Story

Cox Medendorp Olson Architects assisted the Parish in the development of a long-range growth study.  This study became the foundation for the first step of the project, a Master Plan and a spatial use analysis of every building on the multi-building Parish campus.  The prominent location of this parish campus at the top of a Lake Michigan bluff required a careful study of the site to maintain view corridors to the lake for the neighboring residences.

The church, school, rectory, and site were all reviewed to determine projected spacial needs, building restoration issues, and renovation requirements.  A budget was established for the various components of the Master Plan to prioritize and schedule the work.  The budget process, along with graphic materials depicting the proposed design, assisted in the fund-raising campaign.

The first phase of the Master Plan included replacing the existing rectory building with a new multi-level facility providing an expanded narthex, church offices, classrooms, youth ministry areas and a connector link to the future Multi-purpose Family Center.  The elevations of the new building were patterned after the existing rectory that had to be removed to improve site circulation.  The familiar character of these elevations help to lessen the impact of new construction on the visual fabric of a very well established neighborhood and also worked to respect the architectural style of the existing church.

Phase Two of the Master Plan includes a new Family Center, providing a new gymnasium, full stage, full kitchen, and storage areas for the Parish.  It will also become a vital link from the School to the other church buildings.  When complete, the entire campus will then all be accessible by interior circulation.  Cox Medendorp Olson Architects was able to create a phased design which addresses the needs and desires of multiple stakeholders and respects the existing architecture.