Shepherd of The Lakes Lutheran Church

The design of the sanctuary addition presented a challenging design problem. While the new building would be connected to an existing structure, the client wanted the addition to have a presence and identity appropriate to a place of contemporary worship. As with any addition it was necessary to address existing materials and scale relationships. The design also had to accommodate the constraints imposed by a limited budget. The massing of the building is derived from imagery of an open bible. Tall, northfacing clerestory windows introduce daylight into major spaces, enhancing the worship experience. The fan-shaped seating configuration wraps around the platform fostering a sense of intimacy within the congregation. The foyer/gathering space opens to the landscaped courtyard and allows the activity to spill outside in temperate weather. At night indirect lighting visible through the clerestory windows creates a symbolic beacon for the community.

Year: 2001
Location: Grayslake, Illinois
Area: 5,760 square feet

Key Features

350-seat skylit sanctuary with state of the art audio video system
30-seat contemporary and 30-seat traditional choir
foyer with up to 100 overflow seats
two multi-purpose classrooms
landscaped courtyard
designed for future expansion of the main worship space
sweeping, uplifting form of the contemporary addition is in response to the modern design of the original 1963 building

Awards

2006 Gold Metal Award, Brick Industry Association
2003 Excellence in Architecture, AIA Northeast Illinois
2003 Merit Award, Society of American Registered Architects
2002 Merit Award, Association of Licensed Architects
2002 Silver Medal Award, Illinois Indiana Masonry Institute