Submitted by Langdon Wilson International

Accommodating 300 worshippers, this new 7,000-sq-ft facility was guided by traditional Armenian church design elements dating back to the fourth century. However, these historical precedents had to be adapted to modern building technology and governing codes. The team used simple, locally available materials that closely resembled the historic precedents. The color palette of the structural CMU and flat concrete roof tiles belongs equally in Armenia or Arizona.

Built on a site adjacent to an existing Community Center, the structure includes offices, back-of-house space and a bridal room. Site upgrades included on-site water retention, landscape and parking improvements.

Four barrel vaults intersect with the building’s conical-shaped dome, creating a series of scalloped ceiling sections with acute end points. The arches creating the barrel vaults were achieved with the use of steel stud systems suspended from the structural steel roof rather than masonry.

Owner: Western Diocese of the Armenian Church
General Contractor: Moline Construction Co.
Architect: Langdon Wilson International
Engineers: David Evans & Associates; KPFF Consulting Engineers; TMAD Taylor & Gaines
Subcontractors: Kleven Construction; Sonoran Landesign; Concrete Designs; Re-Creations; Fyffe Masonry; Encore Steel; Bold Framing; Frank Lawrence & Sons; A Touch of Glass; MGS Plumbing; HRH Contractors