Here’s Sagrada Família, our most ambitious architectural challenge yet

More than a building, the Sagrada Família is an architectural dream that has evolved over the past 144 years (still not fully completed). A monumental vision that has now become the largest and most ambitious LEGO® set ever created, with 12,060 pieces and standing over 24 in. (62 cm) high.

LEGO Architecture Sagrada Família (21065) is a love letter to Barcelona and Gaudí’s genius. Meticulously crafted to honor both this landmark’s recognizable complexity and its creator’s enduring architectural legacy.

To understand how this architectural wonder was brought to life in bricks, we spoke with Rok Žgalin Kobe, Master Model Designer at the LEGO Group (the visionary designer behind it). As an architect with a PhD in how sites influence contemporary architectural expression, Rok was the perfect visionary for this epic undertaking.

Some dreams come true in 12,060 pieces

“I’ve wanted to design the Sagrada Família ever since joining the LEGO Group. But it was impossible to do it justice on the small scale we used for most LEGO Architecture models. A small massing set simply wouldn’t be able to convey its monumentality,” Rok explains. When the larger-scale LEGO Notre Dame proved successful, the path forward became clear.

What sets this project apart is Rok’s meticulous research approach. Rather than relying on pictures and books, he traveled to Barcelona, where he spent two full days inside the basilica, climbing both the Nativity and Passion towers. “The genius of Gaudí needs to be experienced to be truly understood. My goal became to convey as much of it as possible into the LEGO model,” he emphasizes. That firsthand experience became the foundation for every design decision.

Recreating the structural brilliance

Aware that the Sagrada Família would not be finished within his lifetime, Gaudí intentionally chose to build each section one by one. “He intentionally chose to build the Nativity Facade first to create a ‘finished’ section that was so beautiful and intricate it would inspire the public to continue funding and building the church after he was gone”, Rok mentions.

This LEGO set doesn’t follow the conventional layer-by-layer build, but instead the basilica’s original section-by-section structure. “We mimic the timeline and the process [of the original basilica] closely in the LEGO set. Hopefully, the build takes people on a journey, delving deeper into its history and the genius of Gaudí,” he explains.

Starting with the Crypt and the Nativity Facade (the only section Gaudí completed before his death), then progressing to the Passion Facade, the interior naves, and finally the Glory Facade.

“I tried to follow the structural principles of the real basilica as closely as the LEGO System would allow,” Rok clarifies. With columns made from LEGO minifigure candle elements stacked upside down to create a rigid space-frame that mirrors Gaudí’s original vision.

Once built, you can remove the facades and explore the interior as if you were visiting this iconic Spanish landmark.

Lose yourself in every detail

One of the most captivating things about the Sagrada Família is its ‘light symphony’. To recreate the same effect that visitors experience in the real basilica, over 500 transparent LEGO pieces were used.

The interior naves feature skylights designed as ‘canopy gaps,’ echoing Gaudí’s vision of the basilica as a forest of columns. The Nativity side (east) features cool blues and greens for morning light, while the Passion side (west) glows with warm reds and oranges for evening light.

We love asking our designers about any hidden details, and the ones in this set are particularly mind-blowing: 533 radiator grille pieces that provide detail all around the model, 100 conical horn pieces (originally used as unicorn horns) topping the spires and 42 statues adorning the building.

Our favorite part? The blue tile directly beneath the Jesus Tower (the tallest one), as it represents the point zero of the basilica.

Classic pieces, extraordinary vision

At over 24 in. (62 cm) high, the LEGO Architecture Sagrada Família stands as both a technical achievement and a tribute to artistic vision. “No new elements have been designed for this set,” Rok notes. “Precisely to show the versatility of the LEGO System using only existing pieces.”

This design philosophy, that classic elements can achieve the extraordinary (when thoughtfully used), mirrors Gaudí’s own fusion of craftsmanship and advanced engineering.

More than just a landmark, the LEGO Architecture Sagrada Família is a journey through architectural ambition, a masterclass in structural thinking and a testament to visionary genius. Perfect for anyone who loves visionary design, architecture or travel.

Thank you, Rok, for translating this masterpiece into bricks.