What would Antonio Gaudí about the BIM methodology?

Antonio Gaudí is undoubtedly one of the most influential and celebrated architects of all time. He is widely known for his extraordinary and unique interpretation of modernist architecture, especially showcased in the many iconic buildings he designed in his beloved hometown of Barcelona. If we were to list every one of his masterpieces, we might never finish—the richness of each project lies not just in its aesthetic beauty but also in the context and stories Gaudí sought to communicate to society through his work.

But what if Gaudí were still alive today? What would he think of the construction process of his most iconic work, La Sagrada Família, which remains under construction more than a century after it began? More intriguingly, how might he react to the integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), into the continuation of his masterpiece?

One can only imagine Gaudí’s fascination with BIM. As an architect who was ahead of his time—constantly experimenting with new techniques and materials—he likely would have appreciated the precision, efficiency, and level of detail that BIM brings to modern construction. BIM allows architects and engineers to create highly accurate digital representations of buildings, enabling better coordination, clash detection, and visualization. It offers a degree of control and predictability that Gaudí could only have dreamed of in his era.

We can be fairly certain he would admire how the latest technology ensures his vision for the Sagrada Família is respected and faithfully executed. The accuracy and precision provided by BIM tools and other modern gadgets enhance the safety, quality, and guarantees that the project is being done the right way—perhaps even closer to his original intentions.

Whether Gaudí would fully agree with every aspect of today’s methodology is open to debate. However, there’s little doubt that he would be fascinated by how technology is helping bring his extraordinary vision to life with a level of exactitude that honors his genius.