Burnaby Alliance Church Annex

A dramatic, monolithic form facilitates the expansion of a growing congregation, complementing the resident neighbourhood.

The Burnaby Alliance Church Annex is a 2-storey, 13,000 sf stand-alone brick building that complements the programming of the nearby main church building and welcomes a growing congregation. Ph5’s holistic approach analyzed the social, functional, technical, economic, sustainability, and regulatory aspects of the project and developed an integrated design response that provides value to the congregation and surrounding community.

Ph5 collaborated with the congregation to develop the program and a strategy for flexible spaces that would support a diverse range of activities in a compact building. The principal space is a large multi-purpose room. The space serves as a sanctuary, auditorium for amplified and non-amplified performances, community hall, and gymnasium. Supporting spaces include a large community kitchen, flexible-use meeting rooms, lounge spaces, offices, reception, and areas specifically designed for children and youth. Intentionally designed for multiple uses, it allows diverse programming to bring people together throughout the week and supports adaptability for the future. 

The folding planes of brick respond to the site and program, addressing regulatory requirements, aesthetic considerations, and sustainability. Creating a monolithic form helped impart a sense of dignity fitting for a church and reduced the visual impact of surface parking by encompassing some parking within the building volume.

Underground parking was not economically feasible, so most of the program is on the second floor to accommodate municipal parking requirements at grade. Brick screens around the parking area accentuate the monolithic form, eliminate the need for mechanical ventilation, and create a light-dappled space that doubles as a covered outdoor play space during off-peak hours.

The asymmetrical roof ridge creates a high-volume space for the sanctuary and lower ceiling heights for the classrooms. The rising peak and front façade turn towards the intersection, distinguishing the entrance. The facades feature a mix of brick colours that provide subtle variation in colour and texture, changing in appearance from dawn to dusk.

The supplier pre-mixed the brick pallets, making the installation easy and economical. Consideration for durability and low maintenance made brick an ideal choice for the project.

Around the building, exterior surface parking stalls are defined by highly permeable concrete grid pavers, which provide sustainable on-site rainwater management and soften the appearance of the parking surface. The site design strengthens a pedestrian connection to Cariboo Hill School and Park directly behind the church. The building’s location also retains neighbourhood views from Westburnco Park to the North Shore mountains.