Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church

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Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church

Firm

Arkin Tilt Architects

Type

Cultural › Religious

This 1566 sf church serves the small but growing needs of the Gualala/Sea Ranch community—Catholic and other religions—seating 175 people. Set on the crest of a wooded terrace above the Pacific Ocean and Highway One, the design intends to appreciate the sanctity of the natural beauty of the site, rather than compete with it. The primary orientation is due south to the beach and rocks of Gualala Point Regional Park, providing the backdrop for the altar. This axis continues back through the lobby to an entry porch featuring a large symbolic baptismal rock (which catches rainwater collected on the standing seam copper roof), across the church yard and under an arbor. The rear walls of the church open completely via bi-fold birch veneer doors for overflow into the outdoors. The church is appended by a cloister, formed by a roofed bench and a 288 sf "out-building", housing restrooms, a kitchenette and storage, which helps protect the cloister from the near constant ocean winds and forms a pleasant , usable outdoor space. In an area which has been heavily logged, particular attention was paid to the use of wood. Every attempt was made to use small dimensioned lumber and expose the structure, so that the wood could be fully appreciated. The structure of the roof rises from the entry to beyond the Altar on two large trusses along the diagonal of the 40' square plan. The trusses and frames are of small dimension lumber—2x10, 2x6 and 3x4 Douglas fir—assembled with 4" diameter split-rings (the largest members in the project are two 4x12s at the south wall). The 3x6 diagonal braces along the rear and sides provide structural support for both the roof framing and the slender studs between the tall windows. The 4x6 fir studs also serve as trim at the window jambs. The roof over the diagonal aisle, accentuated by the two large trusses, is lifted toward the east to allow morning sunlight through clerestory windows. Both wall and roof decking are 2x8 T&G decking with 3/8" plywood for shear. A birch ply topped bench surrounds the space, providing storage as well as additional seating. The exterior is clad in clear redwood which will weather naturally, as is typical on the coast. All structural framing is left exposed as interior finish, making the most of the money spent on valuable forest resources. The project is testimony to a process of collaboration—between architects, structural engineer, a craftsman of a construction supervisor, and a dedicated team of skilled volunteer and professional carpenters.

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Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church

Other Projects by Arkin Tilt Architects

Idea Garden

Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team