Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
April 4, 2008
Seven years in design, and two years after the groundbreaking ceremony, Houston’s new Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, built to accommodate the needs of the rapidly expanding Galveston-Houston archdiocese, was dedicated April 2nd in an elaborate ceremony attended by clergy from around the world.
Designed by local architects Ziegler Cooper Architects, and Chicago-based architectural acoustics firm, Kirkegaard Associates, this magnificent structure boasts Indiana limestone and marble-clad walls. Its advent is a culmination ofcreative ideas, a myriad of challenges, and visits to worship spaces – many of which were located in Europe. It is also the product of a selfless community, which is now able to look at their house of worship standing tall amidst the city’s skyline.
Seeing a completed vision is satisfying: its ultimate reason for being to be manifested in the spoken word, the teaching, and the heralded song. As a member of this world-renowned design team, Kirkegaard Associates understood the importance of the delivery of sound, and to that end, provided architectural acoustics consulting, audio/video design, and mechanical noise control services for Houston’s new Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Careful shaping and finishing of all room surfaces help to isolate the interior from the noisy urban environment and promote unamplified performance of the 1,500-year treasury of sacred music composed for the Roman Catholic Church.
To achieve good intelligibility of the spoken word in a highly reverberant room like the Co-Cathedral, digitally steerable vertical line-array loudspeakers were utilized (this type of loudspeaker –with no physical movement – has the capacity to create directional patterns of varying beam-width capable of covering the congregation). Similar loudspeakers were utilized throughout the space, including the Nave, the Sanctuary, the side aisles, and the choir loft. At the heart of the audio system, a digital signal processor (DSP) is in place.
Pan-tilt-zoom robotic cameras allow for archival recording of the services. While the organ is not scheduled for placement until 2010, similar cameras have been dedicated for use by the organist which will allow camera operation from a touch panel integrated within the organ console.
For broadcasting purposes, audio connections have been strategically placed throughout the space, including the rear of the Nave and the choir loft, both of which will allow audio access by members of the media.
Inspired by the Romanesque style, this magnificent space holds 1,800 seats with room for 200 additional temporary chairs. The limestone structure exhibits a basilican plan (shape of the Latin cross) that includes a marble altar situated in the center of the space directly below the dome which peaks at 117 feet. The $49 million project includes $10 million worth of artwork, most of which was carved by Italian artisans.
The altar – a blood-red, solid piece of art carved out of semi-precious stone, served as the main focal point for the dedication service. Chrism (holy oil) anointed the altar, and was poured at twelve different points in the building – symbolizing the twelve apostles. Remains of Saints and a portion of Christ’s crucifixion cross rest beneath the altar. The remainder of the space consists of radiating transepts, a nave lined with tall windows rising above side aisles and shrines, and an elevated loft that can accommodate an organ, large choir and symphony orchestra. Outside, a carillon of 23 bells is housed in a campanile that soars above the entrance plaza.
Kirkegaard’s project team was led by Senior Consultant, Edward McCue; Consultant, Joanne Chang delivered the audio/video systems design; and responsibility for noise control was directed by Ben Willt.
If you would like to read what others are saying about this project please click here —
Houston’s co-cathedral is complete – ABC13, Houston, Texas
Video of Houston’s Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. – ABC13, Houston, Texas
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Wikipedia”s Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Entry
Kirkegaard Associates is one of the world’s leading acoustics design firms providing comprehensive consulting services for clients seeking the highest quality listening environments. The firm consists of 28 individuals offering experience in architectural acoustics, audio/video systems design; electronic media technology, and mechanical noise and vibration control. The company has earned a reputation for excellence in the design of more than 2,500 successful projects which include: theatres, concert halls, opera houses, educational institutions, worship spaces, recording and broadcast studios, and many other acoustically sensitive environments in North and South America, Europe, the Far East and Australia.