Lessons in business architecture from Gaudí

Consecrated in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, the Sagrada Família is one of the worlds most (in)famous works in progress. Construction started in March 1882, to plans and designs of the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, but the original idea can be traced back to Josep Maria Bocabella's visit to Italy in 1872. 

Antoni Gaudí began work on the basilica after Villar's resignation in March 1883 and was appointed Architect Director in 1884. With the exception of the ground-plan and crypt, very little of the Gothic revival church that Villar had designed would be realised. Inspired by his faith, the landscapes of Catalonia, and his fascination with the geometry of the natural world, Gaudí set about creating his magnum opus.  

Long before his untimely death in 1926, Gaudí knew that his spectacular vision of grand fa?ades, ornate spires, rich symbolism and intricate decoration could never be realised within his lifetime. And so, for more than 12 years before the tragic accident that ended his life, he rendered his vision in a vast work of plans, drawings, narrative and three-dimensional models. 

These artefacts captured, depicted and described his vision in meticulous detail, clarity and fidelity. Such was the scope, scale and quality of his work that his magnificent, potent and unique vision endured and survived the death of its creator; the Spanish Civil War (in 1936); workshop and design studio fires; acts of vandalism; political interference; and numerous changes to the design and construction teams. 

“They [the models] contain the entire building's structural DNA,” says Mark Burry, an 'executive architect' and researcher who has worked on the Sagrada Família for 36 years, using modern technology to help translate Gaudí's designs for today's builders, craftsmen and artisans. “You can extract the architectural whole even from fragments. The models are how Gaudí met the architect's challenge: taking a complex, holistic idea and explicating it so others can understand and continue [to design, plan and build] it after your death.” 

The models are the architecture

It is the same challenge for today's business (and enterprise) architects: to take ideas, goals and inspiration; to form a complete and coherent vision; and to render and communicate that vision to those that will make it evident in every component they design and build (or realise or deliver). It matters not whether the component is structural or procedural or behavioural - what matters is that each is imbued with the qualities of the vision. 

... oh, yes, and do it quicker than Gaudí. The pious Gaudí was fond of saying, “My client is not in a hurry.” He was talking about God. 

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Ben is an independent Business Architect and designer of business models, solutions and services. He's available to hire via Guild Consulting, but he'll also consider retainers, advisory and permanent positions. 

You can read his other posts here, including: 'Why beehives aren't the size of sheds', 'Your goal isn't to make money' and 'Can I be a [Something] Architect too?'