CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL
Hamilton East
Completion: 2008
A strong need to get to know the church and its people was the driving force behind the design of the major refurbishment & extensions to the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of Hamilton’s landmark buildings which sits proudly on a knoll in Hamilton East, facing west towards the river and the city.
One of the key drivers for the re-development of the cathedral was to keep the building suitable for the seat of the Catholic Bishop, and to give greater flexibility to the liturgical needs of the Cathedral. The internal space planning lends itself from over-flowingly large Christmas and Easter masses to smaller family groups for baptisms, catering for many different celebrations and congregations.
Integral to the design development was to have the architecture composition molded to suit the nature of the Cathedral and associated liturgical requirements, with the crucifix, the cathedral and altar, all centrally aligned. Importantly, the baptismal font was brought on to the central building axis and within the Cathedral entry. The interior space planning clusters ‘sculptural’ rooms around the foyer, and retains the integrity of the original church building – in particular the soaring iconic stained glass window containing the Resurrection scene is boldly visible from Grey Street, embracing the Cathedral and the community. A major landmark project, one of which the practice is immensely proud.
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