The Chapel at Air Force Village, a community for retired military personnel, symbolically embodies the growth of faith; allows for the varied experiences towards faith; provides intellectual and sensual stimulation to the retirement community; and provides for the safety and comfort of community and religious routine. Designed by Bailey Edward, the form is new, complex, uplifting and revelatory.

Advanced building technology allows a concrete sculptural form to be created that is as complex and varied as the individual’s growth in their faith. Space is captured under the ground–hugging, smooth inclined planes that layer upon each other ultimately supported by the Chancel’s pinnacle form, creating an interior interplay of mass and light. The concrete protects, the glass enlightens and the form is in flight towards faith. This design beautifully maintains the religious routine through its planning, provides an uplifting experience, and honors the majesty of the retirees and their faith.

Bexar County, Texas

The historic church layout was based on two side aisles with no center aisle, because the original order of service had a central pulpit with a single clergy. To address sacraments such as communion and weddings, and to accommodate universal access, Bailey Edward designed a central aisle with ramps up onto the chancel. To address the aging population, the lighting and sound system was upgraded as well. The design created a new gathering space in the back of the nave, which allows the congregation to casually gather at the back of the church. It also gives a more open perception of the church, so that visitors can pass into the back of the church without disturbing services. 

This project was honored by the Association of Licensed Architects with a Gold Award and by the Central Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects with a Preservation/Restoration award.

Chicago, Illinois

This Jamatkhana’s design reflects the group’s belief that esoteric knowledge is communicated by the Imam (prayer leader) to the Jamat (community) through numerical symbolism expressed in architecture. The building encompasses a Prayer Hall, Social Lobby, Social Hall and Char Bagh Garden; each of which received special design attention from Bailey Edward.

The Prayer Hall’s wood doors are decorated with stained glass inserts that display the symbolic patterns. The Qibla wall, positioned east towards Mecca, with tall bronze screens over long exterior windows, is flanked by carved wood panels creating a ceremonial backdrop for services. In the Social Lobby, the granite floor features an assembly of heptagons forming the symbol unique to this Jamatkhana. One-of-a-kind tapestry panels decorate the walls and custom bronze-finished lights illuminate the room. The unique heptagon is again reinvented in the design of the fountain within the Char Bagh Garden.

Glenview, Illinois

Amidst the trees a place of worship is carved; a clearing of space and light. Marked by the sharp edge of a man-made wall adjacent to the highway and the soft moulding of earth within the site, Bailey Edward has designed a place of introspection and communion for the future Our Lady of Guadalupe diocese.

Leading the way into the Church, the fourteen stations of the cross are made of tree trunks cut down to create the church. Therefore, the beginnings of the land serve as literal as well as spiritual support to the building. Within the worship space, the altar standing on the elevated sanctuary, serves as the main focus “of the sign of Christ himself”. Residing quietly to the side of the worship space, the tabernacle’s power lifts the roof, opening the sky to within, thus creating a deserved place to honor the Lord, present in the sacrement.

Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana

The 1,525-seat worship center addition provides for fellowship gathering space, a central stage, two accessible entry/exits, restrooms and a connecting elevator that provides accessibility to the existing structure. Bailey Edward’s design for the worship center contains countless amenities typically found in a performing arts center such as a catwalk, back stage space, three large viewing screens, fully integrated audio system, and a large stage area equipped with rigging for theatrical performances. The performance space is fully functional for routine and special religious services, yet is adaptable enough to accommodate Christian rock concerts.

The increasing number of events and soaring attendance is proof of the success of the addition’s design. Enhanced spirituality is found in abundance throughout the facility due to the sweep of structural and performance elements that blend in a harmonious way.

Naperville, Illinois