Story

JTAI was commissioned to help this growing church with its Master Planning. While future phases have been developed conceptually, only the first renovation phase has been fully designed. One focus of this renovation Project was to give a more elegant, contemporary look to the existing façade, mitigate the leaks that had developed in the wall structure, and make the façade more energy efficient. EIFS banding was chosen as the primary material for its ability to be installed over the existing construction with no demolition and little preparation. The detailing of the material allowed the choppy façade to be smoothed out and accentuates the horizontal nature of the building mass, while the thermal properties of the material, together with a new insulated glazing system, increase the building's energy efficiency. The other primary addition elements are the elevator tower, new vestibule, and porte-cochere. These elements were designed and detailed together as part of a new entrance concept to further modernize the building's appearance, call out the main entry point to the building for approaching visitors, and provide better vehicular and pedestrian circulation around and into the narthex. The limestone texture of the new elevator tower recalls a traditional building material but with contemporary detailing. The glass and metallic blue skin of the new entry vestibule together with the gently sweeping form of the porte-cochere symbolize the area's ties to the automotive industry while directing people from the parking lot along a formal center line to the narthex and sanctuary. The overall result is a design that utilizes a mix of traditional colors and materials to respect the history of the church along with contemporary detailing and accent materials to reflect the history of the area and evoke thoughts of a new future.