Project location:                            Mesa, AZ

Project type:                                  New Church and Master Plan

Area:                                               9,500 sq ft / 13 Acres

Construction Cost:                       ~$4,000,000

Harmonious Ecclesiastical Master Plan – A Tranquil Sanctuary for Spiritual Enrichment

Nestled on the outskirts of the East Valley, St. Ignatius of Antioch Orthodox Church sits on 13 acres of land. As the congregation experiences continuous growth surpassing the current capacity of the church and existing structures, a pressing need arises to meticulously plan for expansion and cater to future requirements. Thus, the primary objective became the development of a tranquil oasis through a cohesive new master plan. This comprehensive plan includes the construction of a new church, capable of accommodating around 400 worshipers, a contemplative cemetery, a meditation garden, generous parking, and provisions for future educational classes and fellowship hall.

The design vision is driven by the aspiration to fashion a peaceful and inviting desert sanctuary, distinctively set apart from the world, fostering a closer connection to the divine. The design vision, aspires to shape a peaceful and inviting desert sanctuary, distinctively set apart from the world, fostering a closer connection to God. In responding to the specific requests of the church council, the outlined vision became the guiding principle for the design, steering the development of a unified campus and an iconic landmark new church along the thoroughfare leading to Usery Mountain Regional Park and Lakes.

The envisioned campus is meticulously crafted to envelop visitors in a lush expanse of vegetation, seamlessly blending with the desert landscape. Ingeniously camouflaging the parking facilities contributes to the perception of an oasis emerging in the desert and spiritually dry world. This intentional design aims to instill a sense of peace and detachment from worldly concerns as one approaches the campus, whether by foot or vehicle, preparing the individual for a profound fellowship with the divine. The result is a harmonious space where the congregation can embark on a spiritual journey, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the sacredness of their purpose.

New Church

Adhering to a traditional early Christian layout progression, you enter the church entrance through a narthex with functions such as restrooms, a nursery room, and a confession chapel, on the sides. The baptistry, situated below ground, which symbolizes the entrance to the church body through baptism is right at the edge of the naves. The crucifix layout of the nave includes two lower volumes on the sides and a central high volume, where elevated windows allow light to infuse the space, giving a sacred sense. Moment frames, provide a modern interpretation of the traditional support system without the sight obstruction of traditional columns. The Altar behind the iconostas is the focal point of the nave. The crucifix intersection is topped with a dome on which the icon of Christ the Penetrator is written( In the Orthodox church Icons are written not painted ), and a chandelier hanging from.

The challenge of maintaining the Spanish colonial style while constructing a Byzantine church was met through strategic use of common materials. The result is an exterior that seamlessly blends Byzantine and Spanish colonial styles, employing elements such as white stucco, Spanish roof tiles, and brick-framed doors, windows, and niches, alongside Byzantine features like crosses, arches, domes, and apses. Niches with brick-framed mosaic saint icons surround the structure, evoking a sense of ascension to heaven. The exterior of the altar’s and wings’ apses is adorned with a blue mosaic, invoking a heavenly feel.

Furthermore, the unification of existing structures and the new church is achieved through a central courtyard aligned with covered walkways, serving as the heart of the campus for outdoor activities and community engagement.

In the interior, wood clad moment frames (Frame consisting of continuous columns and beams) serve as the tempo or rhythm, complemented by a wooden ceiling with cove lights, icons on niche within wood clad walls, and a wine-red carpet framed with tile. The play of light from above enhances the atmosphere, fostering a serene, sacred, and Solemn-like ambiance.

The design process was guided by active listening to the council’s requests, ensuring their vision became the north compass for the design. An integrated approach was taken, designing from both the inside out and the outside in, resulting in a cohesive campus and a landmark new church along the route to Usery Mountain Regional Park and Lakes.