Epiphany Episcopal Church Narthex Expansion
LOCATION:
Timonium, MD
OWNER:
Epiphany Episcopal Church
SERVICES:
Architectural design, code analysis, construction documents and specifications, permitting, construction administration
With its main entrance at one end and a window wall at the far opposite end, the existing narthex at Epiphany Episcopal Church was long, narrow and poorly lit, and too small to accommodate worshippers gathering for the traditional coffee hour following the Sunday morning service. Two sets of solid wood doors provided access to the sanctuary, and on the opposite wall, doors led to a common room used for meetings and as a private area for families during weddings and funerals. Arch Tech opened up the wall between the common room and the narthex, removing existing casework and approximately 18 linear feet of wall to create a more visually connected space. This offered the added benefit of admitting daylight from the common room windows into the narthex. Custom track-mounted folding wood doors were installed so the common room can still be closed off for meetings and privacy. Finally, the solid wood doors leading to the sanctuary were replaced with full glass doors, allowing the natural light spilling into the narthex from the common room windows to illuminate the interior of the church.
Arch Tech designed the expansion of the narthex at Epiphany Episcopal Church in order to create a more open, welcoming and functional space for the first area churchgoers enter when attending services. The renovations resulted in more room and much better daylighting of the space, leading to increased attendance at services and social functions. All church programs and services continued while work was being done.
