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SAINT GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
The form of the church was dictated by the form of the Greek liturgy. For its sacred and dramatic impact, this demanded a nave that was in effect a wide open stage. It is reserved for the public moment of the mass by the priesthood.
The design of the church is a domed Christian centralized plan. It is a square within a rectangle that is itself a square. The semi-spherical, 34-foot diameter dome rises to 56 feet and is penetrated by 24 windows and topped with a four-foot tall cross. It rests on a steel frame, which rests on four cross-shaped 12-inch concrete masonry walls. The domed roofs are patina colored copper and the sloping roofs are red clay mission tile.
This sanctuary is 10,107 square feet with a total seating capacity in the nave and transepts of 385 people. Solid grouted, steel reinforced split-faced and precision white concrete masonry units in 8-inch and 12-inch thickness are utilized throughout the structure creating radial transept forms with a 16-foot radius that are juxtaposed with the radial roof forms for the nave doors. To the rear of the structure the apse’s 10-foot radial form defines the altar within.
The primary lateral force resisting system consists of orthogonal 12-inch wide concrete masonry shear walls symmetrically located near each building corner. The column-free steel framed roof connects to the orthogonal shear walls, providing a logical load path for distribution of seismic forces. Dramatic arched wall openings were creatively designed and constructed with custom-cut concrete masonry block.
Continuous special inspection and material testing were implemented to insure quality construction that would endure for decades.
ARCHITECT:
Grillias
. Pirc . Rosier . Alves
15707 Rockfield Blvd., Suite 300
Irvine, CA 92618
Sam
Grillias, AIA-E
Principal
STRUCTURAL
ENGINEER:
KNA Structural Engineering Consultants
GENERAL
CONTRACTOR:
Norse Construction
OWNER:
Saint George Greek Orthodox Church
