LOCATION
FIRST CHURCH of CHRIST, SCIENTIST
The existing FCCS sanctuary was too large for its dwindling congregation, and while the 1948 building was well planned, it was built in a stark and pragmatic way. A complete remodel of this space was undertaken to provide a more intimate scale and to improve spatial and architectural quality.
ORIENTATION
The sanctuary is newly conceived as a room within a room. The seating has been significantly reduced, placed in the center, and surrounded by layers of space and light. On the sides, paired piers alternate with panels of metal-framed glass to create screens that enclose the seating area, transfer light from the large exterior windows, and emphasize the height of the space. What was a dark and cavernous area at the back of the sanctuary has become a threshold between the lobby and the seating area.
ORGANIZATION
Special attention has been paid to lighting, materials and details to achieve a room of quiet dignity. The diffuse ambient lighting at the perimeter and other lighting sources can be dimmed to respond to different occasions and to the changing quality of natural light.
