St. Matthews Redevelopment

Spurred by an aging sanctuary and a mission of community service, St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church embarked upon a redevelopment of its urban site in southwest Washington, DC.

A new 11-story, L-shaped residential building combines with a new sanctuary and community center, as well as two levels of below-grade parking.  A shared courtyard complements the building forms with a landscape design similar to those found throughout the neighborhood. The design of the tower draws upon the predominantly rectilinear aesthetic of the surrounding context, counterpointed by the streamlined curve of the ecclesiastical building.  Articulated in stone, the sweeping wall shelters the sanctuary within both visually and acoustically.  A continuous skylit slot illuminates the interior with diffuse daylighting.