everyone, for its beauty and its originality. The aesthetics of its shapes, its magnificent sculptures, the impressive lighting effects of its stained glass windows… All these elements are capable of arousing admiration on the part of the observer, but, if in addition to this, it is understood the geometry of the Sagrada Familia and the reason for its elaborate design, it can certainly be seen as a work of art and as the exceptional construction that it undoubtedly is.
Geometry and architecture are two concepts that are intimately linked. and this is demonstrated by the large number of constructions carried out over time. The pyramid of Giza and the Parthenon were geometrically designed according to the number pi. In the Renaissance, the great architects, sculptors and painters used the golden section as the geometric basis for all their works, as in the case of Leonardo da Vinci. And Gaudí was not going to be less.
Gaudí conceived geometry as a resource that favored the design of construction processes and tried to make the most of traditional formulas to achieve stability in the constructions he conceived. And all this mixed with a strong charge of symbolism and respect for nature. Only in this way will we be able to understand the geometry and the symbolism of the Holy Family..
The geometry of the Sagrada Família as a structural concept
Gaudí had planned the entire geometry of the Sagrada Familia shortly after receiving the commission for the geometry of the Sagrada Familia both structurally and dimensionally. If we look at all the facades, they are undergoing a transformation from the initial Gothic to a surprising modernity due to the geometric geometry of its forms.
Thus, we move from neo-Gothic windows located on the lower levels to composite rose windows with a central oculus surrounded by holes with hyperbolic shapes, indicating a much more modern architecture.. All this to reach the upper windows organized with central elliptical rosettes causing a great harmony as a whole.
The geometric path followed by Gaudí in the Sagrada Familia not only had aesthetic purposes, but was also loaded with different symbolisms, being halfway between the forms that can be found in nature and the whole that represents the life of Jesus. This means that many of the forms of the Holy Family are designed with complex geometric concepts, and some of them also have a tremendous symbolic character. Let’s take a look at some of their examples.
The 12 as a special symbolism of the Holy Family
12 were the apostles of Jesus, and as such, this number is very present in the geometry of the Holy Family. geometry of the Holy Family. Gaudí used this number as the basis for many of the temple’s proportions. For example, if you divide the total length of your plant (90 m) by 12, the result is 7.5.
This measure is the one that orders the whole floor plan of the temple; the columns are separated by this number, the separation of the central aisle is twice that number, the total width of the access doors is 4 times that number… And so on.
All the proportions that the constructive elements have, involve the divisors of the 12, in this way, the symbolism of the Holy Family. symbolism of the Holy Family is represented in the apostles of the Lord.
Ellipsoids in columns
Nature was very important to Gaudí and proof of this can be seen in many of the forms of the Sagrada Familia. forms of the Sagrada Familia. The interior columns of the nave symbolize the growth of the trees, and as a geometric design he used the ellipsoid as a double-turn column.
In addition to achieving high stability, this design provides a captivating aesthetic and visual effect.. Each column has a star-shaped base and as they grow, they turn from right to left, becoming a circle. In this way, each column becomes a tree and its branches support the different vaults of the temple.
Paraboloids, one of the predominant forms of the Sagrada familia
Paraboloids are warped surfaces of parabolic section that originate with the displacement of a straight line on top of two others that are crossed in space. There are many forms in nature where it is possible to find a paraboloid for example at the base of tree trunks.
Gaudí incorporated this figure into the geometry of the geometry of the Sagrada Familia in different parts of the church, for example in the dome of the sacristy, when creating the connecting surfaces between the vaults and the columns of the Passion façade, as well as in different towers and sacristies. The architect symbolized this geometric structure with the Holy Trinity.
These are some of the examples of geometry of the Sagrada Familia. And this is what has come down to us thanks to all the information that could be saved and that is summarized in sketches, writings, designs and models. But, taking into account Gaudí’s genius, it is certain that even the smallest detail of the Basilica is planned and designed according to a reason.
