As part of the Diocese of Orange Catholic Church located on 34-acres in Orange, California, Christ Cathedral Arboretum was originally known as Crystal Cathedral. This historical building, designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson in 1980, was built without heating and air conditioning, and when converted, required an all-new HVAC system. However, when our experienced HVAC installation team began the project, they discovered there wasn’t adequate space for the new equipment and ductwork.
The project was part of a $53M facility renovation that involved equipment installation designed to expand on existing 6-foot square underground ductwork. Our team welded the new ductwork with subterranean stainless steel using specific structural duct supports to maintain the integrity of the original duct. The team also installed a custom Energy Labs air handler to the exterior of the building, and a large stainless-steel duct encased by concrete, as well as a moisture barrier underground. Upon completion, the 10th largest Catholic Diocese in the nation was grateful for the installation that modernized this community icon without any disruption to the historical building’s structure.