Yesterday, IFMA SF members and guests ascended the ramp leading to the entrance of the Cathedral of Christ the Light Cathedral, on Lake Merritt in Oakland, and gathered for a tour. Through the outstanding guidance of our docent guides, we learned of the connection of the building layout, orientation, design, and materials to its spritual mission of “outreach, advocacy and concern for social justice.” Just as light is a defining metaphor of Oakland diocese’s mission, it is also the central design element of the new cathedral. The building is oriented so that the morning sun streams in over the entrance signifying the beginning of life, and the altar, with its multi story image of Christ only visible with daylight, aligns with the setting sun signifying the end of life and time. Every angle and relationship of spaces within the facility is carefully considered with meaning and depth. The combination of wood, glass, concrete and brushed aluminum somehow creates the sensation of serenity and transcendence. The dynamic shape of the walls, which appears at first glance to resemble an inverted wedge on either end of the sanctuary, with the organic form of the faceted panels similar to flower petals, opening wider as they reach the top. The apparent spareness of the materials in the public worship area is contrasted with rich granite, antique stained glass, and translucent marble in the lower level mausoleum. Overall it is a building that is about extraordinary lightness and luminosity. The group was extremely impressed with the results from Architect Craig Hartmanof SOM and contractor Webcor.
On the functional side, we learned that a matrix of friction-pendulum base isolators rests beneath the sanctuary's thick concrete walls and floor slab to allow the building to shift as much as 36 inches in a seismic event. The chief engineer explained that the heat and air is provided through radiant pipes and air supply in the floor, monitored by a state of the art building management system. And a large, separate fan is set to serve the organ, currently containing 1500 pipes, but which is planned to contain 5000 pipes when completed in early 2010.
Following the tour, the group wandered over to Luka's TapRoom for lively conversation, libations, and a tasty assortment of appetizers. The Belgian fries and seafood plates were particularly popular. The night ended a little later than scheduled, but a good time was had by all.Additional photos of the tour by Ritesh Khanna, LEEP AP - and IFMA Volunteer - are available on http://www.ifmasf.org/xxarchph.html.
Karen D. Cochran, CFM, RPA, FMA
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