AWARD FOR RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE: RESTORATION
The First Church of Christ Scientist, Boston
Finegold Alexander Architects + Simpson Gumpertz & Heger( SGH) || Boston, MA
Finegold Alexander Architects | Raj Das Photography
The Mother Church anchors the 13.5-acre Christian Science Plaza, the largest privately owned, publicly accessible open space in Boston. The complex comprises two landmarked edifices: the Romanesque Revival Original Church, built in 1894, and the Neoclassical domed extension, completed in 1906. Together, they reflect the rapid growth of the Christian Science movement and distinct architectural traditions.
Over time, water infiltration, freeze-thaw damage, and aging building systems compromised the historic stone, terra-cotta, Guastavino tile, and interior finishes, while limited accessibility and code deficiencies challenged public use. The restoration addressed systemic envelope failures at domes, roofs, balustrades, and facades, while upgrading electrical, life safety, and accessibility systems and conserving historic interiors.
Improvements include a new accessible entrance, a centrally located elevator, and an accessible reader’ s platform, providing multiple barrier-free paths throughout the complex. This eight-year, multi-phased project combines innovative engineering, understated design interventions, and traditional craftsmanship to preserve the church’ s architectural character, extend its service life, and support its ongoing role as a place of worship.
JURY COMMENTS: A restorationist’ s dream, this multi-phase project was systematic and truly comprehensive— top to bottom, inside and out. Few clients or budgets can support this kind of advanced and uncompromising level of architectural restoration. The resplendence of the Mother Church is back. The building is also more accessible, watertight, and safer than it ever was in the past.
AWARD FOR RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE: SACRED LANDSCAPE
Marian Gardens at Christ Cathedral
Domusstudio Architecture || Garden Grove, CA
The Marian Gardens are a series of four exterior passive prayer spaces that are reflective of the Sacred Mysteries of the New Testament. Each of the spaces embodies the attributes of the selected Gospel verses, reflecting Mary’ s experiences of the life of Jesus. The gardens are located on the grounds of Christ Cathedral, the home of the Catholic Diocese of Orange. This site was previously the Crystal Cathedral campus for the Rev. Robert Schuller. The intent is for individuals to quietly pass through the gardens and pray the Rosary.
There are four individual gardens, designed to reflect the Sacred Mysteries: Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious. There is an additional Garden of Gethsemane that offers a passive and prayerful respite for campus visitors. The garden experiences are created using architectural concrete, trellises, colorful landscaping, and dramatic lighting, all to uniquely tailor the experiences for each garden. There is liturgical artwork in each as well, to describe each of Mary’ s encounters through the life of Jesus. A scripted pathway takes visitors through the garden that is seeded with colorful glass, reflective of the mood and emotion of each set of messages.
Brady Architectural Photography
JURY COMMENTS: This landscape presents a rich set of ideas rendered with aesthetic sensitivity and detail. The programming of the landscape is generous, providing several different kinds of contemplative spaces that one might use to connect with the life of Mary or with oneself. It was easy to imagine one using this landscape and how the materials, colors, form, and scale of the design complements Johnson / Burgee’ s famous glass church for Robert Schuller.
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