
SDA Morija Church
The Morija Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church project involved a full gut renovation and an addition of three new floors to the existing structure in return for air-rights transfer to the adjacent development. The design included a new exterior facade and the interiors of the 12,000 square foot renovated space. The facade used some of the existing wall openings of the old structure and introduces Christian symbolic motifs in lieu of a literal cross. The limestone pre-cast, metal panels and large window opening on the facade introduce a new modern look for the building. HC accessibility, egress, security and varied programmatic functions were also addressed. The newly renovated church with steel columns and poured concrete over metal deck has a new elevator, music room, classrooms, fellowship / reception hall (PA filing), offices, bathrooms and kitchen to service a large number of people. This project is part of the South Harlem urban design where GF55 designed seven buildings on two adjacent city blocks.