Transforming an All-Glass Cathedral with History of Audio and Acoustic Challenges into a Spiritual Hub

Johnson Fain led the transformation of the iconic glass cathedral for the Diocese of Orange. Our team created speech intelligibility through acoustic and audio design.

We worked with the design team to optimize the makeup and positioning of the quatrefoils to meet acoustical, solar shading, and visual goals. Each quatrefoil panel was designed for its unique position in the glass cathedral.

We worked with the engineering team to keep air handling units quiet so that music has clarity and prayerful moments remain meaningful. And we designed the audio system to provide even coverage and to keep sound energy off of reflective surfaces while blending loudspeakers into the architecture.

The cathedral is home to the world’s fifth-largest pipe organ, the Hazel Wright Organ. We collaborated with the organ builder during the design process so the acoustics would support the instrument.

Computer modeling allowed us to go through multiple designs and test assumptions. The result is a beautiful building that serves a variety of language groups throughout the region. Mass is given in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Mandarin, and we designed simultaneous translation systems to support other language groups as well.

Tom Bronner

Brother Martin Erspamer, a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, created the tapestry of the Pantocrator, or Christ Seated in Glory as the Lord of Creation