Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Rafael Moneo · Los Angeles, United States · 2002
Rafael Moneo's cathedral establishes a new religious precinct on the edge of downtown Los Angeles. Dedicated in 2002, it uses substantial walls, indirect light and an asymmetrical arrangement of spaces to reinterpret the cathedral programme. The approach passes through a public plaza before reaching the main worship interior, giving the building a civic role beyond its liturgical use. The warm surfaces and carefully controlled light create a different sense of monumentality from the pointed arches and repeated bays of a Gothic cathedral. Visiting: A working cathedral with free general access during opening hours. Respect worship and local restrictions.