Photo Credit: Kevin Scott

Saint James Cathedral Portico

Religious Architecture: Renovation, Honor Award
Gerrick Office

Seattle, WA

The portico transforms an existing secondary entrance into a primary entrance through design interventions that aid in wayfinding, accessibility, and conveying Catholic theology. The project references the Pórtico de la Gloria, the main entry gate to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia, Spain.

The light monitor reaches thirty feet above the floor of the vestibule. During the day, the monitor illuminates the vestibule with diffuse north light. At night, recessed light coves illuminate from within, creating a beacon of light announcing the cathedral’s presence as a spiritual guiding light for First Hill and the city at large.

The entry doors feature projecting fins crafted from naval brass, arrayed in a pattern that references the scallop shell, an icon traditionally associated with Saint James. In addition, the holy water stoup allows multiple visitors to bless themselves simultaneously in a collective spiritual gesture. The presence of holy water at the entry to the cathedral alludes to the sacrament of baptism. Above the stoup is an inscription from the Gospel of Luke about a journey in faith.

Jury Comments

The new northeast portico for Saint James Cathedral is an example of a small intervention that makes a profound impact on an existing religious structure. The design uses lighting in diverse and subtle ways, as well as the fine detailing of new entry doors and a holy water stoup, to transform what was once merely a building access point into a warm and inviting statement of liturgical welcome to the entire First Hill neighborhood in Seattle.

Project Partners

Saint James Cathedral
Swenson Say Faget
Studio Lumen
RDH Building Science
Studio Pacifica
Ferguson Construction
Decorative Metal Arts
Dynamic Fenestration
Lambert Stoneworks
Robbie Schneider