GUIDING LIGHT ASSEMBLY CHURCH MIXED-USE
Approach View
BRIEF The client; Guiding Light Assembly wanted to develop a facility that would not just be used twice a week to host church services but will be utilized maximally, week in and week out. This necessitated the need for the client to request for a 2,500-seater Auditorium to be used for church services, charity shops, classrooms, meeting rooms, offices, live-in spaces and a banquet hall. The client s brief went a long way in solving the problem of under utility in that a wide array of people cutting across all walks of life will end up using the facility at one point or another. HIGHLIGHT OF CLIENT APPROVED DESIGN AND WHY THE DESIGN WAS SE- LECTED In the design of the church, we departed from the traditional typology to create contemporary ecclesiastical but multi-functional spaces: offices, meeting halls, versatile multi-functional rooms; the church becomes a value adding member of the community. As a testimonial of its usefulness, the neighbouring Greenwood House School (amongst other organisations) hosts all its major gatherings in GLA. Though multi-functional, the church does not lose focus of its primary function as a place of worship. The Skylight in the main auditorium from above draws the worshippers eyes away from the hustle and grime of their terrestrial existence to the Celestial Being they all are gathered to adore. GLA is a hub of activity in the community all week round because of its versatility. The building s carbon footprint is low as during the day, there is no need for artificial light. All the spaces are naturally cross ventilated. The courtyard is exploited as it is done in traditional South Western Nigerian Architecture to allow for natural daylight and cross ventilation. Members of the congregation have perfect sight lines to the pulpit from any seat in the auditorium. The original façade sported soaring fins redolent of rejoicing worshippers. However, the present copper and gold post-modern façade is our compromise to accommodate the client s budget
Approach View 2
LOCATION The Cathedral which occupies about 1,850sqm is located on Layi Ajayi Bembe Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. The site, located in Ikoyi which is a major choice area in Lagos, has the Greenwood school by its side with Banana Island (also a choice area) only about 5 minutes away. It can be easily accessed from a number of major roads and is served by a good road network. The Structure positioned almost at the middle of Site covers towards the rear of the site covers 48.83 per cent of the land area leaving 51.17 per cent as open spaces. AND USE OF SPACE The Facility is zoned in such a way that the courtyard separates the the Admin area from the main Auditorium so that the Courtyard serves as a buffer for the sound emanating from the Worship centre. The open area on the site is mainly used for parking which is mostly angular to accommodate more spaces. The scheme provides for ample sky lighting through the Atrium, illuminating the very heart of the facility. The architecture of the building is contemporary with the external walls fully cladded with Aluminium panels. The approach of the edifice is significantly finished with curtain walls which also allow natural lighting into the Gallery. APPEARANCE & FINISH The structure is given an elegant modern expression with the aluminium composite panels and transparent glass roof covering to allow skylight illuminate desired spaces within the building. The elegant look is further accentuated by a significant use of curtain wall especially at the approach area. The facility s appearance can be comprehensively appreciated from either
Auditorium
one of the roads that bounds the site. The interplay of different shades of gold for the cladding gives it a character that is unique only to itself. SUSTAINABILITY The materials used for this project were clinically chosen with considerations given to the architecture style, sustainability and climate. The facility is a concrete frame structure comprising of simple repetitive elements, which makes the construction process a lot easier. In a bid to utilize as little energy as possible to run the facility, a concept to maximise the use of natural daylight was adopted hence taking advantage of large glazing and atriums, dismissing the need for artificial sources to light the interior spaces. The facility is designed to collect rainwater from the roof to supply grey water for irrigation of planted area around the building. SAFETY & SECURITY Ample escape stairs and routes have been provided to eject the maximum volume of people the facility is intended to house in case of an emergency. There are three entrances into the site, each with a Gate House which makes it very easy to control both pedestrian and vehicular movement.