WFX Awards » Solomon Awards » Best Church Design Renovation (1 - 800 seats) » Best Church Architect (1 - 800 seats)

Nominee: Visioneering Studios

Project: Stapleton Fellowship Church

URL: www.visioneeringstudios.com
          www.stapletonchurch.com

Size: 1-300 seats

Date Completed: 17-Apr-11

Description:

Denver’s former international airport has been redeveloped into the New Urban community of Stapleton. While the redevelopment of the 4,700 acre urban infill site (the nation’s largest) is considered exemplary for its environmental sustainability, mixed-use, and transit orientation, one key element was missing. The “missionaries” of Stapleton Fellowship Church decided to relocate from Cherry Creek to this “greyfield” of opportunity. No sites or parcels were set aside for a church to serve the planned 30,000 residents. Visioneering was called into to look at “out of the box” solutions to integrate the church into the fabric of the community. They initially looked at converting an empty big-box retail space in one of the strip shopping centers, but when that deal fell through they found one of the most unique sites ever to be considered for use as a church.

Hanger 61 was built in 1959 is a unique thin-shelled, diamond-shaped concrete structure that spans 160 feet without any intermediate columns and is designated a Denver landmark and is on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties.  The barrel vault is thirty-three feet high at its apex and was originally built to house the private plane for a prominent Denver family.

Because of the historic designation the exterior of the structure could not be modified in any significant manner, and because the thin-shelled concrete structure was not designed to support any additional weight hung from the roof all of the new interior structural changes had to be supported independently.  The floor plan for the adaptive reuse included a 300-seat auditorium, a “Sky Lounge” loft, the “Concourse” (lobby), nursery and preschool area on the main level, and a new mezzanine level with administrative offices, and “Elevate Kids” (elementary age ministry environments.)

Despite a minimal budget, Visioneering’s design embraces the story of the site as well as the “Jetsonian” architectural vibe of the previously dilapidated structure. The church’s unique mission of being a “departure” gate for the eternal “journey” of fellow travelers became the “Big Idea” behind Visioneering’s design intervention. Materials are simple and include unfinished concrete block walls, sealed concrete floors and bold color accent walls in the children’s areas.  Exposed spiral ductwork, strategically placed “glowing” light clouds, reclaimed aeronautic artifacts, environmental graphics, and signage resembling aluminum airplane wings enhance the “flight” theme of the hangar creating one-of-a-kind ministry environments.

During opening weekend, Hanger 51 became a “must-see” stop along a citywide Mid-Century Modernist architectural open house tour and has become the premier example of redemption of space on the former Stapleton International Airport site.