Projects
Wooded Worship
Inclusive. It’s a principal that embodies Unitarian Universalism. So when the Unitarian Fellowship of Storrs, Connecticut hired us to help them grow their facility, we wanted to give them an inclusive solution — a space that would welcome strollers and wheelchairs and where Sunday services, seders and club meetings could all be held with ease.
Our explorations revealed that the fellowship’s existing building was too small. On Sundays, the worship space felt cramped and the split-level design made getting into the building without navigating stairs impossible. Surveys of the membership revealed that renovating the current space - or even adding on to it - wouldn't fix these shortcomings. A new building was needed.
A spirit of inclusiveness defines the new building. The space has no columns — not just as a symbolic gesture, but because a large open space allows the fellowship to rearrange or remove the furniture in order to host a variety of events. A 360-degree ring of clerestory windows lets in light and views of the surrounding woods. Like Unitarian belief, the supporting structure borrows from a variety of traditions, mixing a classic timber frame with lightweight cable stays.
The existing church building wasn’t wasted. We recycled it into classrooms, administrative space and storage.
