first presbyterian church...

location: Raleigh, NC
est. completion date: 2012
project team:
Frank Harmon
Erin Sterling, project manager
Matt Griffith
Tim Martin
David Cole
Joey Fante
Ashley Ozburn

project statement…

The First Presbyterian Church has been a part of Raleigh’s urban fabric for over a century. They are a well-established entity in Raleigh’s humanitarian outreach programs as well as an important part of the city’s community. The church has gone through several renovations and additions since its establishment in the 1880s, resulting in many buildings gathered around a parking lot that have little or no correspondence with one another. The congregation desires to update their campus to a more modern as well as practical and united design. They want their project to embody urban renewal— referring both to a design that allows the public more access to the Church and church congregation, and to the idea of renewing the city by capturing rainwater, minimizing energy usage by capturing sunlight and natural heat, and incorporating more green-scapes into their campus.

our design purpose…

The project consists of a renovation of the existing Sanctuary and adjacent spaces, the demolition of an 18,000 square foot existing Education Building and consequently the replacement of 24,000 square feet of new construction to replace the Education Building. The newly constructed Education Building will house classrooms, library, coffee barista, archives, common gathering space, atrium space, reception area, bathrooms, offices and a habitable green roof. The existing parking lot will contain a landscaped link that connects the two sides of the campus. Various other landscaping improvements are designed for the campus as well. The project embodies LEED principles in its design such as green roof, geothermal wells, rainwater collection, natural ventilation, daylighting and local materials. We and the Congregation of the First Presbyterian Church are working hard to make the renovation and addition to this historic building not only a place of worship, but of true community within our city.