WINNER of a 2016 AIA ST. LOUIS AWARD CITATION
After a two year design process evaluating multiple sites and various construction types, CORE10 completed drawings of a new facility for this growing Kirkwood church. The original direction was to renovate an existing retail store into a new church. After performing a space planning study, CORE10 determined that a new building would be a more economical approach, and then proceeded to help the church find a vacant lot in Kirkwood.
Designed to facilitate a young congregation in a traditional community, this new building reflects the charm and character of the surrounding architecture with a clean, modern palate that matches the vibrancy of the congregation within. The inviting building reaches out with provisions for hosting many community events as part of Kirkwood Road to serve multiple uses beyond Sundays.
“The architects created a fellowship courtyard at Greentree Community Church to support the church’s mission of reaching out to the neighborhood.
The entrance porch, sanctuary, fellowship hall, and courtyard form an ensemble that invites visitors in from the street and forms a friendly stage for church and community events.”
The design is organized around a strong east-west axis with the altar cross at the head, connecting the worship stage and preaching platform, through the congregational seating, to the sanctuary’s back glass wall.
The axis continues through a large porch and outdoor Fellowship Park to the west entrance road. This axis serves to orient all rooms within the building and is a physical representation of the central mission of connecting the gospel message to the community beyond.
The new 26,000 square foot facility on two levels houses a 420 seat worship center which can be subdivided at the transepts with movable walls to allow for flexible classroom space or a more intimate 250 seat chapel.
Main Level
Lower Level
The lower level houses all family ministry functions, dedicating 14,000 square feet to nursery, early childhood classes, and teens. With the flexible sanctuary space, separated classroom level and the 8,000 square foot outdoor Fellowship Park, the building fully carries out the church’s mission with provisions for hosting many community events to serve multiple uses beyond Sundays.