Antoni Gaudí i Cornet was a Spanish Catalan architect from Reus and the best known practitioner of

Catalan Modernism. Gaudí's works reflect an individualized and distinctive style. Most are located in
Barcelona, including his magnum opus, the Sagrada Família. Gaudí's work was influenced by his passions
in life: architecture, nature, and religion. Gaudí considered every detail of his creations and integrated
into his architecture such crafts as ceramics, stained glass, wrought ironwork forging and carpentry. He
also introduced new techniques in the treatment of materials, such as trencadís which used waste ceramic
pieces

This monumental basilica is known in Spanish as "el Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia", which
literally translates to the "Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Family". Although the official starting date of
work on the basilica is March 19, 1882, construction truly began over a year later on August 25, 1883.

Originally, it was architect Francisco de Paula del Villar who was in charge of the project, which he
envisioned in a classic Gothic style. His plans consisted of a three-nave church with elements such as
blister windows, exterior buttresses and a high needle-like spire, all typical to Gothic architecture. But
eventually, the work was entrusted to Antoni Gaudí in 1883, aged just 31 years old. Gaudí completely
changed the original project and began building his most famous work, which marked his style, made him
known worldwide, and allowed him to be known as the master of modern architecture.

From the time he took over the project until his death in 1926, Gaudí worked to build this unique temple
that was intended to become a universal masterpiece combining all symbols of Christianity.
The Sagrada Familia is an expiatory temple, that is to say, a place made to commemorate the reparation
of sins made against God or the laws of the Church. The work is directly financed by donations made by
visitors and the public, which explains its slow construction progress. Gaudí even once said "the Expiatory
Temple of the Sagrada Familia is made by the people and this is reflected in it. It is a work that is in the
hands of God and the will of the people". Construction still continues today and its completion is
scheduled for 2026, a date symbolic of the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death.

The Basilica of the Sagrada Família was the inspiration of a bookseller, Josep Maria Bocabella, founder of
Asociación Espiritual de Devotos de San José (Spiritual Association of Devotees of St. Joseph).[14]

After a visit to the Vatican in 1872, Bocabella returned from Italy with the intention of building a church
inspired by the basilica at Loreto.[14] The apse crypt of the church, funded by donations, was begun 19
March 1882, on the festival of St. Joseph, to the design of the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, whose
plan was for a Gothic revival church of a standard form.[14] The apse crypt was completed before Villar's
resignation on 18 March 1883, when Gaudí assumed responsibility for its design, which he changed
radically.[14] Antoni Gaudí began work on the church in 1883 but was not appointed Architect Director
until 1884.
Frank Owen Gehry, is a Canadian-born American architect, residing in Los Angeles.

A number of his buildings, including his private residence, have become world-renowned attractions. His
works are cited as being among the most important works of contemporary architecture in the 2010
World Architecture Survey, which led Vanity Fair to label him as "the most important architect of our
age".[2]

Gehry's best-known works include the titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; Walt Disney
Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles; Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, France; MIT Ray and Maria Stata
Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts; The Vontz Center for Molecular Studies on the University of
Cincinnati campus; Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle; New World Center in Miami Beach; Weisman Art
Museum at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis; Dancing House in Prague; the Vitra Design
Museum and the MARTa Herford museum in Germany; the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto; the
Cinémathèque Française in Paris; and 8 Spruce Street in New York City.

It was his private residence in Santa Monica, California that jump-started his career. Gehry is also the
designer of the future National Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial