Story

The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located in Des Plaines, Illinois.  The existing site resembles a park setting wrapping around recreation fields and ponds, and the focal point of the property is the centrally located plaza containing the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Mary Chapel, and the Maryville Academy building.

Mekus Tanager was hired to develop a master plan for the site with goals including:

-Proposing the location for a 3,000 seat basilica of architectural significance

-Proposing an outdoor gathering space for 10,000 worshipers that relates to the basilica and existing shrines

-Including a Rosary Walk and Holy Water station

-Provide a clear circulation path for vehicles and to separate pedestrian and vehicular paths.

-Reuse or modify existing buildings to suit the new programmatic requirements

The final design option developed by Mekus Tanager involved moving the Shrine slightly east in order to create a new focal point within a large, semi-circular shaped basilica.  The basilica is situated in a prominent location visible from the public roads, and the size of the basilica visually compliments the large mausoleum complex across the street.  Surrounding the basilica is a walkway for the Stations of the Cross.  Radiating out of the focal point are formal visual alignments to the existing Maryville Chapel, a new Votive chapel, bell tower, and the façade of the new basilica.  The existing plaza is expanded to integrate these features into a cohesive outdoor space that also provides pedestrian links to parking areas and the new Rosary Walk.