St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church is sited on a heavily wooded 10-acre tract in Saco, Maine. This Project was faced with severe time and cost constraints. The existing church building and property had been sold to the Town, and the Parish Community had to find a new home by the closing date, and the budget for a new facility was very limited. CJK Design was able to develop a solution that successfully addressed both issues. The central copper-clad dome of the Church Temple is supported by a limited steel structure, and the majority of the building structure was quickly and economically erected using a system of panelized wood wall elements. The Hall building was also constructed efficiently and cost effectively by relying on a core pre-engineered steel frame design.
The most striking facet of this Project is how Christ Kamages was able to adapt traditional Byzantine church architecture to the vocabulary of Maine and New England by cladding the Temple and Hall with cedar shake siding that includes banded Byzantine details. The roofs are covered with asphalt shingles that mimic the slate tiles of New England dwellings. Energy efficient design includes radiant heating and cooling and operable windows in the Dome for summer ventilation. The Temple and Hall represent Phase I of a 3-Phase Master Plan for St. Demetrios.