La Sagrada Familia_Full podcast

Please follow this show on SpotifyIn this episode of Historical Projects, host David is joined by engineering and strategy leader Derek Hannigan to explore La Sagrada Família — a project that challenges everything we think we know about timelines, leadership, and long‑term vision.Derek shares his personal experience visiting the basilica,describing how seeing it at dawn, at night, and from his balcony transformed his understanding of the project. He and David trace the story from its 1882 origins under Francisco de Paula del Villar to the moment Antoni Gaudí took over and reimagined the entire design. Gaudí devoted the last 40 years of his life to the project, leaving behind models and geometric studies so detailed that future generations could continue the work after his death.“The people who poured the foundations in the 1880s knewwith certainty they would never see the finished building.”Together, David and Derek explore how the basilica survivedwars, funding shortages, the destruction of Gaudí’s original models, and the transition from hand‑built craftsmanship to computer‑aided design — all while staying true to its purpose. They connect this history to modern leadership: how to sustain vision across generations, how to adapt methods without losing purpose, and how to build cultures of stewardship rather than ownership.The episode blends vivid history with personal stories,strategic insight, and unforgettable details — from the stone‑forest interior to the stained‑glass light that shifts from cool blues to fiery reds as the day moves.If you’re passionate about strategy, architecture, or thewith the power of long‑term vision, this episode will leave you inspired by what humans can achieve together.Be sure to follow our community podcast.