Project Overview
Originally envisioned as a Romanesque-style church constructed of field-cut limestone, the Prince of Peace Church in Illinois faced early challenges in maintaining its project schedule and budget using natural stone. Seeking an alternative that could replicate the look and durability of limestone while remaining cost-effective, the design team and contractor turned to precast concrete producer, Enterprise Precast Concrete. Their solution: an insulated and solid precast concrete panel system that successfully maintained the original aesthetic intent.
Since the church’s completion in 2011, the church has retained its pristine appearance, a testament to the resilience of precast concrete. In early 2024, the church underwent an addition, seamlessly incorporating the same insulated precast concrete panel system with identical mix design, form liners, and finish. The result was an indiscernible transition between the original structure and the expansion. Not only did this approach uphold the architectural integrity, but it also ensured the longevity and resilience of the facility.
One of the project's biggest challenges was creating an exterior aesthetic that convincingly mimicked field-cut limestone using insulated and solid precast concrete panels. This was achieved through multiple form liners and deep reveals to replicate natural stone, projections and recessed architectural details around openings to enhance authenticity, and custom mitered form liners—nearly 3 inches deep—to ensure stone returns at corners, creating the appearance of hand-laid masonry. Additionally, the design team sought to conceal panel joints, integrating wider reveals in the stone pattern to visually disguise seams. A block base form liner with masonry and stone banding further enhanced the effect, blending the joints into the natural stone aesthetic.
To ensure the precast panels closely matched field-cut limestone, an extensive sample process was conducted. The concrete mix design was fine-tuned to replicate the color, texture, and finish of the original stone selection. The result was an authentic and durable façade that remains visually indistinguishable from natural limestone.
The design team extended the use of precast concrete beyond the exterior walls. The architect was also commissioned to design the Altar, Pulpit, and Baptismal Font, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic between the exterior and interior. These intricate elements featured reliefs, projections, and radiused components, all executed with the same precast concrete material.
The project utilized 30,000 square feet of precast concrete, comprising 192 solid and insulated sandwich panels. The buff-colored panels featured an acid-etched finish, and custom-built form liners up to 3 inches thick were used to replicate the rich texture of natural stone.
The Prince of Peace Church was recognized for its outstanding use of precast concrete, earning the 2011 American Concrete Institute Nebraska Chapter Award of Excellence. Today, it stands as a testament to the versatility, durability, and beauty of precast concrete, proving that thoughtful engineering and craftsmanship can yield a structure that is both timeless and resilient. |