Sag Harbor, New York, USA
SKOLNICK Architecture and Design Partnership rescued an Italianate and Greek Revival deconsecrated church with an adaptive reuse design that respects and complements the original architecture of this 1836 Methodist Church.
Located in Sag Harbor, a former whaling village that spans the towns of East Hampton and Southampton on Long Island, the former church is now a cultural facility that was purchased by the married artists Eric Fischl and April Gornik, who have lived in the area for decades.
The design team worked closely with the clients to devise a renovation plan that preserves many of the building’s historical elements, including the building’s tall windows and timber framing and Italianate and Greek Revival details.
“Our approach recognizes the rich history of the facility, while celebrating contemporary interventions that facilitate a transcendence of typology,” stated the architects.
Roughly rectangular in plan, the building has three levels and encompasses 12,000 square feet (1,115 square metres). The exterior was largely restored to the original specifications.
The building has a stone base, while its upper portion is a timber-framed structure with facades wrapped in white clapboard siding.
A gabled roof covers the bulk of the building. The entrance elevation features a restored belfry, including the original bell.
In the rear of the facility, the team constructed a modest, cube-shaped addition that will eventually be covered in vines. The two-story extension holds living quarters for resident artists.
Inside the converted church, one finds an open and bright space with a fluid layout.
Upon entering, visitors encounter a lofty foyer with a wide staircase leading up to the middle level.
Suspended overhead is a circular chandelier with a wreath-like appearance.
The middle level formerly held a sanctuary and now serves as a vast space for exhibitions and events.
The double-height room is surrounded by walls with exposed timber columns and beams, establishing “a compelling dialogue between past and present”. The wooden roof structure was also left exposed.
Tall, glazed apertures usher in daylight and offer a connection to the surrounding neighborhood. Mounted within the windows are portraits of notable local artists that were painted by the client, Fischl, and transferred to translucent film.
“Window and door openings around the perimeter bring ample light into space, highlighting the richness and texture of the natural materials,” the architects stated.
The three levels of the building are connected by a glass elevator, which serves as a counterpoint to “the rustic qualities found in the original wood framing”. Various staircases also connect the different levels.
The Church plans to host exhibitions, artist talks, readings, lectures, performances and educational classes.
Architects: SKOLNICK Architecture + Design Partnership
Landscape Architects: Hollander Design Landscape Architects
Client: The Church
