PRAISE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
PHASE ONE - SANCTUARY & OFFICES
SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY
Started by Korean students at Rutgers University, the congregation soon needed a permanent location to support its educational, cultural, and religious traditions. Borrowing the shoji panel imagery and the strong Korean family structure represented by the exposed columns, the cultural complex is a fitting backdrop for the rich worship and fellowship experiences within.
A three phase master plan began with the construction of a 500 seat Multi-Purpose Room, religious education classrooms, administration offices and a large lobby that is used for fellowship. A Korean-speaking congregation and the second-generation English-speaking congregation share this facility which utilizes a translucent wall and skylight system to bring glare-free day lighting into the interior. All three phases will be joined by an interior sky lit “street” that will facilitate meeting and fellowship.
Daylighting is used to create a corridor link between the Recreational Wing and the proposed Educational Wing of Praise Presbyterian Church. Since this is a Korean-American congregation, the influence and asethic of the combined cultures are used to dramatically create a corridor for the display of art, notices and for hallway conversations. The complex includes a 500 seat performance auditorium with full theatrical lighting, digital projection and sound system.
Sophisticated audio and video equipment complement both the auditorium and classroom environments. The auditorium is also used by Rutgers performing arts students for regular concerts and performances.
