Sacred Architecture by Michelle McCullough

Sacred Architecture

Sacred Architecture searching for the ineffable

Architecture is a sensorial interaction that provides us with a perceptual and integrated understanding in the world. Buildings, to be more specific, are experienced as a full extension of our bodies. The Material Logics + Sacred studio searched to understand the connection between the multi-sensory experience and the crafting of a building. The search relied on confluent investigations of material logic and sacred architecture. Traditionally, the cathedral has stood as a physical manifestation of Catholic values and ideology. The church has existed as a private, introspective, and non-public space; much like the common perception of Catholic culture. Recently, Catholicism has made significant shifts, taking an inclusive approach in their principles. While the religion has progressed, its architecture has yet to align to these new ideals. This sacred space challenges religious architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hold on tradition.

Fall 2014 Tectonic Studio Professor: Mark Bacon Partner: Melissa Hywood 2014 SGH/Dri-Design Merit Award

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SITE INVENTORY Source of Heaviest Noise Least Desirable Views Most Desirable Views Park in Eas g Zone em ding ent Zon e

Buil

USER AXES: Commu

USER AXES: Community & Worship

ZONING Mixed Use (MU): This district is designated for projects that combine several compatible land uses into an integrated development. (OMC_55-561) Flood Fringe (FF): Area of the floodplain, outside of the floodway, that on the average is likely to be flooded once every 100 years. New construction shall have the lowest floor elevated at least one foot above the the highest base flood elevation or be floodproofed. (OMC_55-658.b.2) Flood Way (FW): The channel of a river or other water course and the adjacent land areas. New construction is prohibited in this area unless otherwise certified. (OMC_55-651)

SETBACKS FW FF

On-site parking should be set back 10’ from the edge of the property and the building setback is 25‘ from the property line.

COMMUNITY Public User Support Staff

MU 25’ 10’

PARKING SETBACK BUILDING SETBACK

WORSHIP Priest Congregant

Mixed Use (MU): Flood Fringe (FF): area of the floodplain, outside of the floodway, that on the average is likely to be flooded once every 100 years (i.e., [ZONING] [EASEMENTS] that has a one percent chance of flood occurrence in any one year). Flood Way (FW): the channel of a river or The maximum building height is 40’, an other water course and the adjacent land additional 20’ is allowed for fully-sprinklered areas that must be reserved in order to buildings. The total maximum building height is discharge the base flood without cumulatively 60’. increasing the water surface elevation more

The project site is located at 71st and Pacific St. in Omaha, NE. It is tucked behind box retail stores facing 72nd Mixed Use (MU):St. and sits Flood Fringe (FF): area of upon the floodplain, alongside Little Papillion Creek. Based of the floodway, that on the average is the traffic and noiseoutside from Pacific St. and the likely to be flooded once every 100 years (i.e., [SETBACKS] [ZONING] prime views of the creek, thepercent determined that has a one chance of flood occurrence in any one year). area is located at the south end of Thebuilding maximum building height isFlood 40’, an Way (FW): the channel of a river or additional 20’ iswhile allowedthe for fully-sprinklered the site parking will flowandfrom the land other water course the adjacent buildings. The total maximum building height is be reserved in order to areas that must north end. 60’. discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more

FW FF

MU 25’ 10’ FF

PARKING SETBACK BUILDING SETBACK

SITE ANALYSIS:

SCALE: 1” = 64’ ZONING + BUILDING CODE

1 Intersect

3 Separate

Rotate Worship axis for better access off parking flow

Intersect Worship and Community axes

HIP RS WO

Separate Community program, elevate Chapel for hierarchy, pull off Private Chapel

12â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

RSH

IP Chapel

Rectory

Com

I UN

mun

Y IT

TY M

1. Intersect Both axes are perpendicular to one another and intersect at the center. Worship oriented to traditional 4 Widen &axes Punch Out Widen Community building to accommodate program, punch out central commons space East and West.

ity

apel

Private Ch

2. Rotate Shift worship off of its traditional axes in order to be more welcoming 5 Heighten by providing easier access and Heighten points of axis termination - Chapel & Commons Welcome Center better flow.

3. Separate Chapel is elevated to establish an experiential procession. Community 6 Pop Up space is pulled away to allow circulation Pop up segments in Community space to provide natural light & controlled to create interior within the pointviewsofandintersection. nooks

GATHERING

90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

PATHWAYS

PLAZA Massing Strategy

4 Widen & Punch Out

Widen Community building to accommodate program, punch out central commons space

5 Heighten

Heighten points of axis termination - Chapel & Commons Welcome Center

6 Pop Up

Pop up segments in Community space to provide natural light & controlled views and to create interior nooks

90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

4. Widen & Punch Out A core is hollowed into the center of each building, allowing community to be an integral part of program.

THRESHOLD

5. Heighten The termination of each axes is heightened to designate destination points.

6. Pop Up Massing Strategy Reveals are created within the community space to allow natural light, controlled views, and interior nooks.

GATHERING

Envelope buildings in Grayson Slate

Acid-etched Glass creating light volumes at destination points and sweeping along Chapel circulation

1. Monolithic Volumes Envelope volumes in dark slate to reference traditional monolithic 4 Highlight nooks churches. Highlight nooks with Ipe Glaze the sides for natural light and controlled views

Wrap Courtyard and Chapel core in Ipe.

East 1/8" = 1'-0"

2. Highlight Destinations Create light volumes at the heightened points of destination + Section Study with acid-etched glass that sweeps light along chapel axis to the balcony.

3. Warm Core Spaces Define and warm the two core spaces and create a visual transition + Chapel Axis Sections from the heavy stone to the light in these places of procession.

+ Community Axis Sections

4 Highlight nooks

+ Section Study

Highlight nooks with Ipe Glaze the sides for natural light and controlled views

+ Chapel Axis Sections

+ Community Axis Sections

4. Highlight Nooks Define nooks with ipe banding. Glaze the North and South sides to allow natural light while controlling views to the East.

The interaction of the volumes of material provide a transition as the user flows through each space from the dark to the light - tradition to modernity.

ACID ETCHED GLASS

IPE CROSS

IPE CORE

PROGRAMMATIC STAIR

SLATE STONE WALL

STEEL STRUCTURE

The Community axis of building invites the broader community to experience the church without requiring worship. The axis guides users from the parking area, through a passage below the elevated chapel, and into the open courtyard. This area showcases the gathering space and the highlighted destination point of the lounge. The courtyard is surrounded by a dining room, offices, meeting rooms, and a quiet library featuring an inglenook and smaller, intimate nooks.

27 1 A200

26 1

A200

24 CHAPEL

CHAPEL ENTRY

NAVE

---

GALLERY

20 11

SACRISTY

1 A201

MECH./STORAGE

18 UP

NARTHEX

19 DN

18 17

LIVING LIBRARY 1/2 BATH

DINNING

KITCH. GARAGE

ROOF PATIO

SUITE 2

SUITE 1

14 MTG. RM

8 13

13 MTG. RM

16 2 A201

7 PATIO

COMMONS

6 CAFE/DINING OFFICE

LOUNGE REF.

MECH. CUST.

TECH.

Level 1 1/16" = 1'-0"

SECOND LEVEL PLAN

GROUND LEVEL PLAN Scale

1/16" = 1'-0"

A101

Scale

1/16" = 1'-0"

A102

Intimate nooks are punched out of the West wall in the library. These spaces provide moments of retreat from the busy community-centered programs within the building. They are wrapped in a warm ipe and flanked with glass to bring in natural light during the day and inviting visuals from the exterior during the night.

STONE ROOF CAP FLASHING

ROOF MEMBRANE ROOF SHEATHING RIGID INSULATION

Level 2 10' - 6"

SLATE VENEER ANCHOR AND PIN

MOARTER NET

AIR/VAPOR BARRIER 2 A203

SHEATHING MOARTER JOINT

METAL STUDS

SUSPENDED GYP CEILING GYP W.B. WEEPS FLASHING

Level 1 0' - 0"

Dining Wall Section 3/4" = 1'-0"

Level 1 0' - 0"

STONE ROOF CAP FLASHING

ROOF MEMBRANE ROOF SHEATHING

Dining Wall Detail 1 1/2" = 1'-0"

WALL SECTION 2 Scale

As indicated

A203

RIGID INSULATION

Level 2 10' - 6"

SLATE VENEER ANCHOR AND PIN

MOARTER NET

AIR/VAPOR BARRIER

SHEATHING MOARTER JOINT

METAL STUDS

SUSPENDED GYP CEILING GYP W.B. WEEPS FLASHING

Level 1 0' - 0"

The dining room, while a traditional feature of churches, is designed to foster collaboration and community dining. This space is visually connected to the rest of the community areas through the long glass wall, in contrast to the typical church dining room that is often very closed off and even used as a gymnasium.

apel Wall Section " = 1'-0"

The worship axis of the church emphasizes the concept of the experiential procession that is not necessarily the shortest distance between two points. The worshiper enters the space directly below the lit chapel. Here, she is presented with a grand stair that incorporates seating and welcomes socialization. She then passes through the perforated Ipe core and wraps around to the moment of light in the acid-etched glass chapel. The back of this axis features a rooftop garden above the priest’s rectory.

ACID ETCHED GLASS ROOF AND STRUCTURAL MULLIONS

IPE WOOD

ACID ETCHED GLASS ROOF AND STRUCTURAL MULLIONS

ACID ETCHED GLASS

IPE WOOD

FINISH FLOOR HARDBOARD

2 A204

CONCRETE SLAB

Level 2 10' - 6"

FLOOR JOISTS STEEL ANGLE ANCHOR AND PIN SLATE VENEER MOARTER NET

ACID ETCHED GLASS

RIGID INSULATION VAPOR BARRIER AND AIR GAP SHEATHING METAL STUD WEEPS FLASHING

FINISH FLOOR HARDBOARD

2 A204

CONCRETE SLAB

Level 2 10' - 6"

FLOOR JOISTS STEEL ANGLE ANCHOR AND PIN SLATE VENEER MOARTER NET RIGID INSULATION

Level 1 0' - 0"

VAPOR BARRIER AND AIR GAP SHEATHING METAL STUD WEEPS

Chapel Wall Detail 1 1/2" = 1'-0"

WALL SECTION 3 Scale

As indicated

FLASHING

A204

This sacred space challenges religious architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hold on tradition by providing a community-oriented place of worship and collaboration through an exploration of the ineffable.

Michelle McCullough 311 N 8th St #320 Lincoln, NE 68508 402.450.5506 michellee987@gmail.com