Originally designed in 1961, the 22,000 SF Arboretum is part of a 34-acre campus developed by Reverend Robert Schuller for his ministry. Richard Neutra, one of Southern California’s most celebrated architects was hired by Rev. Schuller and The Arboretum is considered one of Neutra’s masterpieces in Southern California. In 2012, the Orange County Diocese and the Christ Catholic Cathedral Corporation purchased the site as the home for the future Christ Cathedral.
The building had a number of unsuccessful renovations over the years and with the help of a well-respected Neutra scholar the “age of significant” was determined to be the mid 1960’s. Using historical photos from the Julius Schuman files at the Getty the team was able to identify renovations after the period determined, and set about to bring this remarkable design back to its former glory, while accommodating a new program, new client and new liturgy.
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