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 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.

DESIGN INTENT
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.

One of the Arboretum’s biggest challenges involved the installation of the building’s first-ever air-conditioning system. The building’s east and west sides are made completely of glass and solar heat gain made the interior space warm and uncomfortable. Based on the architectural team’s recommendation an under-floor air distribution system was chosen as it would have the least impact on the building design. The displacement ventilation solution had two advantages:

•    Avoided roof-mounted equipment which would have marred the beautiful profile and the clean interiors designed by Neutra.
•    The under-floor air delivered by floor-level diffusers uses less energy to condition the air and natural displacement eliminates the need for ductwork in the interior space as designed by Neutra.

The building’s 620 panes of single-pane glass were replaced due to tenuous connections and lack of energy efficiency. The new dual-pane glass keeps the original design intent of transparency with increased solar protection. The same offset modular aesthetic as the original design was maintained by working with the glazing contractor and structural engineer on a hybrid system of structural and non-structural glazing units.  

Through structural reinforcement, the Arboretum was also voluntarily retrofitted to meet current seismic standards. The design team was able to keep the exact same amount of glazing and solid elements as the original design by using new sheer walls in the solid south and west walls and structural steel members that fit within the profiles of the vertical fins designed by Neutra adjacent to the curtain wall.

In addition, renovations were made to ensure compliance with California’s Green Building Standards Code and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), all while retaining the celebrated aesthetics. To bring stair railings to code, glass panels were added behind the existing railings meeting ADA requirements while maintaining the non-conforming elegant railing designs by Neutra.

The completed project aesthetically restores one of the icons of Southern California architecture while addressing a new program, client, and liturgy making the building once again a new spiritual center for the citizens of Orange County.