UNITED JAPANESE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Clovis, California    1993

Designed to meet the needs of two separate churches merged into one congregation, the effect of togetherness starts right at the door.  An entry canopy reaches forward to embrace incoming parishioners with an angelic sweep.  The white tubing of a steel framework becomes the bone structure of wings that gracefully float above an outdoor gathering space.  White, translucent fabric offers protection from the hot sun during the day and provides a warm, welcoming glow by night.

The scale of the church harmonizes with the surrounding residential neighborhood.  The Fellowship Hall, used as the sanctuary until a later construction phase, is located toward the back of the building to give the appearance of a completed facility and allow installation of permanent landscaping.  The semi-circular hall meets with the classroom wing at the narthex in an open angle designed to further the sense of welcome.  Classrooms each have large circular windows, both to permit entry of diffused natural light and recall the traditional Japanese symbol of the rising sun.  These are especially popular with children for sitting, climbing and lounging.  Wood framing with cement plaster exteriors and sheetrock interiors for ease of maintenance and simplicity of design are also indicative of long-held Japanese cultural values.