Renderings—Processional Journey

The East facade is one of the most viewed areas along busy Walnut St. The intentions of the site design were to break up the continuous concrete paving which exists everywhere in downtown Muncie—and replace it with permeable pavers along with pockets of green space that buffer the edges of the building nicely. It also provides green exterior views for those inside and plenty of seating options for those outside. Here the reflection pool can be seen below the large sanctuary window.

// Exterior - NE Corner Entrance ‘Public’

The first of two main entrances along the processional corridor axis—this is the ‘public’ of the two, compared to the ‘intimate’ on the NW corner. Here, oversized doors and little glazing speaks to the public and larger entrance as well as the beginning of the processional journey. You’ll notice split ramps that lead up to the doors, beginning the upward ascent to the sanctuary even at the site level. Also, here is a perfect viewpoint to see the contrast of sacred concrete vs profane concrete.

As you enter the NE public entrance, you immediately are immersed into the profane volume. The processional journey has begun. You’ll notice the texture of the board formed-pigmented concrete, the segmented ramps compressing the corridor, and the overall darker quality of light—as well as mood.

// Skylight Detail

There are a series of skylight openings or ‘slits’ throughout the processional space as well as other places in the building like the outreach program. They do allow some light in, however they visually connect you to the roof panel and wood structure many feet above you. You catch a glimpse of the bending form ascending to the sanctuary.

As you continue up the corridor, you notice various seating spaces that have been carved out of the concrete mass. These have been detailed with wood to soften the experience to sit and meditate, pray, read, or talk with others. There is also a form seeming to come through the ceiling.

// Punctured Skylight Detail

Underneath this skylight opening, you can see more clearly that it is a roof panel along with the wood structure bending into the profane space. This is another moment that shows the overhead roof, however here it presents itself more emphatically— representing the actual geometry and movement of the roof form more clearly. The daylight it brings in after noon is also notable since it is some of the most direct light in the processional space.

Further along the corridor, you see another skylight moment, however you also see it is connected to a vertical glazing slit which visually connects to the raised sanctuary— where this journey will eventually lead to. You also take note of the series of artificial lights that further the contemplative rhythm of the space, along with a window opening that is visible—which shows the depth and thickness of the concrete wall similar to the seating spaces.

// Processional Space 4—NW Entrance

At this point, you are near the end of the corridor and clearly see the other ‘intimate’ entrance. However, you know that there is a turn coming since it starts to appear along with a much brighter space in the distance which is the outreach space.

Now the intimate entrance door is more in sight along with the turn in the corridor. The journey seems to continue upward and the outreach opening further shows the sheer mass of the processional walls as it is carved out for the entrance. More skylight openings are also seen.

// Processional Space 6—Final Ascent

A curious moment unfolds after turning the corner to see further revealing of the ceiling form and structure. A vertical glazing slit gives one final glance into the sanctuary. The upward ascent also has inclined to the steepest portion at 1:12 ADA standards, prior to reaching the +6’ floor change. The larger opening to the left leads into the sanctuary while the smaller to the right leads to or from the outreach—depending on where the journey was started from.

A first glimpse into the sanctuary can be seen, however one final bend through the concrete form must be done. Noticable changes can be seen ahead.

// Processional Space 8

Here an opening to the left reveals a personal storage area. But what is up ahead is approaching quickly now—vast differences in many ways are apparent.