MIAMI, FL.- Archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski along with delegates from the Archdiocese of Miami, the University of Miami School of Architecture, and Miami’s Haitian community will attend an opening exhibition celebrating the works formally on view at the University of Miami: “Winning Competition Designs for Rebuilding the Notre Dame de L’Assomption Cathedral, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.”

“We are honored to host the University of Miami’s exhibit. It is our school and gallery’s mission to connect our Haitian students and their families, as well as the community at large with the people who spearhead projects such as this one,” states ACND’s Principal, Douglas Romanik. “On January 12, 2011, we closed ‘Invictus: Haiti Unconquered’ – an exhibition of photographic works by Miami Herald photojournalist and one of our former graduates, Carl Juste. Although his depiction of the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake was a sensitive subject, it proved to be a didactic approach to exhibition. We hope that UM’s show will be equally powerful and call our community to action. The new Cathedral will be a symbol of hope for all of us.”

The Competition and Exhibit History:
Last fall, architects from throughout the world answered the invitation launched by the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince Mgr. Guyre Poulard to help build a new cathedral for the nation’s capital. The competition, which drew 134 submissions, was organized by the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince and Faith and Form Magazine. In his petition, Mgr. Poulard stated: “The ideal design must engage the future and celebrate life. Still, it must be mindful of the past and memorialize the thousands who died and were injured in the earthquake of January 12, 2010.”

An exhibition opening took place at the Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center Irvin Korach Gallery on January 17, 2013 with opening remarks by Haitian writer and juror Edwidge Danticat. The exhibit was curated by Joachim Perez and School of Architecture Dean, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk was the lead juror of the six member selection jury.

In a statement released to the Herald this past December, Dean Plater-Zyberk stated: “The panel unanimously agreed that the final choice is memorable, elegant and dignified, yet welcoming to the greater community of Port-au-Prince and those who visit.”

Appropriately, “Place de la Cathedral View” – part of the first-place submission headed by Puerto Rican architect Segundo Cardona, FAIA (SCF Arquitectos, LLP) is described by the team: “At the end of the main axis, the chapel is defined by a glowing, color-filled glass wall. This exuberant concentration of light and color will also serve as backdrop for a cross floating over the altar. Pixels of color recreate the earth in red, life in green, and sky or heaven in blue. This sequence of color also recreates the Haitian flag.”

Yves Savain, Haitian-born businessman, directed the competition process and is organizing the event at ACND Prep.