The expansion of the Christ Church Cathedral campus solidifies the congregation’s vision as the “church for downtown” while responding to its neighborhood. Four diverse program elements are carefully arranged on a full city block adjacent to the historic sanctuary. Central offices for the the Bishop and Diocese occupy an elegant, glass, two-story building enclosed in wood trellises. A quarter-block park creates a significant open space on prominent Texas Avenue. A 350-car parking facility integrates into a downtown area poorly served by garages. And, perhaps most fundamentally, the project establishes a home for the Cathedral’s expanding outreach programs, including critically needed facilities for the homeless. The new campus creates strong street spaces and well defined zones for a complex range of activities. Local materials, extensive sun shading and daylighting contribute to a strong sustainability program. Larry Speck led the project’s design within the Leo A Daly/LAN + PageSoutherlandPage Joint Venture.
