Project Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Project Management - Research Paper Example In this, they prepare the initial timeline of the project and determine the preliminary costs of the project. Either in the conception phase, the management can establish the project user participation and the possible sources of funds. Finally, the management may decide if to continue with the project or alter (Lewis, 2007). Therefore, the initiation phase forms the most crucial stage of the project than all the other stages. It is the foundation stone laying stage that without it the progress of the project is futile. The second phase is the project-planning phase. Here, the management commences setting out the project plan. This involves reviewing of objectives and goals of the project. Besides, the management considers the strategies needed to achieve these goals and objectives (Lewis, 2007). In this, they think each activity is leading to the sequencing of activities that will open up to be the required project. In the planning phase, the management allocates time to sequencing activities and develop a risk management plan (Lewis, 2007). Either, they evaluate on the resources needed and their cost. Finally, in planning, they allocate budget to individual resources to ensure that the project will run efficiently. The third phase is the project launch or execution phase. This stage involves Performance of activities and tasks as planned. Management evaluates the overall performance to ensure that the project meets the set quality standards (Lewis, 2007). Besides, there is development individual and team skills aimed to enhance project performance. In addition, the information about the project is distributed to the stakeholders to attract the needed investors (Lewis, 2007). In this phase, also the management may select potential partners and outsource vendors. Then there is the project performance control. This is responsible for coordination of the change control across the entire project. It involves verification of the scope of the

An Evaluation of Traditional Concepts of an Individual Essay

An Evaluation of Traditional Concepts of an Individual - Essay Example There were also those who have sought personal glory and conquests, individuals like Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolph Hitler and Julius Cesar all of which had their own vision and version of the "ideal society" in which they sought to dominate. And finally there were those who have been known for their infamy and notoriety, otherwise known as deviants or villains. Is there anything that separates them and the other individuals The answer may be lie on the fact that these individuals may have discovered what it takes to be an individual that can stand above others. Or perhaps they have not been aware of the fact that they were exceptional or maybe they made their purpose clear to themselves that they want to achieve something that will grant them dominion above others. In any case, the individual is truly unique and each has the potential of unimaginable glory and achievement. This paper discusses some traditional and conventional concepts of the individual like how and what it take to be a n individual, how does the individual perceive his or herself, how are they able to cause either damage or benefit the environment and other individuals that they have been involved with. Any normal person would refer... Individual's posses a high sense of self that they have may have acquired during the early stages of development. The term "human being" has been the subject of debate for years, but in the traditional sense is synonymous to a person or an individual. Some sociologists and anthropologists adhere to this classical definition of the person while some say that this definition should be expanded. Others have proposed a total redefinition of what a person is. The classical definition is quite tricky, a person may also be defined as someone who is entitled to basic rights but then there are also other beings that are entitled to such rights such as the right to live for example ("Persons"; "Cultural Identity"). Some psychologists have been in fact went to as far as defining a person as a gestalt of thoughts and never defining it in the material sense, although this is too extreme. The individual can be defined when one is aware of his or herself. This "Conscious Theory of the Mind" suggests that the individual creates a mental image of his or herself a sort of "mental construct" which is distinct from anybody else. In an experiment by George Gallup in 1970, he demonstrates that some higher primates like chimpanzees. This experiment was a variation of the "Mark of Rouge" experiment where children a year old or more were written with a "mark of rouge", actually an erasable mark made with a crayon, in their foreheads. The child was placed in front of a mirror and was let to observe his or herself. Most of the children in the age of exactly one year reacted to their mirror image as if they saw another child. Older children simply wiped away their "rouge markings" once they observed

United States Deficit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

United States Deficit - Essay Example of the Federal Reserve, 6 % of State and Local Government, domestic and private investors 32% and the major portion of was the international investor who offered 46 %. These are the four most important places where U.S was able to borrow money from. The international investors like BP, DaimlerChrysler, ING group which are located in different countries like U.K and Netherlands provided the U.S with a major portion of the credit. Once this money is borrowed, both parties have to come into an agreement on how the interest will be paid. Once the U.S has borrowed money, they will pay the interest rates depending on each countries agreement with the U.S government. They can also exchange privileges. This means that that the U.S government can give an investor the opportunity to be able to switch from one mutual fund to another with the family without paying sales charges. Credit rating is a method used to evaluate the credit worthiness if a debtor and this can be a business or a government. This is done by a credit rating agency like Moody’s, Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor. . The credit rating of a government like U.S is a financial indicator to potential investors of securities like bonds. The Credit rating agency Standard and Poor (S&P) downgraded its credit rating of the U.S federal government from AAA (outstanding) to AA+( excellent) by the third quarter of the year 2011. This seems not to be good news to the U.S as international implication of public deficit will lead to higher current accounts deficit, it will also increase the risk of capital flight this affecting the image of the country. This will make international investors to shy away from investing in this country. The current account is a component of the balance of payment while the other being capital account. The current account balance measures the nature of a country’s foreign trade. The capital account determines how international capital flows and investment are recorded in the capital

CPA vs. Non-CPA Essay Example for Free

CPA vs. Non-CPA Essay Many people may ask, â€Å"What are the differences between being a CPA and just being a non-certified CPA,† there are actually a lot of differences between the two. A CPA or Certified Public Accountant is someone who has a license to practice public accounting that is issued by their State Board of Accountancy. CPA’s, in contrast, have normally studied or majored in accounting during college, sat for the CPA exam, worked in an accounting firm for at least two years, and completed 500 hours of auditing work in order to earn their certification. CPA’s are also required to complete a certain number of continuing education hours in order to keep their CPA license. A CPA can complete all three types of financial statements including: audited, reviewed, and compiled. â€Å"Non-certified accountants can simply hang up their shingle and open their doors for business† (Day). For non-certified accounts there are no educational requirements, however, in order for them to prepare taxes most states require that they complete a certain number of hours of the study of accounting and also complete continuing education hours per year. Non-certified CPA’s can only complete the last type of financial statements which is complied. The main question is how to choose whether to choose a CPA or non-certified CPA. â€Å"It has to do with the concept of free enterprise. Remember the old adage, Caveat Emptor? It means let the buyer beware† (Day). It is the client’s responsibility to choose the most qualified professional. Obviously, the auditing and review types of financial statements cost more than a complied one but some banks require a review of your books in order to receive a bank loan, so it would be in the clients best interest to have a CPA they trust already. Work Cited John Day. Theme: CPAs vs. Non-CPAs. 2008. Web. 27 November 2011. http://www.reallifeaccounting.com/pubs/Article_Theme_CPAs_vs_Non_CPAs.pdf

The Process Heat Exchangers Engineering Essay

The Process Heat Exchangers Engineering Essay In this chapter, a full unit of heat exchanger will be designed including its chemical and mechanical design. A heat exchanger is a device built for efficient heat transfer between two fluids from one medium to another. The medium may be separated by a solid wall, so that the fluids never mix, or the fluids may never be in direct contact. Two fluids of different temperatures will flow through the heat exchanger. Heat exchangers are widely used in space heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, power plants, chemical plants, petrochemical plants, petroleum refineries, and natural gas processing. 3.1.1 Classification of Heat Exchanger Heat exchangers may be classified according to their flow arrangement. There are two main flow arrangements which are parallel-flow and counter-current-flow. In parallel-flow heat exchangers, the two fluids enter the exchanger at the same end, and travel in parallel to one another to the other side. In counter-flow heat exchangers the fluids enter the exchanger from opposite ends. Compared both flow arrangements, the counter current design is most efficient, in that it can transfer the most heat from the heat transfer medium. 3.1.2 Types of Heat Exchanger There are many types of heat exchanger in industry. The types chosen based on the function of the heat exchanger itself. Choosing the right heat exchanger requires knowledge of different type of heat exchanger as well as well as the environment in which the heat exchanger will operate. With sufficient knowledge of heat exchanger types and operating requirements, the best selection can be made in optimizing the process. Below, in Table 3.1 are list of types and functions of each heat exchanger. Table 3.1: Types and Functions of Heat Exchanger in Industry No. Types Functions 1. Double pipe heat exchanger The simplest type. Use for heating and cooling. 2. Shell and tube heat exchanger Used for all application. 3. Plate exchanger Use for heating and cooling. 4. Plate-fin exchanger Use for heating and cooling. 5. Spiral heat exchanger Use for heating and cooling. 6. Air cooled Cooler and condenser. 7. Direct contact Cooling and quenching. 8. Agitated vessels Use for heating and cooling. 9. Fired heaters Use for heating and cooling. Source: Chemical Engineering Design, R.K.Sinnott. 3.1.3 Selections of Heat Exchanger Typically in the manufacturing industry, several different types of heat exchangers are used for just the one process or system to derive the final product. In order to select an appropriate heat exchanger, one would firstly consider the design limitations for each heat exchanger type. Although cost is often the first criterion evaluated, there are several other important selection criteria which include: High/ Low pressure limits Thermal Performance Temperature ranges Product Mix (liquid/liquid, particulates or high-solids liquid) Pressure Drops across the exchanger Fluid flow capacity Clean-ability, maintenance and repair Materials required for construction Ability and ease of future expansion 3.2 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN 3.2.1 Design Criteria for Process Heat Exchangers There are some criteria that a process heat exchanger must satisfy are easily enough stated if we confine ourselves to a certain process. The criteria include: The heat exchanger must meet the process requirements. This means that it must effect the desired change in thermal condition of the process stream within the allowable pressure drops. At the same time, it must continue doing this until the next scheduled shut down for maintenance. The heat exchanger must withstand the service conditions of the environment of the plant which includes the mechanical stresses of installation, startup, shutdown, normal operation, emergencies and maintenance. Besides, the heat exchanger must also resist corrosion by the environment, processes and streams. This is mainly a matter of choosing materials of construction, but mechanical design does have some effect. The heat exchanger must be maintainable, which usually implies choosing a configuration that permits cleaning and replacement. In order to do this, the limitations is the positioning the exchanger and providing clear space around it. Replacement usually involves tubes and other components that may be especially vulnerable to corrosion, erosion, or vibration. The cost of the heat exchanger should be consistent with requirements. Meaning of the cost here implement to the cost of installation. Operation cost and cost of lost production due to exchanger malfunction or unavailable should be considered earlier in the design. The limitations of the heat exchanger. Limitations are on length, diameter, weight and tube specifications due to plant requirements and process flow. 3.2.2 Structure of the Heat Exchanger The basic structure of heat exchanger is the same whether using hand design method or computer design method. The logical structure of the heat exchanger design procedure is shown in Figure 2.15. From the figure, clearer view and steps of designing a heat exchanger can be obtained. Figure 3.1: Basic Logical Structure of Heat Exchanger Design 3.3 CHEMICAL DESIGN 3.3.1 Problem Identification In designing a heat exchanger in production of 100, 000 metric tonnes/year of Acrylonitrile, there is only one heat exchanger exists. The function of it is to exchange the temperature between the stream from Reactor with the temperature from 125 °C to 25 °C and the stream comes from Reboiler 5 from 90 °C to 120 °C. 90.0 0C 125.0 0C 450.0 0C 120.0 0C Figure 3.2: Diagram of shell and tube heat exchanger 3.3.2 Determination of physical properties Table 3.2: Physical Properties of the tube side fluid (water) Properties Inlet Mean Outlet Temperature (0C) 90.0 105 120 Pressure (kPa) 70.139 120.82 198.52 Specific heat (kJ/kg0C) 4.204 4.224 4.249 Thermal conductivity (W/m0C) 0.1154 0.1198 0.1127 Density (kg/m3) 0.431 0.623 0.721 Viscosity (N sm-2) 3.145 x 10-4 2.677 x 10-4 2.321 x 10-4 Table 3.3: Physical Properties of shell fluid ( process fluid) Properties Average Temperature, Tave = 287.5 0C Pressure (kPa) 150 Specific heat (kJ/kg0C) 1.1 Thermal conductivity (W/m0C) 0.1553 Density (kg/m3) 1.255 Viscosity (N sm-2) 4.529 x 10-4 Only the thermal design will be carried out by using Kerns method. Since water is corrosive, so the tube-side is assign. Logarithmic mean temperature, Where, T1 = Inlet shell side fluid temperature T2 = Outlet shell side fluid temperature t1 = Inlet tube side fluid temperature t2 = Outlet tube side fluid temperature Thus, Log mean temperature = 131.4477 0C The true temperature difference is given by, Where, is the temperature correction factor From Figure 12.19, Chemical Engineering Design, Thus, 0C From Table 12.1(Sinnott 2005), we assume value of overall coefficient, U = 500.0 W/m2.oC. Heat Load: Heat transfer area, Where, Q = heat transferred per unit time (W) U = overall heat transfer coefficient,(W/m2.oC) Tm = the mean temperature difference (oC) Thus, = 190.126 m2 3.3.3 Tube-side coefficient Table 3.4: Dimension of Heat-Exchanger tubes Material Carbon Steel Outer diameter, Dto (mm) 50.8 Length of tube Lt (m) 5.0 Inner diameter, Dti (mm) 45.26 BWG number 12.0 Source: Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles, C. J. Geankoplis Heat transfer area of a tube, At = Ï€DoL = Ï€ (50.8 x 10-3) 5 = 0.798 m2 Number of tube, Nt = A/At = 190.126 / 0.798 = 238.25 = 239 tubes Cross sectional area of a tube = (Ï€Di2) / 4 = [Ï€ (45.26 x 10-3)2] 4 = 1.6089 x 10-3 m2 By using two passes; Total tube area, AT = (239 / 2) (1.6089 x 10-3) = 0.1923 m2 Mass velocity, Gs = flowrate / A = 29.96 / 0.1923 = 155.798 kg/m2.s Reynolds number, Re = [ Gsdi ] /  µ = [ 155.798 x 0.04526 ] / 4.529 x 10-4 = 1.557 x 10 4 Prandtl number, = [ 3.1731 x 155.798 ] / 0.1553 = 3183.275 Nusselt number, NuD = 0.027 Rea Prb [ µ /  µw]c = 0.027 (1.557 x 10 4)0.8 (3183.275)0.3 x 1 = 685.578 Stanton number, St = NuD / [Re(Pr)] = 685.578 / [1.557 x 10 4 x 3183.275 ] = 1.383 x 10-5 Heat Transfer factor, jh = St Pr0.67 = 1.383 x 10-5 ( 3138.275 )0.67 x 1 = 3.045 x 10-3 Tube-side heat transfer coefficient, hi = 2329.599 W/ m2.0C 3.3.4 Shell side coefficient 1.25 triangular pitch was chosen to calculate the bundle diameter. From table 12.4 (Sinnott 2005), constants value for 2 tube passes condition is K1 = 0.249 and n1 = 2.207 Bundle diameter, Db = Dto (Nt / K1) 1/n1 = 50.8 ( 239 / 0.249)1/2.207 = 1122.575 mm Pull-through floating head type was the best selection. From Figure 12.10 (Sinnott 2005), bundle diameter clearance is 95 mm. Shell diameter, Ds = 1122.575 + 95 = 1217.575 mm For selecting baffle spacing, the optimum spacing chosen is 0.2 times the shell diameters. Baffle spacing, B = 0.2 Ds = 0.2 (1217.575) = 243.515mm Tube pitch pt = 1.25 Do = 1.25 (50.8) = 63.5mm Cross-flow area, = 0.0593 m2 Mass velocity, Gs = Ws / As = 47.7672 / 0.0593 = 805.518 kg/m2.s Equivalent diameter, = 36.07 mm Shell-side heat transfer coefficient, ho Reynolds number, Re = [ Gsdi ] /  µ = [ 805.518 x 36.07 x 10-3 ] / 2.677 x 10-4 = 1.0854 x 10 5 Prandtl number, = [2.677 x 10-4 (2.4923 x 103) ] / 0.1553 = 4.296 Note that 45% baffle cut has been chosen, neglect the viscosity correction term. From Figure 12.29 (Sinnott, 2005), jh = 2.8 x 10-3 = 1640.892 W/m2.0C 3.3.5 Overall Coefficient Table 3.5: Dimensions in overall coefficient Material Carbon steel Thermal conductivity of carbon steel Kw = 45 W/m0C The fouling factor for cooling water hid 5000 W/m2.0C The fouling factor for aqueous salt solutions h0 =3000 W/m2.0C Source: Chemical Engineering Design, R.K.Sinnott. The relationship between overall coefficient and individual coefficients is given by: UO = 583.359 W/m2.0C Well approximately the initial estimate of 600 W/m2.0C, so design has adequate area for the duty required. 3.3.6 Tube-side Pressure Drop Reynolds number, = 14526.371 From Figure 12.24 of Chemical Engineering. (Vol. 6) Friction factor, jf = 0.045 Tube side pressure drop, Where, m = 0.25 for laminar flow, Re2100 Np = number of tube side passes = 23135.87 N/m2 = 2.3135 kPa (Acceptable) 3.3.7 Shell-side Pressure Drop Reynolds number, Re = 1.0854 x 10 5 From the Figure 12.30 (Sinnott 2005), Friction factor, jf = 0.024 Shell side pressure drop, = 64327.95 N/m2 = 64.328 kPa (Acceptable) 3.3.8 Summary of Calculation Type of shell and tube is carbon steel with Kw of 45 W/m.0C. While, specification of inside diameter is 45.27mm, outside diameter is 50.8mm and length of 5m. Table 3.6:Tube-side specification Parameter Results ΔTlm 131.4477 oC R 10.833 S 0.833 FT 0.93 ΔTm 122.246 oC Area, A 190.126 m2 Number of tubes, Nt 239 tubes Water linear velocity, ut 155.798 kg/m2.s Heat transfer coefficient, hi 2329.599 W/m2.0C Pressure drop, ΔPt 2.3135 kPa Table 3.7: Shell-side specification Parameter Results Bundle diameter, Db 1122.575 mm Shell diameter, Ds 1217.575 mm Baffle spacing, lB 243.515mm Shell area, As 0.0593 m2 Mass velocity, Gs 805.518 kg/m2.s Equivalent diameter, de 36.07 mm Shell coefficient, ho 1640.892 W/m2.0C Pressure drop, ΔPs 64.328 kPa Overall coefficients, U 583.359 W/m2.0C 3.4 MECHANICAL DESIGN OF HEAT EXCHANGER 3.4.1 Design Parameter Table 3.8: Design Parameter Parametre SI Unit English Unit Design temperature, TD 460 OC 860 OF Operating pressure, Po 300 kPa 43.51 psi Internal diameter, Di 1.217 m 47.913 ft Hemispherical length 0.65 m 2.13 ft Shells length 5.0 m 16.40 For this heat exchanger, the design pressure is 43.51 psi and above the atmosphere pressure (15 psi). Based on study, if Po > Patm (Pgage = Pabs Patm), the calculation for this heat exchanger is under internal pressure and the pressure that will used is, Po = Pabs Pgage = 43.51 psi 15 psi = 28.51 psi Calculation of design pressure for each part of heat exchanger by taking 10% safety factor: P1 = PO + PH = 28.51 + 0.433 (2.13) = 29.431 psi x 1.1 = 32.38 psi Because this heat exchanger design is horizontal, so the value P1 = P2 = P3 = 32.38 psi Thickness for each part of vessel: themispherical , t = tcylindrical : Circumferential; t = Longitudinal; t = For cylindrical, the highest thickness value calculated will be chosen. So, from the calculation above the thickness for cylindrical part is 0.0446 inch. Now by adding corrosion allowance, CA of 2 mm (0.07874 in.), themispherical = 0.0223in + 0.07874in = 0.101in tcylindrical = 0.0446in + 0.07874in = 0.12334in The material construction for this heat exchanger is carbon steel due to price and work in many applications. The highest value from these two types of wall thicknesses is 0.12334 inch, so the minimum wall thickness of this heat exchanger is 0.12334 inch (3.133mm). The nominal wall thickness for carbon steel at market is 0.1182 inch (3mm). Because of the nominal wall thickness is lower than the calculated we must take the calculated thickness t = 0.12334 inch (3.133 mm) as value of wall thickness. To calculate the maximum allowable working pressure for each part, MAWPpart , the thickness must subtract the corrosion allowance: t = 0.12334in 0.07874in = 0.0446in MAWPpart (hemispherical): P = MAWPpart (cylindrical): Circumferential; P = Longitudinal; P = The smallest value of pressure will be chosen. So, the internal pressure for cylindrical part is 32.383 psi. By subtracting the hydrostatic pressure, PH for each part, MAWPpart (hemispherical) = 64.812 psi (0.433)(2.13) = 63.889 psi =440.5 kPa MAWPpart (cylindrical) = 32.383 psi (0.433)(16.01) = 25.451 psi =175.478 kPa The smallest value of pressure is taken as MAWPpart which is 25.451psi. This value is the maximum allowable pressure for the whole vessel.

Economics of Market Failure :: Government Intervention

Market failure has become an increasingly important topic for students. In simple terms, market failure occurs when markets do not bring about economic efficiency. There is a clear economic case for government intervention in markets where some form of market failure is taking place. Government can justify this by saying that intervention is in the public interest. Government intervention occurs when markets are not working optimally i.e. there is a Pareto sub-optimal allocation of resources in a market/industry. In simple terms, the market may not always allocate scarce resources efficiently in a way that achieves the highest total social welfare. There are plenty of reasons why the normal operation of market forces may not lead to economic efficiency. Public Goods Public Goods not provided by the free market because of their two main characteristics  · Non-excludabilitywhere it is not possible to provide a good or service to one person without it thereby being available for others to enjoy  · Non-rivalrywhere the consumption of a good or service by one person will not prevent others from enjoying it Examples: Streetlighting / Lighthouse Protection, Police services, Air defense systems, Roads / motorways, Terrestrial television, Flood defense systems, Public parks & beaches Because of their nature the private sector is unlikely to be willing and able to provide public goods. The government therefore provides them for collective consumption and finances them through general taxation. Merit Goods Merit Goods are those goods and services that the government feels that people left to themselves will under-consume and which therefore ought to be subsidized or provided free at the point of use. Both the public and private sector of the economy can provide merit goods & services. Consumption of merit goods is thought to generate positive externality effects where the social benefit from consumption exceeds the private benefit. Examples:Health services, Education, Work Training, Public Libraries, Citizen's Advice, Innoculations Monopoly Few modern markets meet the stringent conditions required for a perfectly competitive market. The existence of monopoly power is often thought to create the potential for market failure and a need for intervention to correct for some of the welfare consequences of monopoly power. The classical economic case against monopoly is that  · Price is higher and output is lower under monopoly than in a competitive market  · This causes a net economic welfare loss of both consumer and producer surplus  · Price> marginal cost - leading to allocative inefficiency and a pareto sub-optimal equilibrium. See also the study page on economic efficiency  · Rent seeking behaviour by the monopolist might add to the standard

Gaudi’s Remarkable Sagrada Familia

Barcelona is a beautiful microcosm of Spanish civic culture on the larger scale. Spain is a nation that has seen aggressive modernization in certain aspects of its metropolitan orientation, which are deeply accommodating to the influx of international businesses, the array of luxury living demands and the heavy flow of tourism that reaches many of its more popular destinations. As just such a destination, Barcelona is effectively illustrative of the type of growth that marks parts of Spain with massive high-rise buildings and state of the are technological provisions. Simultaneously though, Barcelona is a window into Europe’s remarkable and artful history, with castle walls, sprawling plazas and roughshod cobblestone offering a clear view of the city’s medieval grounding. The seamless integration of the preserved and the modern is a characteristic which identifies the city and its most celebrated architect, the mercurial and ambitious Antoni Gaudi. His works appealed to the grand and gothic ambitions of those architectural value systems which preceded him, but his vision also held fast to a dedicated experimentalism which ornamented his designs elaborate, complex and often shockingly liberal uses of image and color. This is an appearance which today can be seen virtually everywhere in the city of Barcelona, and most notably, in the wondrous and markedly incomplete masterpiece that is Sagrada Familia. A Roman Catholic Church of the most dramatically unique vision, the building which was begun in 1882 under Gaudi’s direct supervision is still under construction even today. Remarkably, a building that has been in a state of continuing development from its conception to present day, obstructed in the intervening years by the long bloody civil war which gripped Spain from the second World War through to the end of the Cold War, is one of the most magnetic tourist attractions in Spain. This is because there are few structures in the world which are as ambitions in their simultaneous detail and enormity. Sagrada Familia is essentially the ongoing manifestation of an architectural vision so complex and precise as to warrant a process of realization which far outlives its originator. Indeed, when Gaudi passed away in 1926, with the building understandably still quite far from finished, Domenech Suganyes would take over the post. (Wikipedia, 1) To date, Sagrada Familia has been the obsession of no less than six head architects. (Burry, 1) A view of the structure explains rather quickly why this is so. A piece which incorporates some aspects of baroque architectural intent, particularly in the heavy focus on religious symbolism through catholic eyes, the cathedral must be seen as something of a post-modern work. Its uniquely elaborate use of color and its bold towers are unlike anything in the Catholic tradition prior, seeming not just to indulge in the type of gilded excess seen in the Vatican of the preceding centuries, but also to aggressively pursue counter-traditional and disarming appearance and effect. The primary argument for this observation may be in the technology which helped to steer Gaudi. When commission for the cathedral, â€Å"he was aware that the works were complex and difficult and tried to take advantage of all the modern techniques available. And so, among other resources, he had railway tracks laid with small wagons to transport the materials, brought in cranes to lift the weights and had the workshops located on the site to make the work easier. † (Sagrada Familia, 1) This is the precedent, in fact, for the raging controversy presently engaged between a city which intends to run an underground metro route beneath the invaluable structure and a slew of neighbors, architects and historians who fear the impact of such as decision. In a manner, Sagrada Familia does look and feel precarious, and not because of its continuing construction but because of that which has already been accomplished. Namely, the dozen towers of varying heights which have already been completed taper sharply as they reach the heights of the city. Their collective facade is laden with precise sculptures depicting all manner of Catholic ephemera. According to our research, Gaudi originally used live models to capture the detailed visages, divinities and animals represented in dense array on the outside of the building. Perhaps most famously, â€Å"the northeast, or Nativity Facade, is the Sagrade Familia’s artisitic pinnacle, and was mostly done under Guadi’s personal supervision. You can climb high up inside some of the four towers by a combination of lifts and narrow spiral staircases—a vertiginous experience. † (Simonis, 294) This draws tourists from all over the world, with the photographed image of the coil shooting down the center of each tower a common vantage in travel guides on the country. Though construction crews, machinery and scaffolding are constant, the front portal of the building is an incredible sight to be hold. By day, the 20 foot entranceway, gauzed by Gaudi’s odd, spiderwebbing incongruity, gives view to a brilliantly colored stained glasss. By night, the building is lit from tower to foundation, giving off a stunning golden display. A single tower reaches up the center of the structure, providing it with its height. Flanked symmetrically by the other towers, it is said to symbolize Jesus, the evangelicals and the apostles. (Robinson, 24) Any speculation to the contrary might quickly be answered by the incredible variety of ways in which the architecture depicts the Christ, through birth, life, death and rebirth. Indeed, the story of Catholicism may well be told thoroughly by the collection of images literally blanketing the whole structure. We can see that ultimately, the design has emphasized detail. The structure’s hugeness and ambitiousness not to be dismissed, the longevity of the project is more directly related to the incredible, almost insane attention to detail which distinguishes the structure. To understand the extent to which Sagrada Familia defies the likelihood of classical or modern architecture in its ornately unfinished state, one must see it.