There is a subset in architecture of building’s meant to look like scaled up objects from everyday life. There is the picnic basket building in Newark, Ohio, the Binoculars Building in Los Angeles, and the High-Heel Wedding Church in Taiwan. A new RBB Architects-designed building may soon join this novel group. Dubbed The Cathedral, the building is inspired by the mitre, a Bishop’s traditional headpiece.
The building is clad in a double wall with the exterior skin made of parametrically modeled perforated stainless steel. The pattern is inspired by a mantilla, the lace cloth worn by women to cover their head. The inner wall, meanwhile, is multi-colored glass, which results in an ever evolving interior environment as the sun moves. The double-wall is supported by seven steel arches, which hold more symbolism as they reference the Seven Sacraments of the Church.
See Also: Morphosis designs lululemon’s new global headquarters
The goal of the building is to create an iconic structure that not only serves as a place of worship, but also as an architectural destination.
As the sun moves throughout the day, the interior of the church changes.
Related Stories
Digital Twin | May 24, 2021
Digital twin’s value propositions for the built environment, explained
Ernst & Young’s white paper makes its cases for the technology’s myriad benefits.
Market Data | Feb 24, 2021
2021 won’t be a growth year for construction spending, says latest JLL forecast
Predicts second-half improvement toward normalization next year.
Giants 400 | Dec 16, 2020
Download a PDF of all 2020 Giants 400 Rankings
This 70-page PDF features AEC firm rankings across 51 building sectors, disciplines, and specialty services.
Religious Facilities | Sep 17, 2020
Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
The project has been under construction since 1882.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020
2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Religious Facilities | Jul 30, 2019
Gensler’s temporary Pavillon Notre-Dame uses charred timber as its primary building material
What once destroyed Notre-Dame will now serve to make it stronger.
Architects | Jun 4, 2019
Big design, small budget: These are the best small projects for 2019
Bjarke Ingels Group's prototype mountainside cabin and Fieldwork's forest pedestrian bridges are among 12 projects honored by AIA's Small Project Practitioners group.
Religious Facilities | May 8, 2018
Manhattan’s historic Trinity Church Wall Street is getting its first facelift in 72 years
Improvements will include a new lighting and sound system, and a movable altar.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 14, 2017
Hallowed ground: A Mormon temple rises from the ashes of a fire-ravaged historic tabernacle
Parts of the tabernacle’s exterior shell were the only things that survived the blaze.
Religious Facilities | Mar 9, 2017
St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC launches new geothermal plant
The plant is the first in a series of upgrades planned for 2017 to adapt one of New York’s earliest landmarks.
