CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS
Los Angeles, California 1997 -
The Gardens of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Campbell & Campbell
September 2, 2002
As articulated by Cardinal Roger Mahony, the Cathedral, opened September of the Year 2002, will be a place of worship for the Catholic community and a place of celebration and meeting for the entire city. The Plaza and Gardens of the Cathedral accommodate a multitude of liturgical uses and cultural events as well as providing a setting for informal meeting and solitary prayer and contemplation. Rich in meaning and symbolism, this place recalls the great landscape traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, especially those of southern California. These landscapes re-vision this venerable legacy to produce a vital, authentic expression of the Church firmly rooted and wholly integrated into California and its future. As with the Cathedral architecture, by Jose Raphael Moneo, the Plaza and Gardens will not be complete when opened but rather are intended to be developed over centuries. The initial design is intended to provide a strong framework to accept the layering of future generations.
Introduction
It is a singular honor for Campbell & Campbell to be a part of the realization of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. We are committed to helping manifest Cardinal Mahony's vision that the Cathedral becomes a place "to be nourished and challenged" a place of worship for the Roman Catholic community and a place of gathering, celebration and contemplation for the entire city.
In response to the Cathedral's mission, these gardens represent a contemporary re-visioning of traditional Cathedral gardens which often served as not only a center of spiritual but also cultural and civic life. This design draws from a variety of sources for inspiration: from Scripture, Liturgy and the Rites of the Church, from the historical and natural landscapes of southern California and from religious art especially of course sacred gardens. Reflecting the rich diversity of the peoples of the Archdiocese in which on any given Sunday mass is said in over forty languages, the design weaves together sacred garden traditions from represented cultures, eras and places. This global, sacred landscape heritage conveyed through scripture and prosaic writings; aesthetic and documentary media and artifacts; and living horticultural practices and gardens attaches literal and metaphorical significance to all the components of landscape design. In the Cathedral Gardens these elements carry multiple, layered meanings derived from their formal composition, configuration and relationship; and the Scriptural, Liturgical, cultural, natural and historical associations of building and plant materials. Meanings are also vividly expressed through all the experiential components of landscape design including color and fragrance; temperature and temperament; sound and movement; sun, moon and starlight and shadow; climate and orientation, water and drought; daily, seasonal and lifecycle patterns, etc. Recognizing the Church's reverence for the whole created order, this technologically and horticulturally complex design is sustainable, resource conserving initially and over time and provides habitat in downtown Los Angeles for native fauna especially birds and butterflies.
The Gardens
The following description highlights the major components of the landscape architectural design.
City Setting
The Cathedral's surrounding sidewalks and freeway edge are configured to herald and define near and distant views of the special precinct of the Cathedral within its urban context, and to offer a welcoming experience to both pedestrians and pilgrims. The tall, vertical forms of the deciduous Festival Liquidambars (Liquidambar styraciflua Festivalı) planted along Grand Avenue, and Hill and Temple Streets clearly describe the Cathedral grounds and offer shade for the sidewalks in summer, warming sunlight in winter. Echoing Pastor Monseignuer Kevin Kostelnik's request to celebrate the "God of Color" this tree's deep green foliage turns brilliant gold, scarlet and purple in the fall just as the Liturgical colors move from green to purple. In addition, this species is the American cousin of the Mediterranean Storax Tree whose resin is an ingredient in holy anointing oil. Massed plantings of daylilies beneath these trees bloom spring, summer and fall.
Along Temple Street, espaliered St. Mary's Magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora 'Saint Mary') wreathe the base of the Cathedral. California Live Oaks (Quercus agrifolia) shade the perimeter of the Cathedral Center. Reminiscent of the bright blooms of contemporary Mission Gardens, Blood Red Trumpet Vine (Distictus buccinatoria) and Flame Vine (Pyrostegia venusta) drape the carillon in brilliant red blossoms year around.
Representative of two great, classical garden traditions, a drift of shimmering Ginkgoes (Ginkgo biloba) is interlaced with formal Italian Stone Pines (Pinus pinea) along Hill Street. Now native only to China, the Ginkgo grew worldwide in prehistory. The Ginkgo, whose fan shaped leaves turn golden in autumn is customarily grown next to temples in China and Korea and serves as an emblem of loyalty in Japan. The Stone Pine, the classic umbrella shaped evergreen of Rome and the source of pignolias is mentioned in Hosea 14:8 "I am like an evergreen cypress, from me comes your fruit."
The stretch of 101 freeway below the Cathedral traces the path of El Camino Real, the original route linking the California Missions. To recall the trees the Franciscans planted along the roadways and in courtyards, California Peppers (Schinus molle) line this freeway edge. This Peruvian species was introduced to California from seeds a sailor gave to the Padres of Mission San Luis Rey in gratitude for their hospitality.
Plaza
Reminiscent of the early open-air atrio churches of the Americas, the Plaza is both the central organizing and gathering space of the Cathedral complex. It provides the great outdoor setting for special services and events as well as processions, celebrations and rituals of the Liturgical Calendar such as the Easter Vigil and Bonfire, the Blessing of the Animals, and the Christmas Tree.
The entry walk to the Cathedral Church, covered by a vine-draped colonnade, lies along the southern Temple Street edge. This pergola supports both the stunning Thunbergia mysorensis vine whose spectacular gold and scarlet blossoms dangle through the supports almost year around and the fragrant Spice So Nice climbing rose developed in southern California. Roses carry myriad Christian meanings for example: the multi-layered petals of the rose symbolize the stages of initiation with its center representing the heart of Christ, the thorns are a symbol of Christ's suffering and his love for humanity, the Virgin Mary is the Rose of Heaven and the sinless Rose without Thorns, etc. Alongside the colonnade, twelve majestic King Palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) radiate from the Cathedral doors in two rows. Emblematic of Christıs triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (John 12:13), palms appear often in Christian artworks associated with many saints and martyrs as well as Victory, Fame, and Chastity (when associated with the Virgin Mary). The pliable feather fronds of King Palms are particularly suited to Liturgical and ornamental uses.
The broad, open, gathering space of the Plaza faces the Cathedral Church with places of quiet activity located along its perimeter. A tight cluster of trees composed of two Coast Live Oaks (Quercus agrifolia) inter-planted with one deciduous Valley Oak (Q. lobata) is a focal point along the southern edge of the Plaza. This characteristic grouping is often found along the wild plateaus and foothills of the Archdiocese. Due to their picturesque longevity and solidity, oaks are generally a symbol of endurance, nobility and might.
Along the eastern edge, over-structure planters containing the classical Asian courtyard trees of Chinese Flame Trees (Koelreuteria bipinnata) and Evergreen Elms (Ulmus parvifolia) shade the outdoor caf&233;. Beneath them flowering shrubs including Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae - the official flower of the City of Los Angeles and a native of South Africa), shrub Bougainvillea from South America, and Star Jasmine (Tracelospermum jasminoides) and Daylilies (Hemerocallis) from Asia add seasonal color and fragrance.
Olive and Orange groves in the large over-structure planters are arranged in a quincunx pattern, the equilateral triangular grid of orchards throughout history and across the world. Both of these species were introduced to the Americas by the Missions and were used not only as an agricultural crop but also for their myriad symbolic meanings and ornamental values. The Bible's Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane, oil press in Hebrew, take their names from this important Mediterranean food source. After the great flood, the dove brought Noah an olive branch as proof of the waters' receding. Since the tree is thus associated with reconciliation, Christ the Prince of Peace is often depicted holding an olive branch as is the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation. The Cathedral Olive Grove is the site of the future Childrens' Garden, which will be based on the story of Noah's Ark. Imported from China and South Vietnam to the Mediterranean in Antiquity, the perfumed blossoms and golden fruit of the orange carry cross-cultural, inter-faith meanings. In the Christian tradition, the orange sometimes represents the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge thus the Christ Child is at times depicted holding an orange as a symbol of redemption. Fragrant, white orange blossoms are often used in brides' bouquets as a symbol of purity. The pavement fronting these groves will be the site of a labyrinth, the ancient symbolic walk of the pilgrim's journey.
A gift from the Jewish community, the Plaza Fountain celebrates the common heritage of Judaism and Christianity. Constructed of black granite, and rose and golden limestone quarried in the Holy Land, it carries an inscription in both Hebrew and English attributed to the ancient Jewish Sages:
"Three pillars uphold the world: Divine teaching, Ethical service and Lovingkindness".
Celebrating our common beginnings in Genesis, the water source recreates the ancient, ecumenical, sacred geometry of the circle squared - symbolizing the bringing of order out of chaos. The fountain is oriented to the south to receive and reflect sunlight over the cascades throughout the day. Light and moving water are shared symbols of both the very presence of the Divine and Creation. Pure water and cleansing are also deeply significant and central to rites in both religions.
Flowing from the source sparkling water falls into a long basin recalling the lavendarias of the California Missions and their antecedents: the communal washing pools of antiquity that were focal points the life of the community.
From the overflowing basin, water cascades over stone steps, catching and reflecting sunlight light throughout the day. Together the glistening cascades, splashing sounds and refreshing mist are an animated, animating presence in the Plaza.
A grove of Michelias (Michelia doltsopa) calls out the presence of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadeloupe to the north. These evergreen trees bear lustrous, dark green leaves and bloom with a profusion of great, fragrant, creamy white blossoms from January through March. Climbing Berries and Cream roses cover the wall adjacent to the shrine.
Cloister Garden
In contrast to the communal activity of the Plaza, the Cloister Garden is an intimate place of quiet meditation and reflection. Its form of a grid of trees symmetrically set about a source fountain is an iteration of the age-old, four-fold paradise garden where the springs flowing from the Tree of Life symbolize salvation. In contrast to this metaphorical geometry, the primary building and plant materials express the literal presence of the wild order of southern California. Four indigenous, evergreen oaks - three California Live Oaks (Quercus agrifolia) and one rare Mesa Oak (Q. engelmaninii) - and a gathering of twelve huge granite boulders are gathered about the murmuring fountain. An understory planting of rings of winter blooming Clivia radiates from the pool. A spring bubbles from a fissure in a great moss covered stone lying within the fountain. This ever-flowing source is symbolic of spiritual nourishment and salvation. The two levels of the pool, the deep circular pool set within the shallower square again describe the sacred geometry of the circle squared, God becoming manifest and comprehensible in the world. Shaded by the oaks, the gently rippling water surface is partially reflective of the heavens, partially dark and transparently deep, a representation of contemplative perception. Drifts of water plants including lilies, iris and reeds are nestled around the pool's boulders. A school of gleaming Koi mysteriously flickers beneath the surface.
Towards the freeway, a screen of California Sycamores cools and filters the air. A drift of dark green Coast Redwoods heralds the campanile. A future pergola draped in scented Wisteria will enhance the intimate scale and sense of sheltered enclosure of the garden.
The north Cathedral entry is celebrated by a grove of twelve, exquisite Emperor Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum 'Emperor'). The bark of these rare Maples is blood red, the leaves a deep crimson. Set in a quincunx, these elegant deciduous trees form a delicate veil towards the Cloister Garden.
From the Cloister looking to the east, a view down to the Plaza Fountain reveals both the literal, physical connections between this Cloister source and the Plaza, and implies the metaphorical connections between the personal and communal life of the individual in the Church. In turn from the Plaza Fountain, views to the Entry Fountain and out to Temple Street and the city beyond stress the connections between the Church and its outreach into the larger community.
Residential Gardens
To provide a refreshing, welcoming place for rest and entertaining, the Gardens draw from the culinary and ornamental traditions of California gardens especially those of the Missions. The plantings include citrus trees and spices as well as flowering and scented species. The Garden contains several red flowering or leafed species such as the Red Passion Vine (Passiflora) and the Purple-Leafed Plum (Prunus blireiana). The Courtyard is planted with graceful Paradise Palms (Howea foresterana) whose fronds will rustle with the slightest breeze.
Copyright Campbell & Campbell 2002
