Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church / Grayslake, Illinois
The design of the sanctuary addition presented a challenging design problem. While the new building would be connected to an existing structure, the client wanted the addition to have a presence and identity appropriate to a place of contemporary worship. As with any addition it was necessary to address existing materials and scale relationships. The design also had to accommodate the constraints imposed by a limited budget. The massing of the building is derived from imagery of an open bible. Tall, north-facing clerestory windows introduce daylight into major spaces, enhancing the worship experience. The fan-shaped seating configuration wraps around the platform fostering a sense of intimacy within the congregation. The foyer/gathering space opens to the landscaped courtyard and allows the activity to spill outside in temperate weather. At night indirect lighting visible through the clerestory windows creates a symbolic beacon for the community.
Project Location
- 350-seat skylit sanctuary with state of the art audio video system
- 30-seat contemporary and 30-seat traditional choir
- Foyer with up to 100 overflow seats
- Two multi-purpose classrooms
- Landscaped courtyard
- Designed for future expansion of the main worship space
- Sweeping, uplifting form of the contemporary addition is in response to the modern design of the original 1963 building