Emory University, Cannon Chapel, Atlanta, Georgia

The design goal was to create a contemporary architectural solution which both reflected the traditional imagery of church architecture while also blending in with the campus architecture of Emory University.

Designed in conjunction with Paul Rudolph, former dean of Architecture at Yale University, this multi-use facility is the centerpiece of the Emory School of Theology. It is used for a great variety of functions including drama performances, concerts, recitals, multi-denominational worship services and teaching of theology students. In order to accommodate these varied uses, the building was designed with a flexible seating arrangement allowing the performance area to be located where desired for the particular performance.

While the chapel can seat as many as 450 congregants, Emory wanted the space to seem full with as few as 150. The ranked pews, painted a putty color to match the concrete, thus appear to be simple walls when all worshipers sit on chairs on the chapel floor. The high pew backs also serve as protective handrails between rows with the tiers getting steeper in the higher balconies. The balcony floor includes an Upper Chapel, entrance lobby, and recording room. The chapel floor includes the Chapel, choir room, morning chapel, sacristy, storage, entrance lobby, offices and seminar rooms. The ground floor houses a kitchen, pantry, student cafe, terrace and bookstore.