Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Location: Hatfield, PA
Description: New Church Facility

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, whose original building from 1913 had been modified to accommodate the Congregation’s educational spaces and Fellowship Hall, burned to the ground in January of 2011. After the fire, the only part of the facility left standing was a 1990s era brick Worship Space Wing which accommodated seating for 250 congregants and a small Administrative Office suite. GKO Architects was selected to prepare a Master Plan for the Church’s property and design a new structure to replace the program spaces destroyed by the fire. Due to its Street Frontage and critical location in the Borough of Hatfield, this project presented an important town planning opportunity. We worked closely with both the Congregation and the Borough to careful shape the building so that it would fit with the Town’s unique context.

As a method for direct design collaboration with the congregation, the Architects hosted “Vision Day,” an interactive design workshop. In a two-hour period, conceptual design ideas were created by nine different “teams” of congregants. After the initial design session, each team presented their concept(s) to the other teams. This collaborative process ultimately led to the creation of a Hybrid Design Concept, which combined the best ideas of the Congregant Teams with those of the Architects. This project is currently under Construction.

Stone Harbor Retreat Center

Location: Stone Harbor, NJ
Description: Retreat Center for the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

In the late 1930’s, one of the first buildings constructed in Stone Harbor, NJ, was a 3-story, 58,000 square foot, 250-bed Retreat Center and Convent for the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters. While the original building served the congregation for many decades, by the early 2000’s the facility had become obsolete and no longer functioned efficiently. GKO Architects was selected to design a new 2-story, 35,000 SF, 52- bed facility Retreat Center and Convent to replace the original. The new facility will feature both individual and dorm-type room accommodations, convent, 50-seat Chapel, multipurpose meeting space, and dining room. The building is arranged around an outdoor prayer garden which is anchored by a bell tower. There are many other outdoor spaces including a veranda, balconies, and a courtyard around which Stations of the Cross sculptures will be displayed.

Upper Dublin Lutheran Church

Location: Ambler, PA
Description: Narthex Expansion & New Multipurpose Facility

In contemplating its future, this growing congregation was in need of a Master Plan. GKO Architects worked closely with the Upper Dublin Lutheran Church to create a vision for their facility which would support their goals, needs, and overall mission. The Master Plan included an assessment of existing building conditions; creation of a new space program; and design options for an expansion and renovation of the existing facility. The Congregation has completed construction of the First Phase of the Master Plan, which included: additional classrooms, Fellowship Hall, Narthex expansion, upgrading the building’s electric and HVAC systems, and site-related improvements.

New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ

Location: East Greenville, PA
Description: Addition, Renovations & New Elevator Lobby

New Goshenhoppen Church presented GKO Architects with a design challenge: design a building addition that would provide an appropriate “bridge” between the existing Traditional-style Church and the existing 1950s era Modern-style Education Wing. The challenge was further defined by the Congregation’s desire to provide a barrier-free route between the two existing buildings which had off-set floor elevations. The architects met the Challenge by allowing the beautiful Historic church to stylistically stand on its own. This design approach allowed the Church to remain the visual focal point of the Facility while providing a link that did not detract from either structure.

Our Lady of the Rosary Church

Location: Coatesville, PA
Description: Lobby & Narthex Expansion for Accessibility Improvements

Our Lady of the Rosary Church is situated on a steeply sloping site. As a result, the original church was planned with Upper and Lower floors which correspond to grades at opposite ends of the building. The Parish challenged GKO Architects to provide a barrier-free vertical circulation system to alleviate the accessibility issues posed by the multi-level design. To solve this problem, we proposed a circulation tower that includes an elevator, new stair, Lower Level entry lobby which is accessible to grade and an Upper Level Narthex / Gathering Space which is accessible via the new elevator. An exterior ramp at the Lower Level provides an accessible route to the lower level parking lot. These modifications have allowed congregants to enter the Church at either Level while having access to a barrier-free interior circulation route through the Facility.

Church of St. Monica

Location: Berwyn, PA
Description: Master Plan of Parish Facilities / Design of Phase One Project

After its Parochial School was closed in 2012, the Church of St. Monica was at a crossroad in its history. In order to position the Parish for future growth, how could it adaptively reuse the school and revitalize its other buildings? A long-term vision was needed – the Parish selected GKO Architects to prepare a comprehensive Master Plan of its Facilities.

To provide a forum for discussion and collaboration, the Architects hosted an interactive planning workshop for the Congregation. Utilizing planning materials prepared by GKO, Conceptual Master Plan ideas were created by nine different “teams” of Parishioners. After the initial interactive planning session, each team presented their Master Plan Concept(s) to the other Teams. This collaborative process ultimately led to the creation of a Comprehensive Master Plan which combined the best of the Congregation’s ideas with those of the Architects. This collaborative planning process has resulted in a carefully considered “Vision of the Future” for Church of St. Monica. The Parish is currently involved in Fundraising for Phase One of its long-term vision.

St. John’s (Hains) UCC Church

Location: Wernersville, PA
Description: Master Plan / Feasibility Study

St. John’s UCC Church, built in 1766, is a beautiful historic building. As with many historic structures, the original building has been altered and expanded over time resulting in floor levels which are misaligned. This has created a non-accessible internal circulation system. In addition to this issue, parking lots have been added on the side and rear portions of the property which do not provide convenient access to an appropriately sized Main Entry / Gathering Space.

To resolve these issues, the Church selected GKO Architects to prepare a Master Plan / Feasibility Study. We worked closely with the Church’s Building Committee to develop a Master Plan for the Facility which could be phased over time; this approach helped to make the corrections affordable. Phase One includes the installation of a New “Trellis-Style” Entry Canopy which features a Glass Roof, a new Gathering Space (which has been situated with convenient access to the Main Parking Area), and a new Elevator which provides accessibility to the Worship Space, Chapel, and Basement Fellowship Hall areas. Phase Two will include a second elevator which will provide accessibility to the remaining parts of the building.