North Presbyterian Church | SILO AR+D

Cleveland / United States / 2013

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8 Love 2,526 Visits Published

North Presbyterian Church houses a unique congregation in urban Cleveland. With dwindling or relocated congregations, urban churches from a variety of denominations (including Presbyterian) are being closed and decommissioned at a staggering rate within Cleveland’s urban core. With a congregation from diverse socioeconomic and spiritual backgrounds, North Church has fought to continue its ministry within the blighted neighborhood it calls home. To sustain its ministry, North Church made the choice to move out of its over-sized and costly to maintain historic building. The congregation functions on a shoestring budget funded largely by donations from partner churches, thus the new facility had to be extremely low cost to build, operate, and maintain.


The site for the new North Church is an existing abandoned industrial warehouse building where the church is strategically collocated with a series of affiliated nonprofit social organizations. North Church desired to have a unique, distinguishable, and inviting image within the larger complex. Spatial limitations in the existing building meant the sanctuary was required to be shared space with all tenants providing large meeting and assembly spaces divisible by movable partitions.


The architecture capitalizes on the multi-purpose function of the sanctuary to enhance the spatial qualities that characterize sacred worship space (symmetry, volume, indirect natural light). Conceived as a hybrid canopy/cathedral, the ceiling surface undulates to create a series of vaults that maximize the spatial volume available while simultaneously concealing the appearance of hardware and headers required for the movable partitions. Clad in a durable bamboo resin material used in the construction of skate board parks, the faceted ceiling panels are subdivided into an animated triangular pattern that accommodates lighting, HVAC, and sprinkler systems. To maximize material economy and fabrication, a limited amount of triangular tile shapes repeat in a variety of patterns throughout. Reflective colored panels are introduced that echo the stained glass windows from the church’s former home. 


Out of necessity as much as desire, an ethic of resourcefulness is central to project’s design and location. The limitations of the project scope and budget meant sustainable innovations must be fundamental rather than superfluous to the design strategy. The site was selected because of the church’s ability to collectively share services and infrastructure with another nonprofit organization under one roof, from common restrooms to a commercial kitchen used to serve weekly meals to homeless and needy in the community.


Overall, the design aims to create the maximum effect with modest means. The existing building is salvaged and retained as much of as possible including structure, infrastructure, and flooring. Existing concrete floors are patched and sealed while existing structure was left exposed and painted in public spaces throughout. The most significant new design element of the space, the interior/exterior ceiling canopy, undulates to accommodate existing structure and infrastructure, including main sprinkler piping. Additionally, the ceiling was conceived as primarily finished with a resilient cladding (made of 100% post-consumer recycled paper and a clear, 100% water-based resin system that utilizes cashew nut shells) typically used in the construction of skateboard ramps. Ultimately, rather than modify the existing building to suit the desires of an idealized design, the design of North Presbyterian Church adapts to the existing environment, capitalizing on its resources and qualities, resulting in a more aesthetically unique and sustainable space. 


Carbon reduction strategies for the project include: low energy consumption lighting, skylights and fenestration management for day-lighting, and energy efficient heating and cooling systems.  LEED certification is pending at this time.


As referenced from the EPA Energy Star Target Finder and Architecture 2030 Challenge Targets, the following goals for the project were established:


a Predicted EUI excluding on site renewable energy contribution: 75 kBtu/sf/yr


b Predicted EUI including on site renewable energy contribution without carbon offsets: 75 kBtu/sf/yr


c Predicted (%) regional energy reduction: 60%


When considering possible sites for the project, it was critical that church find a new location within its current neighborhood, where the church’s parishioners primarily reside. Although the fifty parking spaces required by Cleveland’s zoning code are provided on an existing parking lot located on the opposite side of Superior Avenue, the majority of the church’s congregation either walks or uses mass transit to attend meals and services at North Presbyterian Church. Superior Avenue is a major transit thoroughfare in Cleveland, and five bus stops are within 2 blocks of the site.  


The Walkscore rating for this site is 63.


Although plumbing and site work were not included in the scope of this project, a number of features in the facility promote sustainable water use and storm water management. Restrooms and kitchens are equipped with low flow plumbing fixtures while landscaping and a small parking area adjacent is paved with permeable paving to minimize the burden on the existing storm sewer system.


Although plumbing and site work were not included in the scope of North Church, a number of features in the facility which North Church shares were included as components of the project LEED Certification to promote sustainable water use and assist with storm water management. Restrooms and kitchens are equipped with low flow plumbing fixtures while landscaping and a small parking area adjacent is paved with permeable paving to minimize the burden on the existing storm sewer system.


Materials throughout the project were not only selected for their recycled content and positive impact on indoor quality, but were designed to be installed in a manner that would reduce waste during construction. In public spaces, hard surfaces such as sealed and honed concrete floors and walls of either resilient cladding or Homasote are used throughout. In back of the house offices and meeting areas, Homasote walls are again introduced and low VOC carpet tile from Interface floor are used throughout. Additionally, low VOC coatings and adhesives are used throughout the project.


The pattern developed for the ceiling represents innovative uses of material economy and construction techniques. The ambition was to create the effect of a non-repeating and visual complex pattern using standard modules. Pattern modules were developed to maximize efficiency when cut from standard sheets during fabrication. Panels were pre-fabricated off site using CNC routing in files extracted from the Architect’s 3D Model. To allow for imperfect field conditions, contractors were permitted to make ad hoc adjustments to the pattern, to utilize any and all left over pieces to minimize waste.


Materials throughout the project were not only selected for their recycled content and positive impact on indoor quality, but were designed to be installed in a manner that would reduce waste during construction. In public spaces, hard surfaces such as sealed and honed concrete floors and walls of either resilient cladding or Homasote are used specifically within North Church, but also in significant areas and spaces throughout the larger project. Within the North Church sanctuary space the primary material pallet is Homasote, recycled concrete floors, and bamboo resin surfacing material; in the back of the house offices and meeting areas Homasote walls are again introduced and low VOC carpet tile from Interface floor are used throughout. Additionally, low VOC coatings and adhesives are used throughout the project.


The pattern developed for the ceiling represents an innovative use of material economy and construction techniques. The ambition was to create the effect of a non-repeating and visual complex pattern using standard modules. Pattern modules were developed to maximize efficiency when cut from standard sheets during fabrication. Panels were pre-fabricated off site using CNC routing in files extracted from the Architect’s 3D Model. To allow for imperfect field conditions, contractors were permitted to make ad hoc adjustments to the pattern, to utilize any and all left over pieces to minimize waste.


 

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    North Presbyterian Church houses a unique congregation in urban Cleveland. With dwindling or relocated congregations, urban churches from a variety of denominations (including Presbyterian) are being closed and decommissioned at a staggering rate within Cleveland’s urban core. With a congregation from diverse socioeconomic and spiritual backgrounds, North Church has fought to continue its ministry within the blighted neighborhood it calls home. To sustain its ministry, North Church made...

    Project details
    • Year 2013
    • Work finished in 2013
    • Cost $40 per square foot
    • Status Completed works
    • Type Churches / Adaptive reuse of industrial sites / Interior Design / Lighting Design
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