Church rich in form and curves

by Jonathan McGaha | February 28, 2010 12:00 am

Located on a 30-acre (12-hectare) site, the new St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Modesto, Calif., merges traditional forms with a contemporary worship environment. The 26,250-square-foot (2,439-m2) church offers seating for 1,300 parishioners.

“The arches and repetitive curved forms in the ceiling and structure speak to the gothic symbolism we were trying to convey,” said Shelly Hyndman of Hyndman & Hyndman Architects, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif.

Both Flex-C Trac and Flex-C Arch from Flex-Ability Concepts, Oklahoma City, were utilized on the project.

“The use of the flexible track products allowedus to accomplish a building rich in form and softened by curves without the jump in price that used to be associated with curving shapes,” Hyndman said. “We were able to achieve unsegmented arches and vault shapes. Many of the curves could be laid out and constructed in part on the floor and then lifted into place.”

Light-gauge steel studs were used throughout the project. This allowed for taller heights and for suspension from the roof deck as well as easy connections compatible with the steel superstructure elements, according to Hyndman.

The framing contractor on the job was A&P Drywall, Valley Center, Calif. The general contractor was T.B. Penick & Sons, San Diego.

Flex-C Trac is made of galvanized steel and is available in 16, 18 and 20 gauges in a wide variety of metal framing widths, and 20-gauge Flex-C Arch is available in a range of widths for both wood and metal framing. For more information on the Flex-Ability Concepts family of products for both commercial and residential applications, visit www.flexabilityconcepts.com.