Divine Inspiration
455 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT
The First Church of Christ Scientist was built in 1935 by local parishioners of Norwalk, CT. After gradually falling into disuse, it was sold and converted to an oriental rug store. Our client Alexandra Korry, a civil rights activist and lawyer, recognized the property’s potential to once again be reimagined. Alexandra wanted to establish a free hub for the arts; promoting under-represented local artists, enhancing educational opportunities for under-served students, and providing the public a welcoming space to enjoy art and music. Alexandra was drawn to this site because of its central location and proximity to the Stepping Stones Museum. Our challenge then became to breathe new life into this underutilized building and site.
To realize a vision of symbiotic uses, the program included: resident artists’ studios, an art gallery to exhibit theirs and others’ works, a classroom where resident artists would teach, and a café serving both as an amenity to the facility and the neighborhood.
The building, positioned dominantly on a corner, aims to encourage neighborhood engagement with a public sculpture garden reaching out into the urban fabric. Further, in conjunction with facilitating the programmatic requirements, the antiquated building systems needed be addressed, such as: lack of building cooling systems, presence of non-energy efficient lighting and heating systems, deficient electrical and plumbing systems, and lastly the lack of accessibility to the various levels and proposed function areas.
Our aim was to accommodate the program and systematic upgrades while maintaining the ethereal qualities of the building. We focused on accentuating the inherent qualities of the church with touches of modernity to produce a project exuding authenticity. Maintaining its link to the past while underpinning its new role thereby fostering a comfortable and welcoming space.
The renovation accessibly links the program elements internally, reinforcing the building’s intrinsic qualities, yet each maintains unique identity and functionality through defined entrances.
The Gallery is entered via a celebrated grand stair, doubling as a mini amphitheater within the plaza. The reconfiguration of the existing side service entrance into a secondary entrance to the café ornamented by a new forward-looking stair and the provision of a vertical lift provided connectivity and accessibility to each of the three program area levels; gallery, café, classroom and studios. The classroom is also accessible directly from the small parking lot to the North. Embracing each of the building’s entrances, the landscape architects further reinforced urban connectivity while creating a sustainable setting for sculpture and meditation that was visually and physically inviting.
Sadly, Alexandra passed before construction was completed but her ambitions were realized. The formerly abandoned church building has been reactivated, once again engaging and inspiring its community thanks to Alexandra’s philanthropy and the design team’s collaboration efforts, creativity, and attention to detail. Four resident artists have been provided studios in exchange they host art classes for the community’s children free of charge.
Connecticut Preservation has awarded the 455 West Ave project with a 2022 Award of Merit in recognition of the inspired repurposing of the historic First Church of Christ Scientist into a free hub for the arts and education, contributing to the life and vitality of the Norwalk, Connecticut community.
The Norwalk Art Space’s team has tirelessly outreached to the community resulting in a wealth of in demand art classes offered to include: acrylic painting, mixed media, collage, drawing and sculpture. In addition, Jazz classes hosted by the center’s musical Director also widely attract community participation. And yet another remarkable community asset offered within the facility is the dynamic café run by Bill Taibe of The Whelk, Kawa Ni and Don Memo fame which looks out over the gallery and has already hosted several exhibitions. The establishment of the Norwalk Art Space was a collective accomplishment, in which a former church was converted into a vibrant community art hub which now serves as both a physical and symbolic manifestation of ambition, community outreach, artistic expression and inspiration for all.
