The New Dawn Baptist Church was founded in 2007 by the established New Estate Baptist Church in Surulere Lagos. It is a young closely knit congregation formed in Victoria Island. In April 2010, ATO Architects was invited for a pre-qualification for the design of a mixed-use facility for the church. The firm was subsequently invited to participate in a design competition for the church facility with a space of 3000sqm. ATO’s entry was adjudged the 1st prize winner and the firm was subsequently commissioned as the project Architects in December 2010. The design brief required the facility to have a 1500 capacity Auditorium, which would also incorporate a multipurpose hall, meeting rooms and church offices; a residential block for 3 ministers; a commercial block of luxury apartments, all within a space 3000sqm.
The winning entry was based on a concept inspired by the church’s name- New Dawn. The form of the main auditorium was conceived as the petals of a budding flower opening to a full life, anchored on a firm foundation representing the word of God. The curvilinear roof of the main church was used to underscore the concept. The other buildings in the project also echoed the New Dawn theme using curvilinear roof systems. The east face of the church auditorium was designed with large stained-glass windows to project an image, which connected to the more traditional Architectural style of the Middle Ages.