Services
Renovations & building
A new AV platform built inside a working church sanctuary in Old Town, Chicago. The platform was framed in metal studs, sheathed in fire-rated plywood, and finished with custom oak millwork matched to the sanctuary’s existing carved woodwork and stain, while the sanctuary stayed open.
The Challenge
The sanctuary never closed. Services and events continued throughout the project, so the work area was fenced off from the seating, finished areas were protected, and work was scheduled around the congregation.
The other challenge was the woodwork: the new platform sits in the middle of a historic sanctuary full of carved, dark-stained oak, and anything new had to look like it had always been there.
Our Approach
Because the sanctuary stayed in use, the work area was fenced off from the seating with a clear barrier and signage, the surrounding pews and floors were covered, and the work was scheduled around services and events. The site was cleaned and secured at the end of each day so the room was ready for the congregation.
The platform was framed in metal studs and covered with fire-rated plywood first, so the structure was complete before any finish work began. The millwork was then built to match the existing sanctuary: we studied the original paneling, moldings, and carved details, reproduced the scroll and quatrefoil patterns, and matched the stain to the old oak so the new platform blends into the room instead of standing out from it.
The scope of work for this Old Town church was a new AV platform in the main sanctuary, giving the church a permanent, raised position for its cameras and production equipment. The platform structure was framed in light-gauge metal studs and decked and sheathed with fire-rated plywood. The exposed faces were then wrapped in custom oak millwork built to match the sanctuary’s existing woodwork: paneled sides, a molded cap, and a carved band of scroll and quatrefoil details, all stained to the same finish as the original wood. Flooring and the remaining finishes were coordinated so the platform ties into the room around it.
The sanctuary now has a dedicated AV platform for cameras and production equipment, wrapped in oak paneling with carved scroll and quatrefoil details that match the existing woodwork in profile and stain. The platform reads as part of the original room rather than an addition, and it was built without closing the sanctuary.
Old Town mixes historic churches, landmark buildings, and dense residential blocks. Work inside a historic sanctuary has to respect the original materials and keep the building usable for its congregation, and that shaped every step of this project, from the protected work area to the millwork matched to the existing oak.
The most common questions we get before starting a commercial project — answered straight.
Still have questions? Let's talkYes. We follow the building's rules on work hours, freight elevators, and deliveries, schedule noisy work for approved hours, protect common areas, and provide certificates of insurance naming the owner and manager before we mobilize.
Next Step
Send us the address, any drawings, and your dates. We'll walk the space and return a written, line-item bid.
