Now we hit the runway! We have flown at 33.000 feet in understanding the critical importance of mission statement development for your church, and then a series of articles on master planning enabled us to take a helicopter view of your site.
Today we begin an entirely new leg of our journey in planning, funding and building your church project, as we go inside the buildings to examine specific space requirements.
Jim DePasquale
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In a moment, we will identify the primary life areas of a church that influence space requirements, and then look at the related qualitative and quantitative recommendations. As you plan for those life areas, there are certain common denominators, or design parameters, that your building committee will consider in concert with your architect. Whether you are addressing worship space, education space or otherwise, be ready to discuss these over-arching design parameters with your architect:
Functions of the space: As sanctuaries, commons areas, classrooms, and multi-purpose buildings become more and more diverse in how we use those spaces, it is essential that the church identify all functions that are anticipated.
Number of persons: Space by space, provide the minimum as well as maximum number of occupants.
Hours of use: This is particularly important in order to determine which spaces can serve multiple uses, thus reducing construction costs.
Relationship to other spaces: Communicate to your architect which spaces require adjacencies versus those that require adequate separation by distance.
Symbolism: As related to the interpretive design of the space — whether it be the inspirational qualities of the sanctuary or the hospitable warmth of gathering spaces. Consider, also, the “markers” of your facility — as vertical elements, towers, etc., that identify who you are as a church. One church, for example, that we designed had extensive glass in the multi-purpose building in order that the facility would glow during its evening hours of use, as a “lantern to the community.”
Lighting: Be ready to discuss variable lighting requirements for certain spaces. This can be prompted by the need for flexibility to accommodate a wide range of functions from sermons to drama performances in worship areas, or it can be driven by symbolic objectives to enhance the spiritual experience of congregants.
Acoustics: Obviously a formidable concern for planning today’s multi-functional church. Closely associated with acoustical design considerations will be all of the church’s audio/visual and technology needs. While general requirements should be outlined during this needs analysis stage, leave the detailed discussions for later, when the architect will bring appropriate consultants into the process.
Expansion: One of the most important over-arching considerations, in that your architect must be fully informed about which life areas could ultimately expand beyond the current planning phase and what are the potential numbers that drive that expansion.
Special considerations: Such as security and observation related to administrative, children’s or finance operations.
Since I promised that I would identify the primary life areas for which the above design parameters apply, let me share with you that they include:
• Worship
• Education (inclusive of church and private School, if relevant)
• Fellowship
• Recreation
• Administration
• Support spaces
• Other unique ministries (counseling center, senior housing, etc.)
And next month we will delve into the quantitative space requirements as square footage criteria for each life area. Get your pencils ready to do some arithmetic!
Jim DePasquale, AIA, a member of Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., is currently chair of the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture of the Virginia Society, AIA, and a partner in a Richmond architectural firm. This column is a regular feature of the Religious Herald, appearing in the first issue of each month. Send building, landscape or site-related questions to the editor at [email protected] or directly to DePasquale at [email protected].