礁溪教會周邊多為低矮建物，基地前臨四線道台九線，後接巷弄鄰里，右側（北方）隔一小公園綠地與礁溪戶政事務所相望，是一舊址重建的教會。規劃設計以「重新定義教會並且因地制宜」為原則。礁溪冬季多雨潮濕，夏季高溫炎熱，基地地形東西向（長向）有一米半高低差，因此將一樓空間挑高，設計四個方形量體撐起二樓主堂結構，也符合聖經描述「上帝的殿建在高處」的精神。

「教會對我（廖偉立）來講不僅僅是教會，還像是社區中心，也像是心靈的便利商店，很多社區鄰里活動都可以在這裡產生。一個房子就像一個宇宙，也像一座城市、一個聚落。」

一樓的四個量體之間形塑出廣場和通道，猶如城市裡的巷弄街道，通透的虛體空間設計有助風的流通，也意圖與礁溪戶政事務所不規則的實體建築做對話。圍而不合的半戶外空間，提供多種活動在此發生；使常民生活與教會產生連結，串連周邊社區、鄰里、巷弄和綠帶。二樓主堂為雙皮層結構。內外皮層間創造出動線空間也具調節氣溫之用。屋頂裝設七座台灣常見的渦輪通風塔，隱含聖經裡七天之意。主堂內皮層以木構集成材形塑出木格架蛋形空間，象徵孕育生命的母體子宮。光線從兩側及屋頂的格柵穿透，篩落下自然光影，塑造出猶如「在樹林、曠野地裡禱告和敬拜」的神聖氛圍。

「這是個非常多隱喻的主堂空間，不過形式背後最根本的理念仍是不斷與人、與自然做連結。」並儘量採用本地工法和回收材料，企圖與常民產生情感連結和關係。

The planning and design strategy of The Jiaoxi Presbyterian Church are formed around the principle of “re-defining the church and adapting to local conditions”. The church is located in Jiaoxi. The winters are rainy and humid and the summers are hot and torridity. There is a height difference of one and a half meters along the east-west axis (longitudinal direction) of the site. The first floor is double height. The main hall on the second floor is supported by four square volumes. The design references the bible, “the temple of God is built high.”

“To me,” Wei-Li Liao said, “The church is not only a church. It is more like a community center, and a convenience store for the soul. Many community neighborhood activities can be generated here. A house is like a universe, a city, and a settlement.”