Our Lady of Good Counsel
Plymouth, MI
Historically, church buildings seek to stand out in the community through soaring vertical spaces and complicated architectural details. This parish wanted a contemporary house of worship that looked at home with the natural environment and neighboring residences of this upscale community. Gently sloping earth, mature trees and wetlands comprise the natural framework that hosts this 47,000 sq ft church. Integration into the north-facing slope, which conceals the building’s lower level, allows the structure to appear smaller upon approach. Sensitivity to the surrounding residences led to a palette of brick, block and stone. Patterns of multicolored brick wrap the worship space, framing a series of window openings that provide scale and detail to the façade. Beige wirecut 8” square brick are inset with bands of 8” taupe and deep brown modular brick. Vertical recesses applied to the two-story side of the building add interest. Laying fewer, larger brick helped make the construction process more efficient and cost effective. Cavity wall construction with rigid insulation assures thermal efficiency, minimizing life cycle operational costs for the parish.