Inspired by the challenges of bringing traditional ideas around worship into a contemporary architectural context, K2LD Architects looked to re-imagine the traditional church. How new and different spatial configurations could be used to preach the same gospel. The main aspirations of the church were distilled into three key points; the need for an image, environmental responsibility, and multifunctional spaces.
Photography by © Patrick Bingham Hall
In response to the need for a church to communicate to the outside community its mission through a strong image, a slatted screen innovatively unveils the cross, embodying contemporary notions of worship and fellowship. When illuminated at night, small crosses appear to almost dance across its facade, further informing the entirety of the skin as an icon for the church and community.
Furthermore, the screen facade shades the interior spaces from the tropical climate and provides needed ventilation. This allows for the main atrium space to remain open air while being afforded protection from the elements. With fluid wavelike patterns taking inspiration from the nearby sea, the slatted facade condition softly envelops the building, containing its discreet functions behind a unified front while supporting its environmental agenda. Vertical greenery is then strategically placed on the east/west facades for optimal growth in Singapore’s climate.
Photography by © Patrick Bingham Hall
The design looks to the stacking of programs and overlapping relationships they form. At the entrance, the building is lifted from the ground to allow the spaces below to flow through the first floor. This space acts as a service/car park during overflow hours and open-air event space. Often converted into a large open-air dining space, it is used to gather the congregation outside of the main worship halls for additional community programming.
Circulation is then weaved through the spaces of the building; A large staircase in the center of the first floor brings circulation and air up through an atrium formed by asymmetrical voids carved between floor plates. This allows for visual connection to be maintained across various programming areas vertically.
The main worship spaces form the heart of the building on the second and 3rd floors with the atrium feeding into it. Arranged in an auditorium style, the worship hall aims to orientate the audience to the minister, bringing its audience closer to the stage. Above on the 4th and 5th floors lie the education spaces which benefit from roof terraces and outdoor play spaces.
Photography by © Patrick Bingham Hall
Project Info:
Architects: K2LD Architects
Location: East Coast Parkway, Singapore
Area: 3953.0 sqm
Project Year: 2013
Photographs: Patrick Bingham Hall
