Context
This congregation occupies a sprawling facility that began with the purchase of a mansion in 1948 and has since grown into an approximately 80,000 sf facility over the years. Additions include a large social multipurpose hall in the early 1950’s, a partial educational wing in the mid-1950’s, a large sanctuary, lounge and access corridor in 1961, and an extension of the education wing and an administration infill in the 1980’s. These varied additions have done little to work cohesively as a whole, and the aesthetic expression is incongruous. A master-plan study done almost five years prior, which included a detailed report outlining group interviews, adjacencies, code reviews, and services analysis, led to the creation of a technical and aesthetic document outlining the priorities and hierarchies of intervention.
Concept
This congregation occupies a sprawling facility that began with the purchase of a mansion in 1948 and has since grown into an approximately 80,000 sf facility over the years. Additions include a large social multipurpose hall in the early 1950’s, a partial educational wing in the mid-1950’s, a large sanctuary, lounge and access corridor in 1961, and an extension of the education wing and an administration infill in the 1980’s. These varied additions have done little to work cohesively as a whole, and the aesthetic expression is incongruous. A master-plan study done almost five years prior, which included a detailed report outlining group interviews, adjacencies, code reviews, and services analysis, led to the creation of a technical and aesthetic document outlining the priorities and hierarchies of intervention.
Team
Cyrus Subawalla – (While an Associate at HBRA)
Sangwan Seo – Architect
HBRA Architects – Lawton Thies (While Principal at HBRA)
Project Data
Building type: Cultural-Social Hall
Sustainability/LEED: Entirely new high performance facade and roof
Location: Gold Coast, Chicago
Site Area: 6.5 Acres
Project Area: Approx. 10,000 sf
Client: St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church
Completion Year: 2003
Construction Cost: $1.135 Million in 2013