QUESTION TWO [30] In your view, who are the main project stakeholders, and how in your...

  

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QUESTION TWO [30] In your view, who are the main project stakeholders, and how in your opinion have they contributed to the Sagrada Famlia? Note that two marks each will be awarded for an introduction and a conclusion to the essay. Note that two marks each will be awarded for an introduction and a conclusion to the essay. (30) QUESTION THREE [30] From the case study it is apparent that that the project could be considered either a success or a failure. Imagine you are the project manager in charge of the project. Draft an essay in which you provide a view of both sides of the argument, using examples from the case study to support each perspective. In addition to the dual perspective, offer four key lessons learned from the project in your opinion and explain what your recommendations would be going forward. Note that two marks each will be awarded for an introduction and a conclusion to the essay. (30) QUESTION FOUR [10] Some of the risks that are apparent in the project are for example; the flexible project timeframe, unpredictable funding, lack of clarity around how the basilica would be assembled, especially with the advent of technological advances at the turn of the century. Additionally, one could also distinguish risk in terms of how intricate the project was coupled with the length of time to completion. In the context of the aforementioned risks, what are some possible mitigations or solutions to the construction challenges on the project? (10) 31 1882 Groundbreaking The cornerstone was laid, under the direction of Francisco de Paula del Villar 1936-1939 EXHIBIT 3: PROJECT TIMELINE OF THE SAGRADA FAMLIA Destruction During the Spanish Civil War, the crypt was set on fire and the design plans were destroyed QUESTION ONE 1883 Project Timeline Architect Change Issues between the developers and del Villar arose, and Gaudi took over 1940-Present Continued Construction Many sculptors and architects have played their part in the basilica's construction 1883-1913 Grandeur As construction continued and donations increased. Gaudi continued to improve design plans 21st Century Advancing Technology Computer-aided design and CNC have advanced the construction process 1914-1926 Dedication From 1914 to 1926, Gaudi worked exclusively on the Sagrada Familia 2010 Consecration A significant milestone with the consecration of the temple by Pope Benedict XVI 1926 Gaudi's Death Gaudi died on June 10, 1926, after being run over by a tram three days earlier; he was buried in the basilica 2026 Hopeful Completion As of now, the construction of the Sagrada Familia is aiming to be done by 2026 Note: CNC = computer numerical control. Source: Created by the author, based on "History of the Temple," Sagrada Famlia, accessed March 28, 2020, https://sagradafamilia.org/en/history-of-the-temple [30] Draft an essay in which you describe, from your perspective, what the major obstacles are to finishing construction of the Sagrada Famlia. In your response ensure you support your perspective with examples from the case study and relevant theory where applicable. Note that two marks each will be awarded for an introduction and a conclusion to the essay. (30) Source: Author. EXHIBIT 2: THE SAGRADA FAMLIA PASSION FACADE, 2020 700 Source: Author. EXHIBIT 1: THE SAGRADA FAMLIA NATIVITY FACADE, 2020 28 On June 7, 2020, the basilica announced a phased reopening, starting with Phase One, the "Tribute Phase." The Sagrada Famlia opened in early July to front-line workers, in an effort to celebrate and appreciate them for fighting and working to prevent COVID-19. Phase Two, "Barcelona Time," allowed for Barcelona residents to enjoy visiting the basilica free of chargeover multiple weeks. Finally, the basilica announced that on July 25, 2020, it would reopen to all visitors, with extra safety precautions in place to minimize the risk of contracting or spreading the virus. Additionally, the Sagrada Famlia's virus mitigation plans included transitioning from paper booklets and pamphlets to an entirely digital model for tours and masses, as well as offering a virtual tour on its website, for people to enjoy the basilica from the comfort of their homes. WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE SAGRADA FAMLIA? As the construction completion deadline approached, controversy was growing around the 27 question of whether the Sagrada Famlia should actually be finished. Some said the basilica's perpetual state of construction was central to its charm. Others argued that the building's current form incorporated less than half of Gaudi's original design, with many of his detailed plans having been destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. However, the Sagrada Famlia represented artistic and cultural significance unlike any other building. Despite construction obstacles, the basilica, whether complete or incomplete, accomplished its purpose as a beautiful work of art celebrating the Christian faith. Numerous opportunities and challenges laid ahead for the Sagrada Famlia. How could the Sagrada Famlia continue to attract its yearly visitors and ensure enough funding to complete the project on schedule? How could Faul honour Gaud's legacy while also satisfying stakeholders' interests in the project? which was extremely cheap and allowed for last-minute adjustments. He then proceeded to model his design with durable materials such as gypsum to add greater detail. In between stages in the process, he incorporated validation steps by making multiple models and selecting the most durable one as the final concept. Each iteration for Gaud represented a higher level of mastery. His successors continued his legacy using the models, schemas, and designs he had left behind. The Sagrada Famlia could be described as a project with no end, and a complicated design that had led tovarious construction challenges. However, it was also a breathtaking piece of art that could be admired for hours. Despite having taken over a century to build and still incomplete, the Sagrada Familia's unfinished form added to its charm, as each visit to the structure could provide a unique experience and continued to draw millions of visitors every year. Comparatively, most projects were typically in development for years before being released to the end-user and were often met with little to no demand once released. Agile project management was about prototyping, iterating, and learning how to incorporate obstacles, instead of avoiding them. The Sagrada Famlia project was an example of continuous delivery and of satisfying the customer throughout the project's life cycle. The impact of COVID-19 COVID-19 was severely affecting the Sagrada Famlia's tentative completion dates. The uncertainty around how long the quarantine conditions would last added an extra layer of unpredictability for reassessing timelines. On March 11, 2020, the Construction Board of the Sagrada Famlia Foundation announced a halt in both construction of and visits to the basilica. Understandably, this was done to ensure the protection of workers and tourists alike. In the midst of the pandemic in 2020, over the Easter weekend, a time when normally over 20,000 people visited the basilica for the illumination of the Passion facade, the basilica showed footage of the previous year's celebration. Over 60,000 people tuned in to watch this online. 26 The use of 3-D modelling had become a staple in the project, as it both allowed for precise design and reduced cost. Structural problems that would have daunted previous builders were eliminated, as the designwent directly from the model to a robotic arm, and the materials were then cut precisely to shape and size. The ability to model the building also reduced construction time: historically, decorative details had to be cut by skilled craftsman, but now they could be completed by fast-moving computer-numerical-control cutters working from digital patterns. In 2013, a time-lapse projection of the Sagrada Famlia was published to show how the construction would unfold over the next 13 years. The video, which used aerial photography and sophisticated digital imaging, depicted the definitive vision of the future basilica. Through the culmination of years of archival research to determine Gaud's intentions, the team was able to sufficiently produce a virtual model. This also allowed the Construction Board of the Sagrada Famlia Foundation to make tough decisions about what could and could not be done, thereby refining the project scope. Another technological advancement leveraged by the basilica's Technology Department was virtual reality. Sagrada Familia's chief information officer, Fernando Villa, explained, "Virtual reality enables us to see the designs scaled to their actual size, with the textures and materials required whilst allowing us to make changes with minimal impact on cost and time. This saves us time and money without constructing mock-ups." 25 Agile Project Management application Agile project management emphasized the journey or process to a project's completion, as reflected in the management of the Sagrada Familia's construction. It was an iterative approach that focused on incorporating feedback; required flexibility; and broke down large projects into smaller, more manageabletasks tackled in short iterations or sprints. This enabled teams to easily adapt to change and to ensure fastwork delivery when faced with chaos or uncertainty. The agile methodology also allowed teams to re-evaluate the work they were completing and make adjustments as the work and landscape changed. While working on the Sagrada Famlia, Gaud had taken an iterative approach to his work. First, he wouldsketch an independent element of the basilica and then prototype his sketch using clay, In recent years, the construction team had relied on prefabrication to increase speed and reduce risk. The prefabricated units were built in Gai, 80 kilometres from Barcelona, before being shipped to the site and assembled there. As Puig explained, "This is a process of changing from completely handmade production, which was done with the abundant skilled labour that existed at the time of Gaud, to an increasingly industrialized form of production. There are two reasons for this change, there are fewer skilled workers and the adjustment to the industrialized world makes it possible to increase the production rate." Additionally, physical modelling was still a crucial part of the design process, as it had been for Gaud, and the models used by the current team leveraged computer-aided design software. The development of new materials had also had an effect on the basilica's construction over time. Materials that were not available during Gaudi's time, such as high-strength concrete, stainless steel, engineered wood, light metal, and various types of mortar, had since been used. Furthermore, modern buildings had to adhere to different safety and performance standards compared to those of the early twentieth century. Despite roadblocks to its construction, the Sagrada Famlia had continued to adapt over time to changing circumstances while meeting modern requirements around evacuation procedures, protection, and performance. 24 The Impact of Technology Since its commencement in 1882, the construction of the Sagrada Famlia had been influenced by significant technological advancements. Gaudi himself was already ahead of his time when he began designing and using three-dimensional (3-D) model mock-ups before beginning construction; present-day designers continued to leverage and adopt this method. In 2001, 3-D printing was introduced to the project to speed up the design and prototyping processes. Priorto the introduction of 3-D printing, handmade prototypes were created before anything new was built to scale. The 3-D printer printed material similar to plaster, which allowed designers to mould and make slightmodifications, if necessary. It took about 12 hours to print an entire model, and they were modular, meaning that the designers could swap certain pieces individually as they changed the designs. What is the Cultural Significance? When construction of the Sagrada Famlia first began, there was no way of knowing that it would remain incomplete 138 years later. At the same time, perhaps no one could have predicted that it would become one of the top-visited tourist attractions in the country. For the city of Barcelona itself, the Sagrada Famlia represented heritage, art, and national pride. One of the construction workers on the project commented, "God willing, we will be the generation that finishes the church." In 2019, over 9.47 million tourists visited Barcelona. And even though the Sagrada Famlia was not complete, over three million tourists visited the basilica every year. For many visitors, it was likely that even seeing the semi-completed basilica was worth the trip to Spain. Gaud's legacy was world renown, and tourists were the driving force behind the basilica, as visitor fees funded the project. It was estimated that the construction of the Sagrada Famlia cost around 25 million every year, all of this collected from donations and tourist dollars. 23 What were the Construction Roadblocks? Over decades of construction, an array of materials and methods had been used on the Sagrada Famlia. Itslong history offered a unique look at how the scope of the project and the system behind it had progressed over the last century. In addition to the change in architects working on the project were other challenges to the basilica's construction. During Gaud's lifetime, the basilica's bell towers were made from Montjuc sandstone in Barcelona; however, in current times the stone could only be sourced from demolished buildings, as the quarries in theregion had been exhausted, and extraction had been shut down years earlier. According to David Puig, anarchitect in the Projects Department at the Sagrada Famlia, it was for this reason that "extensive research was done to find materials similar in character and properties. Several stones have been identified that meet similar properties of durability, resistance and colour. The solution is a combination of several stones that emulate the original closely." The Spanish Civil War - a travesty From 1936 to 1939, the Spanish Civil War took over the country, including the city of Barcelona. During the unrest, many important monuments and buildings in the city were set on fire, including the Sagrada Famlia. The damage resulting from these fires was disastrous. All of the original plans that Gaud had created, stored in the crypt of the basilica, were burned. His plaster models were smashed. From then on, architects and designers tried piecing together the project plans using photographs and designs that had been published in newspapers and journals. Without those printed copies, it was unlikely that Gaudi's original plans could have been carried out to the extent that they were. Unfortunately, the basilica endured many other minor acts of vandalism throughout the course of its construction and had to adjust accordingly. The Twenty-First Century progress In the years since Gaud's death, nine different architects had taken on the project and tried to follow Gaud's original vision of the Sagrada Famlia as closely as possible. However, many of the architects and designers involved with the project eventually walked away because of the project's massive scope and the lack of detailed plans available. The current chief architect and site manager for the Sagrada Famlia was Barcelona-born Jordi Faul, who assumed control in 2012. Faul first began working on the project in 1990 as a junior architect led by Jordi Bonet. In 2009, Faul completed his doctoral thesis on the Sagrada Familia's design. Shortly after his appointment as chief architect, Faul surprised many when he declared the project's overall architectural form would be completed around 2026, 100 years after Gaud's death, provided circumstances allowed construction to follow the current pace. Faul and the project team, which was made of up more than 300 workers, had managed to achieve an accelerated pace by establishing a firmer idea of the project scope and by leveraging technology to make that pace possible. 22 The Sagrada Famlia was a source of inspiration for bookseller Josep Mara Bocabella, a devout man who, in 1866, founded the Asociacin Espiritual de Devotos de San Jos (the Asociacin). This entity collaborated in the dissemination and promotion of Catholicism during the time of the Industrial Revolution. In 1881, the Asociacin gained enough donations to purchase a 12,800-metre-square plot of land for a price of 172,000 pesetas (1,034) to build the basilica. Construction began on the feast day of Saint Joseph in 1882 (see Exhibit 3). In 1883, Gaud took the place of the Sagrada Familia's original architect, Francisco de Paula del Villar, a year after construction began, due to a difference in opinion between del Villar and the project board. Early Construction Overview While Gaud worked on the basilica, he was also involved in other projects, including the Casa Vicens, a house in Barcelona later converted to a museum. From 1883 to 1914, Gaud worked on 18 other projects while also dedicating his time to the Sagrada Famlia. During the same time frame, the Chapel of Saint Joseph in the crypt was completed, and the basilica started hosting masses. 21 Gaud's unfortunate Death Nicknamed "God's architect," Gaud stated that his client was not in a hurry, indicating that he was not concerned about the time that it was taking to build the Sagrada Famlia. In 1914, Gaud threw himself further into his work and moved his workshop inside the Sagrada Famlia. He never married, nor had children, instead focusing solely on his work and on Catholicism. During his later life, Gaud became evenmore religious, attending mass and praying each day. Gaud spent the last 12 years of his life devoted to the basilica. He died on June 10, 1926, when he was run over by a tram. When Gaud passed away, the basilica was only 25 per cent complete. On June 12, he was buried in the crypt of the Sagrada Famlia, where his body has remained since. After Gaud's death, his assistant Domnec Sugraes took over management of the project. 21 REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL (RBS) - JULY 2023 MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - ACADEMIC AND ASSESSMENT CALENDAR - DISTANCE The Spanish Civil War - a travesty From 1936 to 1939, the Spanish Civil War took over the country, including the city of Barcelona. During the unrest, many important monuments and buildings in the city were set on fire, including the Sagrada Famlia. representative of a different person of biblical significance: the 12 apostles, the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ. Additionally, the Sagrada Famlia would incorporate three facades (architectural elements that portrayed a scene on the exterior of a building): the Nativity (see Exhibit 1), depicting the birth of Jesus Christ; the Passion (see Exhibit 2), portraying His death on the cross for the sins of humanity; and the Glory, depicting Him sitting in heaven, at the right hand of God. Clearly, the unfinished basilica was beautiful to behold, and its size, stature, and allure alone were enough to draw a crowd. It was a work of art combining Gothic and curvilinear art nouveau architecture. However, the greatest reason why it attracted millions of visitors each year was arguably the architect himself, Gaudi. THE ARCHITECT-BACKGROUND Gaud was born in 1852 in Reus, Catalonia. He spent most of his childhood years observing nature in Reus, which would become a significant inspiration for his work. In primary school, he excelled in geometry and arithmetic, and he later received a traditional religious education in the humanities. Gaud eventually moved to Barcelona, Catalonia's capital, and centre of culture, to attend the Provincial School of Architecture. After completing his degree, Gaud's professional reputation quickly took off as he worked on large projects commissioned by the bourgeoisie, including Casa Calvet, Casa Batll, and Casa Mil. Throughout his life, Gaud remained a deeply religious man and drew inspiration from the Bible. He also enjoyed experimenting with scale models, testing the shapes and structures that would later be used in his constructions. Gaud remained one of the most iconic figures of Catalan culture and international architecture. By 2005, seven of his works had been declared World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Timeline in terms of Construction The Beginning of the Process 20 THE SAGRADA FAMILIA: TOWARDS A LASTING LEGACY The closure of the Basilica de la Sagrada Famlia (Sagrada Famlia) on March 13, 2020, due to the Coronavirus outbreak left a question mark around whether the expected 2026 construction completion goal for the basilica was still attainable. Although COVID-19 made it unclear as to when both building and tourism would start again, the pandemic was just one of many difficulties that the basilica had faced in its time. From the unfortunate death of the basilica's foremost architect to the Spanish Civil War, the Sagrada Famlia in Barcelona, Spain, had been under construction for 138 years and was one of the longest running architectural projects ever undertaken. The global contagion presented yet another challenge to meeting the project's deadline. Would the construction of the basilica be delayed again? In a typical year, over three million tourists from around the world came to admire Antoni Gaudi's uncompleted work of genius, supplying the main source of funding for the basilica. As the beautiful towering structure stood empty, the construction team had to decide how to continue with the project to ensure its long-term recognition while also respecting Gaudi's legacy. 19 THE SAGRADA FAMLIA HISTORY AN OVERVIEW Located on the Carrer de Mallorca in Barcelona, Spain, the Sagrada Famlia was originally envisioned to be an average church. However, when Gaud took over as designer and architect, he wanted to build something grander and suggested building a cathedral instead, drawing inspiration from the Barcelona Cathedral floor plans. After a few decades of construction, the Sagrada Famlia, initially designated as a cathedral, was officially proclaimed a basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, given the absence of a bishop's home. Construction plans for the Sagrada Famlia showed that it would reach 172 metres in height at the tallest spire or tower. When completed, the basilica would have 18 towers QUESTION TWO [30] In your view, who are the main project stakeholders, and how in your opinion have they contributed to the Sagrada Famlia? Note that two marks each will be awarded for an introduction and a conclusion to the essay. Note that two marks each will be awarded for an introduction and a conclusion to the essay. (30) QUESTION THREE [30] From the case study it is apparent that that the project could be considered either a success or a failure. Imagine you are the project manager in charge of the project. Draft an essay in which you provide a view of both sides of the argument, using examples from the case study to support each perspective. In addition to the dual perspective, offer four key lessons learned from the project in your opinion and explain what your recommendations would be going forward. Note that two marks each will be awarded for an introduction and a conclusion to the essay. (30) QUESTION FOUR [10] Some of the risks that are apparent in the project are for example; the flexible project timeframe, unpredictable funding, lack of clarity around how the basilica would be assembled, especially with the advent of technological advances at the turn of the century. Additionally, one could also distinguish risk in terms of how intricate the project was coupled with the length of time to completion. In the context of the aforementioned risks, what are some possible mitigations or solutions to the construction challenges on the project? (10) 31 1882 Groundbreaking The cornerstone was laid, under the direction of Francisco de Paula del Villar 1936-1939 EXHIBIT 3: PROJECT TIMELINE OF THE SAGRADA FAMLIA Destruction During the Spanish Civil War, the crypt was set on fire and the design plans were destroyed QUESTION ONE 1883 Project Timeline Architect Change Issues between the developers and del Villar arose, and Gaudi took over 1940-Present Continued Construction Many sculptors and architects have played their part in the basilica's construction 1883-1913 Grandeur As construction continued and donations increased. Gaudi continued to improve design plans 21st Century Advancing Technology Computer-aided design and CNC have advanced the construction process 1914-1926 Dedication From 1914 to 1926, Gaudi worked exclusively on the Sagrada Familia 2010 Consecration A significant milestone with the consecration of the temple by Pope Benedict XVI 1926 Gaudi's Death Gaudi died on June 10, 1926, after being run over by a tram three days earlier; he was buried in the basilica 2026 Hopeful Completion As of now, the construction of the Sagrada Familia is aiming to be done by 2026 Note: CNC = computer numerical control. Source: Created by the author, based on "History of the Temple," Sagrada Famlia, accessed March 28, 2020, https://sagradafamilia.org/en/history-of-the-temple [30] Draft an essay in which you describe, from your perspective, what the major obstacles are to finishing construction of the Sagrada Famlia. In your response ensure you support your perspective with examples from the case study and relevant theory where applicable. Note that two marks each will be awarded for an introduction and a conclusion to the essay. (30) Source: Author. EXHIBIT 2: THE SAGRADA FAMLIA PASSION FACADE, 2020 700 Source: Author. EXHIBIT 1: THE SAGRADA FAMLIA NATIVITY FACADE, 2020 28 On June 7, 2020, the basilica announced a phased reopening, starting with Phase One, the "Tribute Phase." The Sagrada Famlia opened in early July to front-line workers, in an effort to celebrate and appreciate them for fighting and working to prevent COVID-19. Phase Two, "Barcelona Time," allowed for Barcelona residents to enjoy visiting the basilica free of chargeover multiple weeks. Finally, the basilica announced that on July 25, 2020, it would reopen to all visitors, with extra safety precautions in place to minimize the risk of contracting or spreading the virus. Additionally, the Sagrada Famlia's virus mitigation plans included transitioning from paper booklets and pamphlets to an entirely digital model for tours and masses, as well as offering a virtual tour on its website, for people to enjoy the basilica from the comfort of their homes. WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE SAGRADA FAMLIA? As the construction completion deadline approached, controversy was growing around the 27 question of whether the Sagrada Famlia should actually be finished. Some said the basilica's perpetual state of construction was central to its charm. Others argued that the building's current form incorporated less than half of Gaudi's original design, with many of his detailed plans having been destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. However, the Sagrada Famlia represented artistic and cultural significance unlike any other building. Despite construction obstacles, the basilica, whether complete or incomplete, accomplished its purpose as a beautiful work of art celebrating the Christian faith. Numerous opportunities and challenges laid ahead for the Sagrada Famlia. How could the Sagrada Famlia continue to attract its yearly visitors and ensure enough funding to complete the project on schedule? How could Faul honour Gaud's legacy while also satisfying stakeholders' interests in the project? which was extremely cheap and allowed for last-minute adjustments. He then proceeded to model his design with durable materials such as gypsum to add greater detail. In between stages in the process, he incorporated validation steps by making multiple models and selecting the most durable one as the final concept. Each iteration for Gaud represented a higher level of mastery. His successors continued his legacy using the models, schemas, and designs he had left behind. The Sagrada Famlia could be described as a project with no end, and a complicated design that had led tovarious construction challenges. However, it was also a breathtaking piece of art that could be admired for hours. Despite having taken over a century to build and still incomplete, the Sagrada Familia's unfinished form added to its charm, as each visit to the structure could provide a unique experience and continued to draw millions of visitors every year. Comparatively, most projects were typically in development for years before being released to the end-user and were often met with little to no demand once released. Agile project management was about prototyping, iterating, and learning how to incorporate obstacles, instead of avoiding them. The Sagrada Famlia project was an example of continuous delivery and of satisfying the customer throughout the project's life cycle. The impact of COVID-19 COVID-19 was severely affecting the Sagrada Famlia's tentative completion dates. The uncertainty around how long the quarantine conditions would last added an extra layer of unpredictability for reassessing timelines. On March 11, 2020, the Construction Board of the Sagrada Famlia Foundation announced a halt in both construction of and visits to the basilica. Understandably, this was done to ensure the protection of workers and tourists alike. In the midst of the pandemic in 2020, over the Easter weekend, a time when normally over 20,000 people visited the basilica for the illumination of the Passion facade, the basilica showed footage of the previous year's celebration. Over 60,000 people tuned in to watch this online. 26 The use of 3-D modelling had become a staple in the project, as it both allowed for precise design and reduced cost. Structural problems that would have daunted previous builders were eliminated, as the designwent directly from the model to a robotic arm, and the materials were then cut precisely to shape and size. The ability to model the building also reduced construction time: historically, decorative details had to be cut by skilled craftsman, but now they could be completed by fast-moving computer-numerical-control cutters working from digital patterns. In 2013, a time-lapse projection of the Sagrada Famlia was published to show how the construction would unfold over the next 13 years. The video, which used aerial photography and sophisticated digital imaging, depicted the definitive vision of the future basilica. Through the culmination of years of archival research to determine Gaud's intentions, the team was able to sufficiently produce a virtual model. This also allowed the Construction Board of the Sagrada Famlia Foundation to make tough decisions about what could and could not be done, thereby refining the project scope. Another technological advancement leveraged by the basilica's Technology Department was virtual reality. Sagrada Familia's chief information officer, Fernando Villa, explained, "Virtual reality enables us to see the designs scaled to their actual size, with the textures and materials required whilst allowing us to make changes with minimal impact on cost and time. This saves us time and money without constructing mock-ups." 25 Agile Project Management application Agile project management emphasized the journey or process to a project's completion, as reflected in the management of the Sagrada Familia's construction. It was an iterative approach that focused on incorporating feedback; required flexibility; and broke down large projects into smaller, more manageabletasks tackled in short iterations or sprints. This enabled teams to easily adapt to change and to ensure fastwork delivery when faced with chaos or uncertainty. The agile methodology also allowed teams to re-evaluate the work they were completing and make adjustments as the work and landscape changed. While working on the Sagrada Famlia, Gaud had taken an iterative approach to his work. First, he wouldsketch an independent element of the basilica and then prototype his sketch using clay, In recent years, the construction team had relied on prefabrication to increase speed and reduce risk. The prefabricated units were built in Gai, 80 kilometres from Barcelona, before being shipped to the site and assembled there. As Puig explained, "This is a process of changing from completely handmade production, which was done with the abundant skilled labour that existed at the time of Gaud, to an increasingly industrialized form of production. There are two reasons for this change, there are fewer skilled workers and the adjustment to the industrialized world makes it possible to increase the production rate." Additionally, physical modelling was still a crucial part of the design process, as it had been for Gaud, and the models used by the current team leveraged computer-aided design software. The development of new materials had also had an effect on the basilica's construction over time. Materials that were not available during Gaudi's time, such as high-strength concrete, stainless steel, engineered wood, light metal, and various types of mortar, had since been used. Furthermore, modern buildings had to adhere to different safety and performance standards compared to those of the early twentieth century. Despite roadblocks to its construction, the Sagrada Famlia had continued to adapt over time to changing circumstances while meeting modern requirements around evacuation procedures, protection, and performance. 24 The Impact of Technology Since its commencement in 1882, the construction of the Sagrada Famlia had been influenced by significant technological advancements. Gaudi himself was already ahead of his time when he began designing and using three-dimensional (3-D) model mock-ups before beginning construction; present-day designers continued to leverage and adopt this method. In 2001, 3-D printing was introduced to the project to speed up the design and prototyping processes. Priorto the introduction of 3-D printing, handmade prototypes were created before anything new was built to scale. The 3-D printer printed material similar to plaster, which allowed designers to mould and make slightmodifications, if necessary. It took about 12 hours to print an entire model, and they were modular, meaning that the designers could swap certain pieces individually as they changed the designs. What is the Cultural Significance? When construction of the Sagrada Famlia first began, there was no way of knowing that it would remain incomplete 138 years later. At the same time, perhaps no one could have predicted that it would become one of the top-visited tourist attractions in the country. For the city of Barcelona itself, the Sagrada Famlia represented heritage, art, and national pride. One of the construction workers on the project commented, "God willing, we will be the generation that finishes the church." In 2019, over 9.47 million tourists visited Barcelona. And even though the Sagrada Famlia was not complete, over three million tourists visited the basilica every year. For many visitors, it was likely that even seeing the semi-completed basilica was worth the trip to Spain. Gaud's legacy was world renown, and tourists were the driving force behind the basilica, as visitor fees funded the project. It was estimated that the construction of the Sagrada Famlia cost around 25 million every year, all of this collected from donations and tourist dollars. 23 What were the Construction Roadblocks? Over decades of construction, an array of materials and methods had been used on the Sagrada Famlia. Itslong history offered a unique look at how the scope of the project and the system behind it had progressed over the last century. In addition to the change in architects working on the project were other challenges to the basilica's construction. During Gaud's lifetime, the basilica's bell towers were made from Montjuc sandstone in Barcelona; however, in current times the stone could only be sourced from demolished buildings, as the quarries in theregion had been exhausted, and extraction had been shut down years earlier. According to David Puig, anarchitect in the Projects Department at the Sagrada Famlia, it was for this reason that "extensive research was done to find materials similar in character and properties. Several stones have been identified that meet similar properties of durability, resistance and colour. The solution is a combination of several stones that emulate the original closely." The Spanish Civil War - a travesty From 1936 to 1939, the Spanish Civil War took over the country, including the city of Barcelona. During the unrest, many important monuments and buildings in the city were set on fire, including the Sagrada Famlia. The damage resulting from these fires was disastrous. All of the original plans that Gaud had created, stored in the crypt of the basilica, were burned. His plaster models were smashed. From then on, architects and designers tried piecing together the project plans using photographs and designs that had been published in newspapers and journals. Without those printed copies, it was unlikely that Gaudi's original plans could have been carried out to the extent that they were. Unfortunately, the basilica endured many other minor acts of vandalism throughout the course of its construction and had to adjust accordingly. The Twenty-First Century progress In the years since Gaud's death, nine different architects had taken on the project and tried to follow Gaud's original vision of the Sagrada Famlia as closely as possible. However, many of the architects and designers involved with the project eventually walked away because of the project's massive scope and the lack of detailed plans available. The current chief architect and site manager for the Sagrada Famlia was Barcelona-born Jordi Faul, who assumed control in 2012. Faul first began working on the project in 1990 as a junior architect led by Jordi Bonet. In 2009, Faul completed his doctoral thesis on the Sagrada Familia's design. Shortly after his appointment as chief architect, Faul surprised many when he declared the project's overall architectural form would be completed around 2026, 100 years after Gaud's death, provided circumstances allowed construction to follow the current pace. Faul and the project team, which was made of up more than 300 workers, had managed to achieve an accelerated pace by establishing a firmer idea of the project scope and by leveraging technology to make that pace possible. 22 The Sagrada Famlia was a source of inspiration for bookseller Josep Mara Bocabella, a devout man who, in 1866, founded the Asociacin Espiritual de Devotos de San Jos (the Asociacin). This entity collaborated in the dissemination and promotion of Catholicism during the time of the Industrial Revolution. In 1881, the Asociacin gained enough donations to purchase a 12,800-metre-square plot of land for a price of 172,000 pesetas (1,034) to build the basilica. Construction began on the feast day of Saint Joseph in 1882 (see Exhibit 3). In 1883, Gaud took the place of the Sagrada Familia's original architect, Francisco de Paula del Villar, a year after construction began, due to a difference in opinion between del Villar and the project board. Early Construction Overview While Gaud worked on the basilica, he was also involved in other projects, including the Casa Vicens, a house in Barcelona later converted to a museum. From 1883 to 1914, Gaud worked on 18 other projects while also dedicating his time to the Sagrada Famlia. During the same time frame, the Chapel of Saint Joseph in the crypt was completed, and the basilica started hosting masses. 21 Gaud's unfortunate Death Nicknamed "God's architect," Gaud stated that his client was not in a hurry, indicating that he was not concerned about the time that it was taking to build the Sagrada Famlia. In 1914, Gaud threw himself further into his work and moved his workshop inside the Sagrada Famlia. He never married, nor had children, instead focusing solely on his work and on Catholicism. During his later life, Gaud became evenmore religious, attending mass and praying each day. Gaud spent the last 12 years of his life devoted to the basilica. He died on June 10, 1926, when he was run over by a tram. When Gaud passed away, the basilica was only 25 per cent complete. On June 12, he was buried in the crypt of the Sagrada Famlia, where his body has remained since. After Gaud's death, his assistant Domnec Sugraes took over management of the project. 21 REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL (RBS) - JULY 2023 MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - ACADEMIC AND ASSESSMENT CALENDAR - DISTANCE The Spanish Civil War - a travesty From 1936 to 1939, the Spanish Civil War took over the country, including the city of Barcelona. During the unrest, many important monuments and buildings in the city were set on fire, including the Sagrada Famlia. representative of a different person of biblical significance: the 12 apostles, the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ. Additionally, the Sagrada Famlia would incorporate three facades (architectural elements that portrayed a scene on the exterior of a building): the Nativity (see Exhibit 1), depicting the birth of Jesus Christ; the Passion (see Exhibit 2), portraying His death on the cross for the sins of humanity; and the Glory, depicting Him sitting in heaven, at the right hand of God. Clearly, the unfinished basilica was beautiful to behold, and its size, stature, and allure alone were enough to draw a crowd. It was a work of art combining Gothic and curvilinear art nouveau architecture. However, the greatest reason why it attracted millions of visitors each year was arguably the architect himself, Gaudi. THE ARCHITECT-BACKGROUND Gaud was born in 1852 in Reus, Catalonia. He spent most of his childhood years observing nature in Reus, which would become a significant inspiration for his work. In primary school, he excelled in geometry and arithmetic, and he later received a traditional religious education in the humanities. Gaud eventually moved to Barcelona, Catalonia's capital, and centre of culture, to attend the Provincial School of Architecture. After completing his degree, Gaud's professional reputation quickly took off as he worked on large projects commissioned by the bourgeoisie, including Casa Calvet, Casa Batll, and Casa Mil. Throughout his life, Gaud remained a deeply religious man and drew inspiration from the Bible. He also enjoyed experimenting with scale models, testing the shapes and structures that would later be used in his constructions. Gaud remained one of the most iconic figures of Catalan culture and international architecture. By 2005, seven of his works had been declared World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Timeline in terms of Construction The Beginning of the Process 20 THE SAGRADA FAMILIA: TOWARDS A LASTING LEGACY The closure of the Basilica de la Sagrada Famlia (Sagrada Famlia) on March 13, 2020, due to the Coronavirus outbreak left a question mark around whether the expected 2026 construction completion goal for the basilica was still attainable. Although COVID-19 made it unclear as to when both building and tourism would start again, the pandemic was just one of many difficulties that the basilica had faced in its time. From the unfortunate death of the basilica's foremost architect to the Spanish Civil War, the Sagrada Famlia in Barcelona, Spain, had been under construction for 138 years and was one of the longest running architectural projects ever undertaken. The global contagion presented yet another challenge to meeting the project's deadline. Would the construction of the basilica be delayed again? In a typical year, over three million tourists from around the world came to admire Antoni Gaudi's uncompleted work of genius, supplying the main source of funding for the basilica. As the beautiful towering structure stood empty, the construction team had to decide how to continue with the project to ensure its long-term recognition while also respecting Gaudi's legacy. 19 THE SAGRADA FAMLIA HISTORY AN OVERVIEW Located on the Carrer de Mallorca in Barcelona, Spain, the Sagrada Famlia was originally envisioned to be an average church. However, when Gaud took over as designer and architect, he wanted to build something grander and suggested building a cathedral instead, drawing inspiration from the Barcelona Cathedral floor plans. After a few decades of construction, the Sagrada Famlia, initially designated as a cathedral, was officially proclaimed a basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, given the absence of a bishop's home. Construction plans for the Sagrada Famlia showed that it would reach 172 metres in height at the tallest spire or tower. When completed, the basilica would have 18 towers