Title:
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels: Combining Architectural and Mass Concrete
Author(s):
David Selna and Paulo J. M. Monteiro
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
23
Issue:
11
Appears on pages(s):
26-33
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
11/1/2001
Abstract:
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles serves the largest community of Catholics in the United States. When the aging St. Vibiana’s Cathedral was substantially damaged by the 1994 Northridge earthquake and subsequently condemned by the City, the Archdiocese decided to build a landmark, 21st century Cathedral that reflects the rich diversity and spirit of Los Angeles. A 5.6-acre (2.3 hectare) site in the heart of downtown Los Angeles was purchased by the Archdiocese from the County of Los Angeles. Taking shape atop a prominent hill between Grand Avenue and Hill Street alongside the Hollywood Freeway, the new cathedral is part of an ambitious urban renaissance to make downtown an exciting destination once again. Spanish architect and Harvard professor Jose Rafael Moneo was chosen to design the new $163 million complex, consisting of a new Cathedral, a conference center, a 156 ft (47.5 m) campanile tower, a carillon, a residence hall, a 2-1/2 acre (1.0 hectare) grand plaza, and a subterranean parking structure. The Cathedral itself will accommodate 3000 people and the plaza will have a capacity of 6000 (Fig. 1).