Marble Collegiate Church, built in 1854 on a dirt road, is now surrounded by a densely populated Manhattan neighborhood. Gaining national recognition during the 52-year tenure of Norman Vincent Peale, the Romanesque Revival landmark still serves more than 2,200 congregants, plus a vast broadcast audience via TV, radio, Internet streaming, and podcasts.
In 1999, church leaders, under the guidance of the late Senior Minister Arthur Caliandro, began discussing a long-range building plan. Priorities included consolidating worship spaces, which had become dispersed between the sanctuary and adjacent “Middle Building”; repairing the roof and the sanctuary ceiling; adding an underground chapel; building a permanent contemplative labyrinth to replace a temporary canvas version; making all facilities accessible; and gaining city approval for public assemblies in the refurbished sanctuary and community room. (Check out more BD+C coverage of religious facilities construction.)
Helpern Architects and Structure Tone (CM) led the Building Team in a multi-phase project, completed between 2011 and 2013. Due to the extensiveness of the roof and ceiling repairs, the team installed a motorized interior scaffold that could be expanded during the week and retracted for weekend worship.
The roof structure of the Marble Collegiate Church was stabilized with steel trusses sistered alongside the timber originals, which now only need to support the ceiling. City-approved synthetic slate replaced deteriorated asphalt roofing, and the ceiling’s plaster and paintings were restored.
An underground level that formerly housed a multipurpose room was re-excavated and reorganized, making space for a stepped, 70-seat chapel, an enlarged, 300-sf columbarium, and a 1,600-sf multi-purpose space, with a 30-foot-diameter labyrinth embedded in the terrazzo floor. A much-needed elevator and lift, and updated HVAC, electrical, IT, and life safety infrastructure, were important aspects of the project. Modern broadcasting equipment was added to support ongoing outreach.
Dr. Peale was famous for his belief in the Power of Positive Thinking. The congregation’s vision—and the conscientious, creative work of the Building Team—have produced a restoration that exemplifies the bold optimism of “America’s hometown church.”
MARBLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH
New York, N.Y.Building TeamSubmitting firms: Helpern Architects (architect) and Structure Tone (CM)Owner: Collegiate Church CorporationOwner’s representative: Seamus Henchy & AssociatesSE: Robert Silman AssociatesMEP/FP engineer: URS CorporationGeotechnical consultant: Langan Engineering & Environmental ServicesAcoustical consultant: Shen Milsom & WilkeGeneral InformationSize: 26,070 sf (expanded size)Construction cost: Confidential, at owner’s requestConstruction time: January 2011 to January 2013Delivery method: CM at risk
To keep the sanctuary operational during extensive roof and ceiling repairs, the Building Team designed a motorized scaffold system. The structure rolled through the sanctuary during the week and was retracted on weekends for worship. Stained glass windows were protected by plywood screens, covered with life-sized images of the windows printed on stretched canvas.
Related Stories
| Dec 10, 2014
International Olympic Committee releases first images of new HQ in Switzerland
Designed by 3XN, the new headquarters is located within a park on the shores of Lake Geneva and adjacent to historic Château de Vidy, which has been the iconic home of the IOC.
| Dec 10, 2014
CannonDesign acquires Astorino, forms design-led design-build division
The merger also extends CannonDesign’s presence in the markets Astorino currently serves, namely Pittsburgh and Abu Dhabi.
| Dec 9, 2014
Steven Holl wins Mumbai City Museum competition with 'solar water' scheme
Steven Holl's design for the new wing features a reflective pool that will generate energy.
| Dec 9, 2014
ABC economist predicts continued construction industry growth in 2015
In his latest report, ABC's Chief Economist Anirban Basu forecasts nonresidential construction spending to expand by roughly 7.5% next year, led by the power, lodging, office, and manufacturing sectors.
| Dec 8, 2014
How brick and mortar enables online retail
According to a shopping preferences study conducted by A.T. Kearney, as many as two-thirds of shoppers go to a physical store before or after making an online purchase, writes Gensler's Jill Nickels.
| Dec 8, 2014
The year’s boldest BIM/VDC themes
High-speed rendering software, custom APIs, virtual reality tools, and BIM workflow tips were among the hottest BIM/VDC topics in 2014.
| Dec 8, 2014
AEC firms upbeat about financial results, 2015 looking rosier [exclusive BD+C survey]
The market outlook is brighter for U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction companies, with a majority of AEC firms reporting higher revenues, strong forecasts, and sound financial health, according to BD+C's annual Market Forecast Survey.
| Dec 8, 2014
The global sanitation crisis leads to 2.5 million deaths every year
When we see the incredible technology being produced by global plumbing manufacturers, it’s hard to conceive why no viable technical solution to the global sanitation issue has come forth, writes BD+C's Robert Cassidy.
| Dec 8, 2014
Moshe Safdie wants to reinvent airports with Jewel Changi Airport addition
A new addition to Singapore's Changi Airport, designed by Moshe Safdie, will feature a waterfall and extensive indoor gardens.
