Lighthouse Christian Church
Lighthouse Church is an inner-city Wollongong church with high exposure and their request was that their industrial style building be redesigned to better reflect their mission of reaching the city with community service programs. The indicated desire of the church was to be “a church without walls to the community”.
Design Solution
Aibee Architect’s solution was to redesign the facade and public entry areas to create a much more welcoming and functional space. A substantial section of the existing brick wall facade was replaced with a glazed curtain wall, designed to promote an open feel to the building and allows passers-by to see the activities of the church in progress. This new wall includes a series of internally illuminated columns that mark the church as a contemporary meeting place.
Between the illuminated columns are a series of gently curving awnings that open outwards towards the street, and invite people into the building. These awnings are glazed with translucent polycarbonate (This project is featured on the Danpalon product website) that can be illuminated at night to provide a welcoming glow, as well as regulating sunlight during the day.
Inside, a series of hanging ceiling panels curve upwards into the foyer, in a reflection of the external awnings, and provide a smooth and welcoming transition into the building. Internal changes include creation of a foyer/gathering space with breakout meeting room and a long curved display wall, a bookshop, and a café which opens out on to the street to serve commuters travelling to and from the adjacent railway station.
