The mustard seed is such an appropriate parable that it was told three times in the Bible. As the story goes, the small, oblong seed grew into a large tree that attracted and housed a plethora of birds.
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG) drew inspiration from that story to design a new church in Glenview, Ill. The 72,000-sf Willow Creek North Shore is an ellipse-shaped building with a 1,200-seat auditorium, cafe, administrative offices, adult ministry spaces, educational classrooms, and other gathering points. Two spacious main entrances are connected to lobbies and circulation paths.
“What was most important in the conceptual design of this building was to create a welcoming feeling and a diagram that was clear and understandable for both the first-time visitor as well as those who attend on a regular basis,” AS+GG Design Partner Adrian Smith said in a statement. “The gentle curve of the circulation paths allow occupants to flow through the space, while enjoying views of the outside.”
The building is elevated 5-8 feet from its original grade, which creates a plateau with sights of the retention pond and the surrounding community.
Floor-to-ceiling windows will be installed to draw in natural light and face toward two landscaped courtyards, which can hold weddings, funerals, and other events.
Construction began in June 2015, and the church is expected to open in the fall of this year.
Along with AS+GG, Architecture, the project team was comprised of Glenn H. Johnson Construction Co. (contractor), Forefront Structural Engineers (structural engineering), and Heager Engineering (civil engineering).
Photo: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. Click photo to enlarge.
Photo: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. Click photo to enlarge.
Related Stories
| Aug 4, 2014
Jean Nouvel commissioned to design Islam Museum next to WTC
El-Gamal's plans has been dubbed controversial by many industry professionals.
| Jul 28, 2014
Reconstruction market benefits from improving economy, new technology [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Following years of fairly lackluster demand for commercial property remodeling, reconstruction revenue is improving, according to the 2014 Giants 300 report.
| Jul 28, 2014
Reconstruction Sector Construction Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Structure Tone, Turner, and Gilbane top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest reconstruction contractor and construction management firms in the U.S.
| Jul 28, 2014
Reconstruction Sector Engineering Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Jacobs, URS, and Wiss, Janney, Elstner top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest reconstruction engineering and engineering/architecture firms in the U.S.
| Jul 28, 2014
Reconstruction Sector Architecture Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Stantec, HDR, and HOK top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest reconstruction architecture and architecture/engineering firms in the U.S.
| Jul 23, 2014
Architecture Billings Index up nearly a point in June
AIA reported the June ABI score was 53.5, up from a mark of 52.6 in May.
| Jul 21, 2014
Economists ponder uneven recovery, weigh benefits of big infrastructure [2014 Giants 300 Report]
According to expert forecasters, multifamily projects, the Panama Canal expansion, and the petroleum industry’s “shale gale” could be saving graces for commercial AEC firms seeking growth opportunities in an economy that’s provided its share of recent disappointments.
| Jul 18, 2014
Contractors warm up to new technologies, invent new management schemes [2014 Giants 300 Report]
“UAV.” “LATISTA.” “CMST.” If BD+C Giants 300 contractors have anything to say about it, these new terms may someday be as well known as “BIM” or “LEED.” Here’s a sampling of what Giant GCs and CMs are doing by way of technological and managerial innovation.
| Jul 18, 2014
Top Construction Management Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Jacobs, Barton Malow, Hill International top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest construction management and project management firms in the United States.
| Jul 18, 2014
Top Contractors [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Turner, Whiting-Turner, Skanska top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest contractors in the United States.
