Science of Spirituality’s International Meditation Centre
Science of Spirituality’s new International Meditation Centre showcases an exterior of rich, golden metallic tones. Its façade’s golden panels draw the eye upward, and resemble the similar shape of hands cupped in prayer and a blooming lotus flower’s petals.
Science of Spirituality’s new International Meditation Centre showcases an exterior of rich, golden metallic tones. Illuminated at night, the Centre presents an attractive, warm, welcoming space for visitors to its global headquarters. Designed by Gensler, the Centre’s elliptical form symbolises the crossroads of spiritual and earthly influences. Its façade’s golden panels draw the eye upward, and resemble the similar shape of hands cupped in prayer and a blooming lotus flower’s petals.
Throughout the Centre, design elements reflect a journey toward peace in harmony with the community and the environment. A nonprofit organisation with 2,800 centres worldwide, Science of Spirituality is dedicated to transforming lives through meditation. It presents spirituality as a science that can be practised by people of all backgrounds and from all walks of life.
Open to the public, the International Meditation Centre encompass 55,000 square feet of space on nine acres in Lisle, Illinois, a suburb in western Chicago. The main sanctuary offers flexible seating arrangements for up to 1,200 people. Other areas include a bookshop, reading room, café, dining hall, nursery, offices, meeting rooms, classrooms plus outdoor gardens and a reflecting pool.
The Centre’s unique façade includes Sherwin-Williams® Fluropon® Classic II in Light Gold and Dark Gold on Metal Design Systems, Inc. (MDSI) aluminium wall panel system.
“The golden colour for the exterior metal panels was selected not only because of its beauty and aesthetics, but also because it is often associated with spirituality,” explained a representative from Science of Spirituality. “Golden colours are considered optimistic and positive. At the highest level, a golden colour is associated with higher ideals, wisdom, understanding and enlightenment. It inspires knowledge, spirituality and a deep understanding of ourselves and our souls.”
“There were several rounds of colour submittals with different gold colours,” said Chad Showalter, MDSI’s vice president of sales. “We knew the building was going to be illuminated from the ground at night, so the colour, reflection and shadows were all very important to the final paint selection.”
We wanted the finished material to have a reflectivity with a dynamic character that appeared to change throughout the day, accentuating the shadows and geometry of the building.
Sherwin-Williams’ representatives provided samples and explained the coating’s properties, attributes and longevity. The approved, Fluropon Classic II Light Gold and Dark Gold colours for Science of Spirituality’s new Centre were formulated using mica flake to enhance the vibrancy of the finished panel system. Communicating with intention, the 30-foot-tall, gold-coloured panel wall assemblies appear solid, straight and sturdy at their base. The solid panels transition to a delicate jali-patterned, dual-colour panels that cantilever and curve, opening heavenward.
“We reviewed several full-sized mock-ups during the design process to make sure that the pattern and finish on the panels was exactly what the client wanted,” confirmed DePersia.
To better visualise the façade’s geometry, Gensler generated a computerised model to help with panel depth, joining and patterning. Parametric components were set up and placed into a grid system based on four control points that conform to the elliptical geometry.
Gensler described the purity of the Centre’s elliptical form as “defined by two foci and a constantly changing radius. To simplify the building’s geometry, the ellipse was subdivided into four symmetrical segments. This imperceivable deviation allowed the team to minimise the number of unique panels.”
Project Credits:
- Owner: Science of Spirituality, Lisle, Illinois
- Architect: Gensler, Chicago
- General contractor: Skender Chicago
- Installer: Architectural Panel Systems, Inc.; Naperville, Illinois
- Manufacturer: Metal Design Systems, Inc.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Finisher: Linetec Wausau, Wisconsin
- Coatings provider: Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings
Photos: ©Tom Harris by Gensler
All of the Centre’s aluminium panels, vertical fins, coping and trim were engineered and fabricated by MDSI. The custom jali pattern was seamlessly mapped onto the complex building geometry’s top panels. Moving from the digital to the physical, the pattern was laser-cut onto the aluminium panels. This decorative panel was paired with a solid one in back to form the upper assembly
After the panels were produced and perforated, Linetec post-painted all of MDSI’s aluminium products using the selected Fluropon liquid architectural coatings to meet the high-performance specifications and precise aesthetic requirements. “MDSI and Linetec have had a long working relationship, and knew we wanted them as a partner for our finisher on this project,” said Showalter.
“There are actually two gold colours being used; One for the outer perforated panel and one for the inner back pan,” explained Showalter. “The intent was for the jali pattern to standout by using the two different gold colours.”
“Linetec did a wonderful job working with us through several rounds of submittals and mock-ups. Because the panels were perforated, we needed to make certain that the panels – both on the face and the inside of the perforated jali pattern – had full coverage of paint.”
“As a 70% PVDF architectural coating system, Fluropon Classic II offers reliable coverage and the highest level of performance, supported by a reputable brand,” said Linetec’s marketing manager, Tammy Schroeder, LEED® Green Associate.
For more than 55 years, Fluropon coating systems have been recognised by architects and architectural product manufacturers for their nearly limitless colour choice, high performance, consistency and durability. Withstanding demanding climates, such as Chicago’s harsh winters and hot summers, Fluropon Classic II coatings exceed the industry-leading standard AAMA 2605. Coatings manufactured and applied to this standard are proven to resist chalking, fading and ultraviolet rays, and to maintain their intended appearance for decades.
“Beyond Fluropon’s reliable performance, the gold colours applied on MDSI’s systems add a unique visual appeal to Science of Spirituality’s International Meditation Centre,” observed Schroeder. “The lively appearance is caused by the way visible light reflects off the mica flakes within the coating system. The panels’ golden painted surface will look like it glitters in the sun, giving the building the desired reflective property.”
In addition to displaying the best qualities of Fluropon on International Meditation Centre, Showalter noted, “The ultimate end-product was the result of effort from everyone involved in making key decisions as the project progressed through design, fabrication and installation.”
The finished wall panel system was preassembled offsite for quick on-site installed by Architectural Panel Systems, Inc. General contractor Skender oversaw the Centre’s entire construction process starting in with site preparation in 2014 until the project was completed in 2018.
The inauguration of the new Science of Spirituality’s International Meditation Centre on July 28, 2018 was attended by local and state official and thousands of people from 30 different countries.
During a 2019 presentation at the meditation centre, Dr. T. Colin Campbell, scientist and nutrition pioneer, was moved to say, “The mere sight of this place puts something in a person. I find this place to be a remarkable facility.”
DePersia agreed and added, “The client is very, very happy with the look of the building and its performance to-date.”
Honouring the design achievements of Science of Spirituality’s International Meditation Centre, Gensler was nominated for a “Divine Detail Award” as part of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chicago 2019 Design Excellence Awards.