Concordia University Chapel

Concordia University in Austin, Texas is a Christian school with academics rooted in the Lutheran tradition.  In 2005, the University purchased a 400-acre tract which was previously Schlumberger’s corporate campus, designed by Barnstone/Jackson and received several architecture awards, including the 1988 Texas Society of Architects, Honor Award. The site is a harmonious blend of nature and architecture, home to the endangered golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo, a tapestry of large live oak and cedar trees, limestone formations, and the property passes through the sensitive Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. 

In its quest to honor its Lutheran heritage while engaging with this unique landscape, Concordia wanted a new purpose-built Chapel that would reflect its theological values and respect for the environment. The Chapel is conceived as a luminous glass vitrine nestled within an existing stone-walled outdoor classroom. This design approach not only minimizes disruption to the mature trees and natural contours of the site but also establishes a profound dialogue between the campus’s existing architecture and the new Chapel. 

The Chapel’s design embodies the Lutheran concept of the Two Kingdoms, bridging the tangible world of nature with the transcendent realm of grace. Its glass walls create a sacred space that seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape, offering an immersive experience that evokes both mystery and reverence. The Chapel’s lobby and support spaces are strategically fragmented to preserve trees and to reflect the original architectural language and sensitivity to the site. 

By juxtaposing the existing stone walls with the ethereal glass structure, the Chapel achieves a delicate balance between privacy and openness, shielding the sacred space from the campus’s activity while framing expansive views of the natural world and the sky above. This thoughtful integration exemplifies Concordia’s commitment to honoring its heritage and the environment through innovative and respectful architectural design.