The proposal re-interprets the metaphors which have guided the design and development of traditional Churches, established by the Latin cross (or “cruciform”) plan. This model consists of a long nave defining the body of the church; a transverse arm, the transept; and, beyond it, an extension called the choir, chancel or presbytery. The nave is flanked on either side by aisles as it is the focal point for entry into the sanctuary. The nave is considerably taller than the aisles and is lined with clerestory windows emphasizing it as a strong central line. Our proposal looks back at this traditional “planning”.
Concept and Metaphors Attempting to maintain the existing walls
–a great importance to the congregation
–established the roof as the parti for establishing an architectural concept. Metaphors have always been of key importance in the “experience” of a church. From the structural and grounded ideas of the great Romanesque and Gothic churches to the use of height, light and detail like in the Gothic Cathedral in Toledo, Spain; the design approach explores these conditions in a contemporary experience.
- The design starts with the very simple understanding that the church is a cross and the roof is interpreted as Christ on that cross; an architectural crucifix. This starting point guided the geometrical structure of the roof. It is from this roof form that the rest of the church and its programs are organized. In order to meet the spatial and functional requirements for the congregation - and the additional request for community spaces – the periphery (at the existing walls) is given to community and other church programs. The Chapel space takes its place at the heart of the redevelopment. This does two important things; it gives additional multi-purpose space at the existing walls (which would have had to be finished for envelope reasons), and it identifies the roof as the driving factor for everything as you are drawn to the ceiling – just as originally envisioned.
- The roof is imagined as a series of undulating Para-Lam Beams with glass and copper paneling within. This emphasizes the power of natural light as it re-shapes the chapel as the day goes on, and it places an importance on the structure of the “new” church as key to showing the strength of the community despite the unfortunate history of the building.
Our approach to re-development looked at the whole site as a “Public” venue. We did not want to approach this proposal with a traditional developer mentality, which could result in a reduced Vision for the community. A community that is quickly becoming the largest growing community in the National Capital Region. The project thus has made a bold statement for “Public” redevelopment that would include the construction of a new “civic” facility that would include a new Public Library (including Children's Library) totalling up to 73,000sq.ft, a 300 seat concert hall, a 32,000sq.ft multi-use conference space, between 32-60,000 sq.ft of commercial, and over 100,000 sq.ft of park space. These facilities would be serviced by an underground parking garage that allows for this public re-appropriation of the ground plane.
Library
The library was envisioned to be on the second level of the facility. It has roughly 43,000 sq.ft running north south with an additional 30,000sq.ft on a mezzanine level. Lighting is lit from skylights above and placed in specific locations to protect the book stacks. The Reading room is located at the south face of the building and protected by a series of vertical louvers. There is a small Children's Library located at the ground floor at the main entrance.
Concert Hall
The 300 seat Concert Hall is located on the North / East Corner running East to West and starts at the Ground Floor. The Parti of its design is to have the Concert Hall interact with an exterior amphitheatre located just east of the church. The Back wall of the Stage is made up of a series of vertical glass louvers that can be opened and moved during the summer months to house indoor and outdoor concerts.
Conference Space
The conference space is located on the second level directly above the Concert hall. This multipurpose space is support space for the Main Facility but can be used by the St-Paul's for venues such as Wedding receptions. This space frames the Church at the West end – a reminder of where this all began.
Commercial Space
There is over 32,000 sq.ft of commercial on the ground level as a natural support for the entire block. We envisioned all of these public commercial spaces to be of small town retail, coffee shops, restaurants, etc. There is the potential for an additional 30,000sq.ft at mezzanine levels.
Exterior Park Space
The entire development, including the church frame a new Park Space; a true Civic Space; a place where people can play with their kids or relax and read a book (one just taken out from the library, of course). During the summer months, people can visit the farmer's markets located underneath these beautiful undulating pavilions, or as mentioned - catch a summer concert.
(Competitor's text)
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