Kengo Kuma completes ribbed portico for Saint Maurice Cathedral in Angers

On April 9, 2026, Kengo Kuma & Associates unveiled a modern portico for the 12th-century Saint Maurice Cathedral located in Angers, France. This pale, monolithic addition is positioned just in front of the historic entrance, creating a transitional space between the city and the cathedral's interior. Deep arches align with the cathedral's bays, with their inward-stepping ribs framing medieval sculptures. Crafted from textured concrete using aggregates sourced from the Loire region, the portico's hue closely resembles the cathedral's limestone but features a smoother finish. The design aims to protect the sculptural doorway, whose polychrome remnants were uncovered during restoration, by offering a sheltered gallery for detailed viewing. The interior ribs create shallow vaults, with lateral light enhancing their curvature while maintaining a slight distance from the wall to preserve the historic structure. The project team includes Chizuko Kawarada, Elise Fauquembergue, Carla Beaujard, Hiromichi Kamiya, heritage architects Vincent Brunelle and Martin Brunelle, general engineering by Betem Atlantique, and lighting design by 8’18’’ Concepteurs Et Plasticiens Lumière.