Experiencing continual growth, the Jacob’s Well community approached BNIM Architects to increase the spatial capacity of the congregation gathering areas and address the accessibility deficiencies of their existing neighborhood church.  Beyond these programmatic needs, the addition’s design is a cumulative response to the three primary considerations; the character of the existing 1930’s structural masonry church, the creative nature of the congregation, and the desire to create accessible spaces for gathering.

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Design Response to the Existing Church Structures
The existing exterior wall assembly is a structural masonry and the roof is clad with a terra cotta tile.  Existing interiors are muted with false heavy timber cladding its horizontal steel structure.  In response, the design team pursued a contemporary masonry and wood construction approach that would relate to the existing and display honesty in the application of materials and structure.  Slate shingle cladding was selected for the exterior walls, presenting the same visual weight and permanence as traditional masonry but allowing for a higher performing wall system.  Supporting the addition is primarily wood stick framing with the addition of large glulams and wood decking supporting the roof.  Building systems are tucked in lower floor ceilings, allowing the beauty of the exposed wood structure to warm the main floor of the addition.   

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Response to the Creative Congregational Identity
Inspired by the congregation’s creative music community, the project was designed using grid multiples of 4 and details were integrated in rhythms considerate of this regular composition.  Working off themes of music, rhythms, and congregation, the addition was conceptualized as a volumetric vinyl LP.  Like a record, the building is a recording vessel and is organized in a regularized grid creating the smallest individual grooves (4” rail module) that build into semi regular song breaks (4’ structural heavy timber module) that radiate around a pivot point (central circulation to existing structure).  Like needles of a record player, the members of the church fill the spaces between the organizing and structural grids.  Independently, the needle (church members) and the LP (church structure) are static.  Together, the combination of community and place creates music.  Throughout the landscape and building, echos of these rhythms can be seen and felt.

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Accessible Spaces for Gathering
Having only a simple lift chair applied to the existing building prior to the addition, the design of the addition aimed to elevate the entry experience for each of the congregation’s members by providing on grade entries and an eternal elevator central to the facility.  Exterior entries and ramps are integrated into exterior gathering spaces, and these spaces open out towards the surrounding community.