Gora/McGahey was commissioned by Zion Lutheran Church to create a long term master plan, utilizing their 16-acre property on Winkler Road near Gladiolus. The congregation was comprised largely of retirement-age couples. They were in the midst of expanding their youth programs as well as increasing their year-round membership. Growth during the winter/spring season has caused the congregation to hold two and sometimes three services on Sunday. As all programs grew, support spaces needed to grow with them
Gora/McGahey planners interviewed representatives of every aspect of the church community to determine the functional and space needs now and well into the future.
We created a master plan based on well thought out individual building designs, pedestrian connectors, vehicular circulation, convenience, and flexibility. This resulted in a roadmap for future development which will include a sports-oriented fellowship hall, a playground, a communal courtyard, and a 1,500-seat sanctuary. The Phase I building, including administration building, classrooms and childcare, opened in 2006. It includes a new narthex connection to the mall of the administration building and the administrative offices. This 39,360 square-foot building was designed to embrace the architecture of the existing campus buildings, including pointed, angular arches, long a signature element of the church.