9.20.24 | DIGS.NET 47
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P R O F I L E | O L S O N K U N D I G
In a dense neighborhood in
downtown Seattle, Gethsemane
Lutheran Church—a 62,135-square-
foot sanctuary with a mid-century
facade—is ecstatic in its light and
design. Along with helming the
remodel of the building's exterior
and the church's main sanctuary,
prominent Pacific Northwest
design practice Olson Kundig also
designed the chapel, garden and
Parish Life Center. The firm used
color and glass to communicate the
church's mission while establishing
a clear identity for a building.
That color is a main protagonist
of the project is a fitting tribute
to a typology known for its vivid
ecclesiastical scenes in time-
honored stained glass. In this case,
"The colored metal and glass bands
are intended to weave together the
various building parts—sacred
spaces and church facilities,
with housing and social services
above—into a visual tapestry,"
says Jim Olson, FAIA, principal/
owner of Olson Kundig. "The
concept is a bit like a large woven
basket, gathering and connecting
people together as religion often
does. The wash of color across
the interior when the sun shines
through the glass is a similar effect
to traditional stained glass, but
much more transparent and open
to the city." With warm tones of the
chapel's handcrafted glass windows
casting a quiet natural light onto the
street, a small meditation garden
adjoins the chapel and fellowship
hall, "balancing openness with
outreach," as the practice puts
it. The result is something quite
vibrant for a place we thought we
knew: a modern design that breaks
with tradition while honoring it too.
olsonkundig.com
