Custom Windows and Doors Support Historic-Inspired Architecture in Oklahoma City

A large-scale religious campus in Oklahoma City required window and door solutions that could deliver strict architectural fidelity while performing reliably in a high-use commercial environment. The design team looked for products that could recreate the proportions, shadow lines and detailing found in traditional ecclesiastical buildings—all while meeting today’s structural, thermal and performance expectations.

Working alongside the architect, builder and Pella’s Architectural Solutions team, the Pella Oklahoma team supplied a package of custom Reserve® Traditional windows and doors, each tailored to match the project’s demanding aesthetic and installation requirements. 

Much of the project centered on recreating architectural elements found in historic mission-style buildings, including tall, narrow window openings, arched top units and deep brick surrounds. Standard sizing and profiles wouldn’t achieve the desired look, so the team relied heavily on custom Reserve Sash Set units.

These sash sets provided the flexibility needed to match sightlines across long elevations and maintain proportional consistency from one elevation to the next. Because many openings varied slightly as the construction progressed, Pella’s Architectural Solutions team worked with the local Oklahoma team to adjust specifications and ensure the final units maintained the intended visual rhythm. This helped the architect preserve the building’s symmetry—one of the defining features of the traditional façade.

Throughout the building, the finished result reads as cohesive and intentional: window groupings align cleanly with vertical architectural elements, and the sash profiles complement the building’s masonry and cast stone detailing without overpowering them.

One of the project’s most technical challenges involved the brickmould detailing. The deep masonry walls and façade transitions required precise integration between the brick, stone and window components. Standard exterior trim profiles could not be applied directly without creating visual breaks or shadows that conflicted with the architect’s original concept.

To address this, the installation team manipulated and modified brickmould profiles on site, shaping and adapting the trim to meet the project’s unique wall conditions. This allowed the trim to sit correctly within the masonry pockets and preserved the crisp edge lines that define the building’s exterior elevations.

From a distance, the windows appear embedded naturally within the façade—an important consideration for a building where architectural continuity and historical inspiration were top priorities.

Inside the worship hall and adjoining structures, the design required daylight to reach deep into the interior. To support these lighting goals without adding unnecessary bulk to the window frames, the project incorporated direct set units.

The narrow frames allow for expansive glass areas, giving the interior a bright, open feel while maintaining consistent exterior sightlines. These units were especially effective in the clerestory areas and near arched openings, where minimizing frame presence was essential to maintaining architectural purity.

Because the structure includes vaulted ceilings, domed spaces and long spans of wall, the direct-set approach allowed the design team to maintain proportion without compromising structural requirements.

The property’s main entryways required doors that could match both the scale and the aesthetic of the façade while also carrying the durability expectations of a commercial space. Reserve Traditional Commercial doors were selected for their ability to support larger sizes, thicker profiles and extensive hardware options—important for wide-span entries and continuous public use.

These doors blend seamlessly with the stone arches and stuccoed façade, providing the necessary performance without detracting from the architectural details. Their ability to integrate with custom glazing configurations helped maintain alignment with adjacent window openings, creating a unified visual experience across the building’s most prominent elevation.

Because so many openings required non-standard sizing, detailing or profiles, the branch worked extensively with Pella Corporate’s Architectural Solutions team to engineer units that matched the project’s specifications.

This collaboration ensured:

• Exact sash dimensions for historically inspired window proportions
• Custom alignment of grille patterns and mullion spacing
• Profile and trim adjustments to meet the architect’s aesthetic goals
• Engineering support for wind-load and commercial performance requirements
• Thorough coordination on installation requirements for oversized and arched units

For the builder and architect, this partnership minimized risk and simplified decision-making, knowing each unit was designed and reviewed to meet both the visual and technical requirements.

Across the property, the finished window and door package ties together traditional architecture with the needs of a modern commercial facility. The tall arched windows, deep-set direct-glazed units and custom sash sets create the proportions the architect envisioned, while the commercial doors provide durability for daily use.

The final aesthetic—warm brick tones, symmetrical towers, long colonnades and illuminated interior volumes—reflects a clear attention to detail. And with custom engineering behind each unit, the project balances historical character with contemporary performance, longevity and precision.