Even, Cathedral of Christ the Light. Oakland

The new Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland
(California) is a building with many virtues but also
with faults--lacking the necessary merits to be
considered a masterpiece.

It is remarkable the way natural light is the main
feature all throughout this building. Here light not
only illuminates the interior, but more importantly
creates a moving and rich spatial experience that
continuously changes with the exterior weather
changes. Light is used in this sacred space as a
metaphor of divine creative energy, and consequently,
as a way to express God's presence.

Geometry is another important element in this
building. The main nave has a pointed oval shape in
plan. This shape is the most basic and important
construction in sacred geometry, often referred as
vesica pisces in Latin. In the Christian tradition,
vesica pisces is a reference to Christ, because the
form is similar to the shape of a fish. The word "fish"
translates into Greek as "ichthys", which is an acronym
for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior". This shape is
to be found not only in the floor plan layout of the
nave and basement mausoleum but also in the
cathedral ceiling and in a truncated version in the
main altar and in the entrance glass window.

When I visited this building I was very pleased with
the striking light effect and the beautiful high level
of crafting in almost every detail, from the glass
panels in the outer surfaces to the exquisite wood
screen or reredos near the altar. One of the effects that
satisfied me the most was the magnificent human
scale achieved inside this building. The main nave is
large enough to receive 1350 people seated, but at the
same time allowing a great sense of intimacy.

My main criticism for this building focuses on its lack
of monumentality. Monumentality in architecture can
be defined as an incorporeal quality inherent in a
structure which conveys the feeling of its eternity.
Cathedrals are structures that have been traditionally
associated with important, big, or lavish buildings.
Although this building is rather small for a cathedral,
I personally don't believe size or relevance are the
problems here. Monumentality of a building is a quality
related to a rather unusual state of perfection, essence,
harmony and serenity altogether, and this is the area
where the Cathedral of Christ the Light is lacking.

For example, there are too many competing direct and
indirect references to religious symbols and catholic
rituals. The repetition of the otherwise evident vesica
pisces detracts from the transcendence and powerfulness
of the metaphor.

Also, the extensive use of interior wood louvers is
questionable. Wood conveys a temporary or provisional
quality, not very appropriate for the assumed "eternity"
of a cathedral. I believe that in this case wood was used
to establish a metaphoric image (another one) of boat or
ark frameworks.

In addition, the large figurative image of Jesus displayed
on the altar is itself very beautiful, but I believe it is
contradictory with the main abstract concept of light as
divine presence. In this regard, I remember churches
such as the Turku Resurrection Chapel where the lateral
and rather mysterious natural light is allowed to flow over
the main altar creating an abstract but powerful dramatic
and effective result. The only presence of a minimalistic
cross sunbathed by that beautiful light creates a memorable
and "eternal" image.