Raffin Construction was chosen to construct the Darien Center, an institutional center for religious activities in Darien, IL. Working with the owner and the architect during the design phase of the project, Raffin suggested cost-effective design alternatives to stay within the client’s budget. Additionally, the Raffin team used computer modeling to avoid conflicts prior to construction which ensured a smooth and efficient construction timeline and minimal changes in the field.

The center consists of private living quarters, communal living spaces, kitchen, laundry facilities, and a chapel for public worship. The barreled ceiling chapel is contained within the main structure that includes ornate millwork and marble with wood inlaid flooring. Outside the building, Raffin worked with the civil engineer to redesign the parking lot using pervious concrete. This allows utilization of the stone subgrade for the site storm water detention system.