Calatrava’s St. John the Divine

Hello Andrew,
I really appreciate your dedicated site, its very refreshing. I would just like to comment on this fascinating piece of architecture. I, personally, very much like Calatrava’s addition to the cathedral. Yes, of course, its not exactly done in the same style, but at the same time I don’t feel that the two styles necessarily conflict. I’ve always liked, as do you, classical (New Yorker, renaissance or “cathedral”) architecture because I feel as though it is solid, rooted, stately, balanced and generally quite pleasing to the eye (as, I must say with regret, unlike some modern architecture). When I look at Calatrava’s piece, I see many of the same qualities except the difference being his use of nonlinear and more natural lines and forms. Therefore, I feel like the styles work together quite well. In fact, i have always enjoyed when classical style meets modern styles because it seems as though, like you observed, the classical style ties the entire structure down and provides a good foundation for the modern. As for the episcopalian church, it seems to me like they need a little more of this unorthodox architecture- it would liven things up.

Unfortunately I don’t take such a positive view of the proposed design – the Sagrada Familia “inspiration” seems far too blatent. But then, this church has never had an ideal design for the central tower, the designs have all been too self-consciously “great”, but failing to achieve that aim by quite some margin. A simple fleche could complete it until the funds arrive for something more ideal (which will not happen in the near future anyway).

As an Episcopalian and someone who has been to the Cathedral many times, I have to agree with SV that the principal reason the Cathedral is not finished is because too many of the proposed designs have been overly grandiose. Although it may not be “exciting” to fans of modern architecture, I think the best way to finish St. John’s is to stick to the Gothic architecture of the Nave and just fill in the unfinished Crossing while retaining the tiled dome. Perhaps the Dome could be livened up a bit with some artwork. Personally I find that Churches built in a modern Architectural style are often cold and anachronistic. Case in point, is the Catholic dioceses of San Francisco and Oakland, both of which have cold uber-modern Cathedrals which succeed only in feeling like airport terminals. Churches should be about creating a sacred atmosphere that taps into the collective subconscious – bright light, steel and concrete don’t really work well in achieving this.

You must have meant señor Calatrava, not signor.

Where is presbiterium? Why the cross is without Jesus? What abut Tabernaculum? Minimalism is not catolic style, havens are not “minimalistic”…

You keep calling him ‘Signor’ Calatrava. Look, the guy is not Italian, he’s Spanish.

Don’t let Macron see this!