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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

Location Map

    Key Information

  • 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