The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, designed by Xiaofeng Mei and Xiaotian Gao is something from a distant world. Or at least it appears that way. I’m not sure what all to say. The architects describe it as being inspired by two disparate subjects. The first being fish and their specific parts (bones, gill, suko) and the second being church beliefs and the spirituality of space. The latter seems to concern itself with how this ultra-modern form coexists with the preexisting modern buildings.
Courtesy of Xiaofeng Mei+Xiaotian Gao
The cathedral grows formally from a series of cells which develop their own logical ordering and groupings. A hierarchy was sought to control levels of complexity and differing aesthetics throughout the place of worship.
Courtesy of Xiaofeng Mei+Xiaotian Gao
The construct is self-admittedly more theoretical than practicable at this time. But, the architects counter, this is a necessity for progress in any field, architecture included. One personal note- it’s a bit of an ominous church isn’t it?
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.