As an architecture firm that works almost exclusively with churches and Christian schools, we must confess to allowing our collective joy to slip away every now and again during this rollercoaster ride of 2020. With 129 faith-based projects in active design or construction stages, we have walked along this path of uncertainty with many church […]
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By Rodney C. James Picture a group of men and women at the ready. Hard hats, leather gloves, steel toe boots, hammers, nails, and all the tools needed to tear down, renovate or expand your church building. A beautiful scene, isn’t it? Not so fast. Let’s rewind the tape. Where are permissions needed from the […]
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Amid coronavirus, churches are (literally) reimagining their worship spaces. Portable equipment — platforms, risers, barricades and more — can make your space work, if you know how to maximize them. As you work with church leaders right now, what are their biggest questions about post-COVID operations? Cindy Albrecht: Church leaders come to us seeking solutions […]
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By RaeAnn Slaybaugh A Florida church’s design proves big impact is possible on a budget For Westside Family Worship Center in Jacksonville, Fla., everything changed overnight. Always a strong military community, the closure of a nearby Navy base meant the church immediately lost 60 families. Meanwhile, left empty, multiple mobile parks across the street from […]
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Exterior elements • Fellowship spaces • Children’s + Youth areas • Community-focused design • Multi-site design • “Green” elements • Revenue generation Let’s start from the outside in. What exterior / outdoor church design elements are popular? Thomas Small, AIA/NCARB: Most churches we work with are contemporary by nature; therefore, they’re looking for clean/modern designs […]
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By Brittany Kuhn Worship facilities design and construction is going through a renaissance of sorts. In recent years, there’s been a growing yet prominent trend toward increasingly versatile spaces. Traditional single-worship venues are being transformed into (or sometimes replaced by) modern community hubs that present clean lines, promote larger gathering spaces and offer appealing multifunctional […]
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One large Texas church proves the best church building outcomes are all of the above By RaeAnn Slaybaugh Having undergone a few previous building projects, Senior Pastor Dr. Jimmy Pritchard and his team knew exactly what (and who) they were looking for: the right partners. From the architect, to the A/V/L systems integrator, to the […]
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By RaeAnn Slaybaugh Senior Pastor Mark Allen’s path to starting a church in Athens, Texas, began in 2005 — though it certainly wasn’t his plan. “Athens doesn’t need another church,” he laughs. “It’s an exaggeration, but I’ve heard people say there are about 12,000 people who live here and, like, 1,500 churches.” But, God had […]
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No small feat! By Paul Mergenhagen #1: Your children’s spaces speak before you say a word. An effective children’s environment demonstrates that you’ve invested in families. It tells parents that you’ve planned on their children being there. This is especially true for guests and first-time visitors. Is your children’s space inviting? Welcoming? Or is it sterile […]
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Audio, Video, Lighting, Acoustics (AVLA) • Way Finding & Digital Signage • Security & Surveillance From a professional perspective, when you think about the audio, video and / or lighting elements or technologies that are most engaging in churches right now, what springs to mind? Doug Hood: Any leader who stands on a church stage […]
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