URBAN WORSHIP CENTER

Dallas, Texas

One of the oldest churches in downtown Dallas has been in operation since the late 1800’s, undergoing multiple periods of growth and change. In 2008 the congregation took steps to embark on a major overhaul of its campus, building new facilities for worship, education, and public use.

Existing buildings were in decline and unusable for the needs of weekly services and daily community programs. An entire city block was cleared to make way for the new campus. It was required that the new facility seamlessly connect the new Worship and Education buildings to the existing 19th century historical sanctuary and a multi-purpose building completed within the last decade. The church also wanted to take the opportunity to create a unique public space and garden that would integrate into the recent emergence of new downtown Dallas parks.

The conceptual strategy creates an urban pocket carved into the city block, simultaneously connecting major program elements with a single sweeping gesture composed of large expanses of north facing glass. This form is raised to the Piano Nobile, providing a pedestrian connection between the east and west sides of the block through a public garden at street level.