Southside Bethel Baptist Church

Created for Southside Bethel Baptist Church, this rendering project envisioned a refreshed sanctuary space that balanced reverence, functionality, and visual presence. While my background is rooted in scenic design for performance, this project called for a different kind of storytelling—one shaped by sacred architecture, ceremonial flow, and the evolving needs of a modern congregation.

The design highlights a clear focal structure behind the pulpit, drawing the eye to a recessed, backlit cross framed by minimalist columns. The color palette—deep blue walls, rich red carpet, and polished gold accents—evokes warmth and tradition, while strategic lighting and integrated screens modernize the space for contemporary services and streaming.

Symmetrical seating and scalloped valances reference the formality of worship traditions, while soft textures and greenery introduce moments of calm and approachability. Each choice supports the dual function of the space: a place of community and reflection, and a stage for moments of spiritual leadership and collective expression.

This rendering marks a shift from theatrical space to sacred space—one where architectural detail, symbolic clarity, and emotional resonance meet in a design built not for performance, but for presence.