Comments on: SOM’s Stunning Cathedral of Christ the Light http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/ Green design & eco innovation for a better world Sat, 18 May 2013 14:21:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: helava http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-350477 helava Fri, 19 Aug 2011 23:32:09 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-350477 As a resident of Oakland who works near this building and sees it on a daily basis, it may be pretty on the inside, but it's one of the single ugliest buildings in the area, and that's including a lot of abandoned buildings in the same general area. There's a reason that local residents have nicknamed it the church of the vajayjay, and it looks like a cheap piece of IKEA garbage from the outside due to the horrendous exterior treatment. The bare concrete and protruding spires on the top simply look unfinished, so it constantly looks like something someone abandoned half-complete. It really is one of Oakland's ugliest buildings... which is sad, because in its half-completed state, with the interior wood exposed, it was stunning. Oh, well. As a resident of Oakland who works near this building and sees it on a daily basis, it may be pretty on the inside, but it’s one of the single ugliest buildings in the area, and that’s including a lot of abandoned buildings in the same general area.

There’s a reason that local residents have nicknamed it the church of the vajayjay, and it looks like a cheap piece of IKEA garbage from the outside due to the horrendous exterior treatment. The bare concrete and protruding spires on the top simply look unfinished, so it constantly looks like something someone abandoned half-complete.

It really is one of Oakland’s ugliest buildings… which is sad, because in its half-completed state, with the interior wood exposed, it was stunning. Oh, well.

]]> By: Franzita http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-307894 Franzita Sat, 19 Mar 2011 20:51:31 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-307894 i dont know why everybody is hating this church, i think its one of the most beautiful modern churches ever constructed. i would like to tell 518 east that if you find this church all of what you said it is, i suggest that you visit the church constructed by tadao ando, he too wanted a church to be spiritual and simple, but i guess it went too literal and THAT is a cold place to call a church..... and about colour .... why dou you nned to add more false colour when you have the wonderful daylight adding to its gory with the use of glass you have natural colour filtering in from all directions ..... i guees all of yall should think twice before commenting or hating or even calling this holy site a WASTE. im not preacher or prophet, but the way the comments have been posted it seriously hurts to read, that our fellow christians have come to call their place of worship a a WASTE ! JENNY, this church is not a waste of money, its a place for people likeyou to be educated on the wonders of our religion, on the faith that we bellieve in and to trust of doctrine, its a place for people like you to go and pray to, to be closer to our father, to help those in need, its a place for people like to to stop, think about what you are and repent. i think that all of yall are wrong to say such horrible things about this place.... well in the past we did have religiouse architecture that was a lot of money that could be put to better use... but its because of those many churches that we can build and say that we belong. how many people today go forth to build reliqious places?? hw many ?? but if you put forth a competition or advert for any commercial project you have hundred of applications .... why cant we build more of these worship places??? and when a place is for worship, however grand or simple ..... remmebr, GOD dwells there .... it is a HOLY SITE. i dont know why everybody is hating this church, i think its one of the most beautiful modern churches ever constructed.
i would like to tell 518 east that if you find this church all of what you said it is, i suggest that you visit the church constructed by tadao ando, he too wanted a church to be spiritual and simple, but i guess it went too literal and THAT is a cold place to call a church….. and about colour …. why dou you nned to add more false colour when you have the wonderful daylight adding to its gory with the use of glass you have natural colour filtering in from all directions …..
i guees all of yall should think twice before commenting or hating or even calling this holy site a WASTE.
im not preacher or prophet, but the way the comments have been posted it seriously hurts to read, that our fellow christians have come to call their place of worship a a WASTE !
JENNY, this church is not a waste of money, its a place for people likeyou to be educated on the wonders of our religion, on the faith that we bellieve in and to trust of doctrine, its a place for people like you to go and pray to, to be closer to our father, to help those in need, its a place for people like to to stop, think about what you are and repent.
i think that all of yall are wrong to say such horrible things about this place….
well in the past we did have religiouse architecture that was a lot of money that could be put to better use… but its because of those many churches that we can build and say that we belong.
how many people today go forth to build reliqious places??
hw many ??
but if you put forth a competition or advert for any commercial project you have hundred of applications ….
why cant we build more of these worship places???
and when a place is for worship, however grand or simple ….. remmebr, GOD dwells there …. it is a HOLY SITE.

]]> By: 6 Absolutely Heavenly Green Houses of Worship | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-252153 6 Absolutely Heavenly Green Houses of Worship | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:52:49 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-252153 [...] SOM’s Stunning Cathedral of Christ the Light [...] [...] SOM’s Stunning Cathedral of Christ the Light [...]

]]> By: Sam Van Eman http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-242712 Sam Van Eman Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:31:45 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-242712 Remarkable place. I'd love to see it in person. As far as "a waste" is concerned, I guess you could say the same about baseball stadiums and museums and so forth. There's extravagant waste and then there's extravagant beauty. Both cost a lot of money, but the latter appeals to me (and many others). I got this from the church's website: "The ministries at the Cathedral and its adjacent campus foster unity through worship, teaching and evangelization, and works of service – especially to the poor and those at the margins of society. The Cathedral functions as a “palace of the poor,” serving those in need by appealing to volunteers and donors who support cultural and community projects from a platform that will exist for centuries. Free health and legal clinics give life to this mission." Remarkable place. I’d love to see it in person. As far as “a waste” is concerned, I guess you could say the same about baseball stadiums and museums and so forth. There’s extravagant waste and then there’s extravagant beauty. Both cost a lot of money, but the latter appeals to me (and many others).

I got this from the church’s website:

“The ministries at the Cathedral and its adjacent campus foster unity through worship, teaching and evangelization, and works of service – especially to the poor and those at the margins of society. The Cathedral functions as a “palace of the poor,” serving those in need by appealing to volunteers and donors who support cultural and community projects from a platform that will exist for centuries. Free health and legal clinics give life to this mission.”

]]> By: ecoterrazzo http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-236175 ecoterrazzo Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:20:24 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-236175 What a terrible waste perfectly good resources. Let us look deeper into Sustainability and Spirituality shall we? The first step to sustainability is an honest, unbiased analysis of the situation? This means science, and not partial science with a religious agenda overtones. A truly objective look at nature and our role in it. Without a realistic view of nature, sustainability will not exist. When we think god made this for us, we will never appreciate it for itself and have the desire to work intimately with it. When we think it was all made for us, we will continue to consume it like we own it. If we think the earth is just a pit-stop for your soul, we will continue to abuse it and take advantage of it. How can we get a grip on preserving this magnificent biological system that we call \\\\\\\"life\\\\\\\", that has evolved for millions of years, when a significant amount Americas think dinos and humans lived together, and reject biology to the teeth.? Will they teach in this building that god made nature for our own consumption? Then this building should NOT be called green! It does not sustain life, it does not contribute to taxes and our economy. It is a drain on our perspective of life, resources and energy. Profit/Loss analysis of this building is deplorable. Insane amounts of resource and energy for a delusional warm-fuzzy.. Not worth it! Please don\\\\\\\'t cut any more trees down for your delusions!! I give it 16 thumbs down. BOO (coming from an award winning green builder and green building materials manufacturer/distributor) What a terrible waste perfectly good resources.
Let us look deeper into Sustainability and Spirituality shall we?
The first step to sustainability is an honest, unbiased analysis of the situation? This means science, and not partial science with a religious agenda overtones. A truly objective look at nature and our role in it.
Without a realistic view of nature, sustainability will not exist. When we think god made this for us, we will never appreciate it for itself and have the desire to work intimately with it. When we think it was all made for us, we will continue to consume it like we own it. If we think the earth is just a pit-stop for your soul, we will continue to abuse it and take advantage of it.
How can we get a grip on preserving this magnificent biological system that we call \\\\\\\”life\\\\\\\”, that has evolved for millions of years, when a significant amount Americas think dinos and humans lived together, and reject biology to the teeth.?

Will they teach in this building that god made nature for our own consumption? Then this building should NOT be called green! It does not sustain life, it does not contribute to taxes and our economy. It is a drain on our perspective of life, resources and energy. Profit/Loss analysis of this building is deplorable. Insane amounts of resource and energy for a delusional warm-fuzzy.. Not worth it!

Please don\\\\\\\’t cut any more trees down for your delusions!!

I give it 16 thumbs down. BOO (coming from an award winning green builder and green building materials manufacturer/distributor)

]]> By: 518 East 80 http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-150714 518 East 80 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:06:29 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-150714 I wanted to add that the Cathedral is devoid of color, bleak and chilly. It would be a perfect gathering space for the U.N. General Assembly. Obviously, no traditional Catholic architects at SOM. Hartman missed the liturgical, eucharistic point altogether by creating a space with no focus. It is, rather, a community gathering spot, where everyone in the seating circle focuses on the people across the way. Wrong, wrong. Vigneron must have been complicit in this extremely expensive design mistake. He should have redone St. Frances de Sales for $9 million, instead of this place for $190 million. I wanted to add that the Cathedral is devoid of color, bleak and chilly. It would be a perfect gathering space for the U.N. General Assembly. Obviously, no traditional Catholic architects at SOM. Hartman missed the liturgical, eucharistic point altogether by creating a space with no focus. It is, rather, a community gathering spot, where everyone in the seating circle focuses on the people across the way. Wrong, wrong.

Vigneron must have been complicit in this extremely expensive design mistake. He should have redone St. Frances de Sales for $9 million, instead of this place for $190 million.

]]> By: 518 East 80 http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-140455 518 East 80 Wed, 06 May 2009 21:15:47 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-140455 It's a disaster, it's not Catholic, and it will be considered the last Catholic cathedral of the 20th century. The idea that community is the PRIMARY purpose of a Catholic cathedral is dead wrong, and contradicts the Church's guidelines for the construction of new churches. Christ the Light is like evey other ill-considered, "modern," ugly, dinner theatre, church in the round built in the last 50 years, causing the celebrant to have a hand-held microphone and twirl around like a game-show host. I think the trend is finally ending (see Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Houston) although it will take decades to completely die out. It’s a disaster, it’s not Catholic, and it will be considered the last Catholic cathedral of the 20th century. The idea that community is the PRIMARY purpose of a Catholic cathedral is dead wrong, and contradicts the Church’s guidelines for the construction of new churches. Christ the Light is like evey other ill-considered, “modern,” ugly, dinner theatre, church in the round built in the last 50 years, causing the celebrant to have a hand-held microphone and twirl around like a game-show host. I think the trend is finally ending (see Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Houston) although it will take decades to completely die out.

]]> By: sieunmonica http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-108909 sieunmonica Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:15:15 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-108909 I wish I will design cathedral or small chapel someday.. this looks awesome~ I wish I will design cathedral or small chapel someday.. this looks awesome~

]]> By: Geolio http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-104152 Geolio Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:06:46 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-104152 Some additional photos for Curious minds. http://picasaweb.google.com/georgexlin/CathedralOfChristTheLight# Enjoy Some additional photos for Curious minds.

http://picasaweb.google.com/georgexlin/CathedralOfChristTheLight#

Enjoy

]]> By: Geolio http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-103961 Geolio Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:29:59 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-103961 Excited to see it tomorrow when my office gets to tour it. My office is in the building across the street from it and I saw every beam go up. Amazing piece of architecture. With this much $$ poured into it, I would be disappointed if it was any less spectacular. I hope the interior is just as good. Excited to see it tomorrow when my office gets to tour it. My office is in the building across the street from it and I saw every beam go up. Amazing piece of architecture. With this much $$ poured into it, I would be disappointed if it was any less spectacular. I hope the interior is just as good.

]]> By: NaturallyEarth http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-103704 NaturallyEarth Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:41:39 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-103704 I love the new green architecture coming out. It's so beautiful it doesn't even need stained glass. I wonder how many churches will be re-doing their chapels. I love the new green architecture coming out. It’s so beautiful it doesn’t even need stained glass. I wonder how many churches will be re-doing their chapels.

]]> By: MulderDSM http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-103263 MulderDSM Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:04:45 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-103263 This is an amazing piece of architecture. I wrote a quick blurb about it on my site at: http://www.livingdowntowndesmoines.com/2008/09/building-spotlight-first-united-methodist-church/trackback/ This is an amazing piece of architecture. I wrote a quick blurb about it on my site at:
http://www.livingdowntowndesmoines.com/2008/09/building-spotlight-first-united-methodist-church/trackback/

]]> By: Jimmy Mac http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-103238 Jimmy Mac Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:43:03 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-103238 \"The site for the Catholic Cathedral is the location of the old St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, which was irreparably damaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.\" Actually, not the case. The new Cathedral is located on the shores of Lake Merritt and about one half mile away from the old cathedral location. \”The site for the Catholic Cathedral is the location of the old St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, which was irreparably damaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.\”

Actually, not the case. The new Cathedral is located on the shores of Lake Merritt and about one half mile away from the old cathedral location.

]]> By: cherylen http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-103209 cherylen Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:14:28 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-103209 I think that this structure is breathtaking. I don\'t find it at all gaudy. I think it is a monument to God. It might not be humble but neither are some earlier cathedrals which are now \"typical\" of Catholicism. I would rather see money go towards structures such as this than to bail out multi-billion dollar corporations from bankruptcy... I think that this structure is breathtaking. I don\’t find it at all gaudy. I think it is a monument to God. It might not be humble but neither are some earlier cathedrals which are now \”typical\” of Catholicism. I would rather see money go towards structures such as this than to bail out multi-billion dollar corporations from bankruptcy…

]]> By: Tabitha http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-103187 Tabitha Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:01:57 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-103187 I can't stop looking at this picture - it's truly beautiful! tabitha at http://www.fromsingletomarried.com I can’t stop looking at this picture – it’s truly beautiful!
tabitha at http://www.fromsingletomarried.com

]]> By: elstevedore http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-103180 elstevedore Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:43:07 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-103180 Some more pictures of the cathedral's construction: http://www.stephenloewinsohn.com/places/spaceegg/ Here in Oakland, we call it "The Space Egg" Some more pictures of the cathedral’s construction:

http://www.stephenloewinsohn.com/places/spaceegg/

Here in Oakland, we call it “The Space Egg”

]]> By: jennyg http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-103174 jennyg Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:17:40 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-103174 I shudder to think of all the people that could benefit from all the millions of dollars WASTED on this monstrosity. Absolutely disgusting - gaudy - depressing... Oh Catholicism... will you ever learn? HUMBLE ... be humble. THAT is following in the ways of your lord. Being humble..NOT erecting churches and cathedrals with money that could easily feed starving children - not only around the world - but in OAKLAND! Or maybe put some struggling families in Oakland in decent housing? I shudder to think of all the people that could benefit from all the millions of dollars WASTED on this monstrosity.
Absolutely disgusting – gaudy – depressing…
Oh Catholicism… will you ever learn? HUMBLE … be humble. THAT is following in the ways of your lord. Being humble..NOT erecting churches and cathedrals with money that could easily feed starving children – not only around the world – but in OAKLAND! Or maybe put some struggling families in Oakland in decent housing?

]]> By: Dilberth http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-103163 Dilberth Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:54:04 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-103163 Certainly this is one of the greatest monuments to insanity. Among the myths of history, Christianity prevails as the most cherished form of delusional behavior. Thor and Mithra: Get over it. Certainly this is one of the greatest monuments to insanity. Among the myths of history, Christianity prevails as the most cherished form of delusional behavior. Thor and Mithra: Get over it.

]]> By: Bridgette Steffen http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-103161 Bridgette Steffen Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:37:10 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-103161 The cathedral can hold up to 1350 people for a service. Other interesting facts: - 60,750 tons of concrete poured - 768 Douglas Fir horizontal louvers - 36 friction pendulum double-concave base isolators in which the entire Cathedral rests. These protect the Cathedral against earthquakes. - 1,300 crypts the cathedral mausoleum will hold The cathedral can hold up to 1350 people for a service. Other interesting facts:
- 60,750 tons of concrete poured
- 768 Douglas Fir horizontal louvers
- 36 friction pendulum double-concave base isolators in which the entire Cathedral rests. These protect the Cathedral against earthquakes.
- 1,300 crypts the cathedral mausoleum will hold

]]> By: maswik http://inhabitat.com/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/comment-page-1/#comment-103154 maswik Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:21:52 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/24/som-cathedral-of-christ-the-light/#comment-103154 What is the capacity and how does that compare to the size of the congregation (on an ordiary Sunday and on a High day)? From the pictures it does not look that big. It looks great sculpturally but I\\\'m not sure about religion in the round. It will give some unusual views of the priests during mass. What is the capacity and how does that compare to the size of the congregation (on an ordiary Sunday and on a High day)? From the pictures it does not look that big.

It looks great sculpturally but I\\\’m not sure about religion in the round. It will give some unusual views of the priests during mass.

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