Images: Studio Four Design
Studio Four Design and Jenkins & Stiles LLC, Knoxville-based architecture and construction firms, completed a new auditorium for Northstar Church’s West Knoxville campus in 2020. The church held its first services in the new facility earlier this year and welcomed two large crowds to its inaugural gatherings.
The 21,000-square-foot expansion accommodates the growing congregation at Northstar Church, with a seating capacity of approximately 1,200.
A spacious front lobby with large windows creates a warm and inviting space for hospitality and fostering connections among congregants before and after services. The building also includes a multi-purpose room for smaller gatherings and support spaces backstage for the auditorium.
The building also features advanced audio, video, and lighting systems to support productions within the space and allow the church to produce high quality live streaming for its services.
“We were tasked with designing a facility that would reflect Northstar’s identity and create functional and engaging interior environments for their worship services” says Stacy Cox, president of Studio Four Design. “Our collaboration with the church on the design was instrumental in the success of the project, and we are excited to see how their ministry will impact people’s lives as they experience Jesus in these spaces.”
AVL systems
The building also features advanced audio, video, and lighting systems to support productions within the space and allow the church to produce high quality live streaming for its services. “We wanted to create a place not only for our Sunday services, but a place for the community to host events,” says Kemper Vogel, worship pastor. To design and install these systems, Northstar turned to Drew Hornback, of DH Production Designs and Jordan McMillion with E2i Designs to partner on the effort.
Hornback notes, “When we approached the design we knew we wanted to start with audio and work our way down through the rest of the needs. We chose a top of line PA system that is very versatile for the needs and vision of the space and then moved on to lighting. The coolest feature of this room, in my opinion, are the house lights that allow the room to be saturated in color,” Vogel adds.
What's to come
“This was our second project for Northstar Church” says Cary Ratliff, project manager with Jenkins & Stiles. “We had a great team of subcontractors and are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Northstar and Studio Four Design to bring this new facility to life.”
Scott Cagle, senior pastor at Northstar Church, says this of the project. “As our church family continues to grow, it’s wonderful to know we have room for everyone and can welcome others who need to experience the love of Jesus.”
