A Century-Old Dream Enters its Final Sprint
June 10, 2026, marks the 100th anniversary of the death of the legendary Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. To honor the master, the builders of the Sagrada Família are in a race against time to complete the final topping out of the church’s tallest tower—the Jesus Christ Tower—on this day. When completed, the church will stand at 172.5 meters, becoming the tallest church building in the world.
London Engineering Giant Arup Takes the Helm
A widely circulated rumor suggested that the project was accelerated only after being taken over by a highly efficient Chinese engineering team. However, the firm actually responsible for the technical challenges of this century-defining project is Arup Group Limited, a global engineering consultancy headquartered in London, UK. In 2013, the Sagrada Família’s construction board foundation proactively approached Arup, entrusting them to solve the project’s structural challenges. Tristam Carfrae, Arup’s lead structural designer for the project, described his involvement as an “unbelievable” experience.
Modern Technology Realizes Gaudí’s Vision
Gaudí’s original design concept was revolutionary. He modeled the interior columns of the church on the shape of trees in a forest, replacing the flying buttresses of traditional Gothic architecture. However, in his era, the technology to support such a grand structure did not exist. Gaudí himself only completed one of the façades, and his original drawings and models were destroyed in a later war. Arup’s involvement coincided with a wave of technological innovation. By introducing post-tensioned stone technology, originally used for bridge construction, they successfully reduced the thickness of the tower walls by 75%, from a planned 1.2 meters to just 30 centimeters. Furthermore, cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 3D printing have made it possible to bring Gaudí’s complex designs to life.
Future Challenges and Potential Concerns
Although the 2026 topping-out goal is in sight, the full completion of the Sagrada Família still faces challenges. For instance, its administrative permitting process is expected to take several more years, and the construction of the main entrance staircase will require the acquisition of neighboring residential properties, a complex negotiation process. On the other hand, there are also external concerns about the building’s stability. Given that Arup’s London Millennium Bridge had to be closed after opening due to swaying issues, people worry whether constructing such a super-tall tower on a narrow foundation poses a similar risk.
