Project Description: The church and community s desire was to develop a master plan and program that would meet the needs of the current 3,000 families and growing congregation. Preparing for the future led to the first phase of the plan building a new church. In response, a 17- person building committee was organized to work collaboratively from programming through completion. Key Principles of Design Include: New campus design should create a safe, active place of worship, celebration and learning by engaging the community. The Masterplan should embrace, enhance and promote interaction between the diverse parish families, school, church and community. The new church should serve as the cornerstone of the campus and be a beacon to the catholic faith community while having a humble yet inviting presence. Building Area: 24,500 SF Cost per Square Foot: $637 Construction Cost: $15,618,055 Date of Completion: January 2017 A1.01 The new church seats 1,200 parishioners including a chapel which fits an additional 120 people. Exterior Courtyards are designed at both the main entry and the chapel entry to encourage community interaction. This simple, yet elegant design is a collage of transcendental Christian motifs veiled within the fabric of a historic religious archetypes, such as the Gothic Arch.
A1.02 SITE PLAN Site development was vital in creating a welcoming and community oriented environment that would architecturally become a beacon for the Catholic faith community. By locating the church on the corner of the busy thoroughfare, the design team was able to increase visibility while improving access and maintaining the existing seven oak trees.
A1.03 The increased scale and transparency of the entry washed with carefully selected architectural lighting design serves the most prominent campus structure. The entry plaza creates a transitional place for parishioners to reflect before entering the worship space and a place for community fellowship after mass. The bell tower was designed to fit the three refurbished bronze bells and lit to highlight its presence on the campus.
A1.04 A modern take on Gothic lines with an edited material palette allows the church s design elements and art glass to be the feature. Reflections from the art glass create color play on subtle backgrounds and change throughout the day. The transparent entry allows a glimpse of the Sanctuary as the focal point and draws a connection between the exterior and interior finish palettes.
A1.05 The efficient and creative use of precast concrete played a vital role in construction. To achieve the church s design goals, the design team used a proprietary finishing technique to achieve the look of 100 year old aged limestone block and brick motifs. Custom form liners were used to increase the randomness of brick so it look hand laid. Masonry units were shipped from overseas and intended to look like a fired brick vs. traditional clay brick. Gothic precast concreate archways are scaled up to create a transitional look.
A1.06 The church is a cruciform shape with a long nave and the cross formed by the left and right transepts. FLOOR PLAN
A1.07 The arch motif is borrowed from the church s architecture and integrated throughout the interior. Upon entry, the main body of the church sanctuary evokes an uplifting mood. The warm material palette includes tonal paints, mixed wood elements, stone, tile and carefully planned artistic themes that not only enhance the architecture of the building but bring a sense of majesty. Clerestory windows located along the side aisles, two rose windows, glass at the main entry and the use of glass at the sanctuary wall allow worshippers access to natural daylight.
A1.08 Parishioner donated stained glass is located throughout the church illustrating sacraments and biblical themes. The main sanctuary window allows transparency between the church and chapel. Projection screens located on either side of the sanctuary wall gives parishioners the ability to follow along with scripture readings and hymns. A custom carved statue of the Blessed Mother is set back in a niche allowing for private adoration.
A1.09 The custom designed baptismal font celebrates the idea of living water. It flows down to the quatrefoil shaped font which is large enough to accommodate full baptisms. The altar and podium used in the former church were relocated and refurbished to match the wood tones of the new church. Additional pieces were designed to compliment them. Wood beams highlight the arched ceiling reaching 55 feet. Wiring and sprinkler system were strategically covered using faux beams to give the feel of an old church.
A1.10 Colored to match wall materials, strategically placed acoustical panels give the appearance of sheetrock rather than fabric. Reclaimed antique stations of the cross provide rhythm and balance processioning along the interior perimeter. Through collaboration with the engineers, the lighting of the stations of the cross showcase their beauty and depth by lighting them from above and below giving a glow effect.
A1.11 The tabernacle located beneath the crucifix at the glass wall was purposefully designed to serve both the church and the chapel, located behind the glass wall. Radius curved pews follow the curvilinear form of the steps at the front of the sanctuary giving a more intimate feeling and greater visual access. Custom, hand-laid marble mosaic medallions are located down the center aisle of the church and chapel. Each medallion depicts different religious sacraments or biblical theme.
A1.12 The daily chapel provides a more intimate setting for daily Mass, adoration, private prayer, small weddings and school grade level masses, with a seating capacity of 120 people. The chapel garden serves as an extension of the chapel and church.