Lineweight Studio

adaptive reuse architecture |  atlanta, ga


Grace Midtown Sanctuary

English Avenue, Atlanta, GA
Completed 2019

Awards
 2021 CNU Charter Award
2021 UDC Design of Excellence Award

Publications
CNU Public Square, April 2021
 Medium.com, July 2019
completed at Kronberg Urbanists + Architects

The creation of Grace Midtown Church Sanctuary required the conversion of an existing 18,000 square foot warehouse into a flexible auditorium space with seating for 1,000 guests, along with a small cafe area and administrative offices. The expansive asphalt parking lot was transformed into a lush courtyard event space surrounded on three sides by covered open air patios. 

Converting the wide, dark warehouse space into a bright and airy auditorium space was a tall order. The design solution involved raising the roof of the warehouse to create three walls of high clerestory windows that flood the space with natural light and provide much needed height to the space. Custom steel trusses were used to clear span the entire space, allowing for a completely unobstructed floor plan and maximum flexibility for reconfiguring the space. To create a seamless transition from the auditorium space to the outdoor courtyard, multiple large garage doors open directly out onto patios shaded by new canopies that utilize steel bar joists salvaged from the demolished warehouse roof.

The project is a case study in the power of adaptive reuse: an underutilized industrial building and its sprawling ashpalt parking lot were transformed into an inviting gathering space. The reimagination of the parking lot is particularly impactful: existing stormwater runoff challenges were addressed through the introduction of pervious greenspace; new greenery provides shade; connectivity to the Atlanta Beltline - an eleventh hour addition to the project - enables access to the property via non-car means.

The project was recognized by a 2021 Charter Award from the Congress for the New Urbanism and a 2021 Design of Excellence Award from the Atlanta Urban Design Commission.

Project team: Grace Midtown Church (client), Kronberg Urbanists + Architects (architecture + interior design), Derucki Construction (general contractor), Core Project Management (client rep), Stability Engineering (structural), Proficient Engineering (MEP), Flippo Civil (civil engineering), Sylvatica Studio (landscape design concept), Scapes (landscape execution), Acustica Audio (acoustic engineering)


︎ Fredrik Brauer & Grace Midtown Church
Grace Midtown Sanctuary, Brown Hayes Department Store, Armour Drive Warehouse Conversion, and Highland Church Renovation designed at Kronberg Urbanists & Architects


About

Lineweight Studio LLC is an Atlanta-based full-service architectural design practice specializing in adaptive reuse and renovation projects. Lineweight’s approach to design is context-based, drawing from social, environmental, and historical surroundings to create meaningful and distinctive spaces. As a full-service practice, Lineweight Studio provides services spanning the full breadth of the design and construction process, from Pre-Design through Construction Administration and all phases in between.



People

Eric Bethany, AIA opened Lineweight Studio LLC in 2022 after working on commercial adaptive reuse, new construction commercial, and missing middle housing projects as a designer at firms in Atlanta, New Orleans, and Charleston. His design work has been recognized by awards at the city and national level, including the City of Atlanta Urban Design Commission and the Congress for the New Urbanism. Eric is a registered architect in the state of Georgia and holds a Master of Architecture degree from the Tulane University School of Architecture.


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