During the current
economy, one consistent victim seems to be speculative retail
developments. One such building gave a local congregation the
opportunity to make a new home within the former shell. The benefits of
the situation were a fully developed site and building shell. The
drawback was trying to “fit” the requirements of the congregation into
an existing building and utilize ever door, window, column, mechanical
unit, and more as efficiently as possible while maintaining the design
qualities. On top of all of this, the church has a preschool currently
scattered in different locations that need to consolidate in the new
location. After many iterations the final design came into fruition
with the assistance of Hanlon Engineering. By using the existing
restrictions of space and systems, we allowed the essence of the new
sanctuary to reflect a modern, simple aesthetic. Formal materials such
as wood and stone were featured at the chancel only, with the lighting
and seating set in a radial pattern to allow focus to be set on the
chancel.