Cathedrals have forever represented some of humanity's most awe-inspiring architectural wonders. And Skidmore, Owings & Merrill's recently completed construction, the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, California, looks set to continue this trend. The structure makes beautiful use of glass, fly ash concrete, and wood, but I'm most impressed by its incredible use of natural light - which was in fact the main focus for the design: Craig W. Hartman, head architect, proposed that light would be the key 'to create a contemporary design that was still evocative of the Church’s two millennium-old traditions'. The structure, only recently completed after a 3 year build, replaces the Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales, which was irreparably damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989. SOM is well known for its work on many other large projects such as offices, airports, islands, museums, and skyscraper, and its website provides an interesting read.
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