Back to All Events

The Transformation of the Crystal Cathedral into Christ Cathedral

  • Christ Cathedral The Tour will start at the East side of the Arboretum, directly east of the “big Orange Square”. Surface parking is available throughout the complex. (map)
The Transformation of the Crystal Cathedral into Christ Cathedral By LPA Design Studios

The Transformation of the Crystal Cathedral into Christ Cathedral


Presented by:

Orange County has come to the age where older buildings are reaching the end of their useful life. Owners are weighing the cost of ‘tear down and rebuild’ v. 'rehabilitation'. The Diocese of Orange has chosen to do the latter, and has done an exceptional job, with results worthy of celebration. Attendees will learn the history of a pastor that brought architecture to Orange County, and the renovations that have been made to the buildings as they enter the next phase of their lives.

Learning Objectives:


  • Design for Equitable Communities: When the Reverend Robert Schuller chose to sell his Crystal Cathedral campus, he felt “the church would take better care of his buildings and artwork than other suitors.” As the Diocese established the Cathedral in the center of Orange County, it was able to attract Catholics of all ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds to share a new home together.


  • Design for Economy: All funding for the church’s design and construction was made available through donations. This required stewardship of the available funds to strategically invest, save, build, and restore. To design with economy in mind requires strategically planning by the owner and design team over years, even decades, to author a campus such as the revitalized Christ's Cathedral.


  • Design for Well Being: In addition to physical and mental well-being, many understand the benefits of spiritual well-being. Design of spaces to enhance the spiritual well-being is an eons-old undertaking. Attendees will learn how such practices are incorporated into today’s places of worship.



  • Design for Resources: The most sustainable building is the one that is restored. Attendees will learn strategies that were taken to rehabilitate existing buildings, and in so doing, be more kind to the earth.

Date:  June 20, 2025

 

Time: 3:30-5:30 PM 

 

Learning Units: 2 AIA LU/HSW


Location: The Tour will start at the East side of the Arboretum, directly east of the “big Orange Square”. Surface parking is available throughout the complex.

 

Cost: AIAOC Members $10 | Non-members $20

Previous
Previous
June 17

AIAOC Lunch Hour Webinar: Design Principles for Rainscreen Wall Systems

Next
Next
June 26

Gensler Presents: OC Health Care Agency at Marine Way Tour