The project is a new landmark in the Los Angeles Civic Center. Its centerpiece—the cathedral church—represents the largest use of exposed architectural concrete for a building in California.

The procedures used for concrete-mix design, forming, placing and curing were developed during a year of research and mock-up testing.

The cathedral is the first seismically base-isolated structure anywhere and is flanked by a free-standing bell tower, which is also base-isolated.

The one-time installation of alabaster windows is the largest ever to be done in the world. Extensive research on how alabaster reacts to heat dictated a special two-membrane window design.

The downtown site is comprised of a 21/2-acre plaza dotted with artwork and three conventionally designed structures: a conference center, clerical residence and three-level subterranean parking garage.

Technical obstacles were matched by managerial challenges. The team was assembled on a negotiated basis well before the start of actual construction. The pioneering structures were fast-tracked as the client pressed for an aggressive opening date.

Quotable:

“Without question, the quality of the construction, especially the concrete work on the cathedral itself, is unparalleled.”

Cardinal Roger Mahony,
Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles Owner: Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles Owner’s consultant: Stegeman & Kastner Construction manager, general contractor, concrete subcontractor: Morley Construction Co. Design architect: Jose Rafael Moneo Executive architect: Leo A Daly Structural engineer: Nabih Youssef & Associates Mechanical and electrical engineer: Ove Arup & Partners California Ltd. Fire protection: Ove Arup & Partners California Ltd. Entry submitted by: Morley Construction Co.