Evanston Peace Garden

In 2006, the Unitarian Church of Evanston sought to establish a space for reflection and a place to celebrate the lives of its congregants. Unitarians are a practical bunch so it made sense to us to use the peace garden as a way to improve the daily life of the church while also creating a sacred space. We designed a sorely needed pedestrian walkway from the street to the entry. Seven trees, representing the faith's seven principles, line the path and screen the parking lot from a lawn for memorial services. Two of the church's massive, cantilevered "buttresses" and the angled concrete wall provide the backdrop. Seating is cantilevered from the base of the sanctuary; a low stone wall and rock garden separate the peace garden from the lawn.