Saint Mary of Assumption Cathedral. 聖マリア被昇天大聖堂

The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco (1963–1971) represents a landmark collaboration between architect Pietro Belluschi and structural engineer Pier Luigi Nervi. Invited by Angus McSweeney’s office, Belluschi brought Nervi on board as structural consultant, leading to the cathedral’s distinctive dome of intersecting hyperbolic paraboloids. Composed of 1,600 reinforced concrete triangular panels (tavelloni), the dome rises 60 metres above a square plan supported by four massive inclined pillars. Extensive structural and aerodynamic testing was carried out in Italy before construction began in 1967. Though Nervi’s proposal to prefabricate the elements in Rome was abandoned, his innovative design defined the cathedral’s expressive geometry and luminous interior. Completed in 1970 and consecrated in 1971, the cathedral stands as one of Nervi’s most celebrated achievements, even though he never visited it in person.