.jpg){kind=small} .jpg){kind=small} .jpg){kind=small} .jpg){kind=small} .jpg){kind=small} .jpg){kind=small} .jpg){kind=small} .jpg){kind=small} .jpg){kind=small} .jpg){kind=small} Hull Stephens & Associates 5023 Holland Drive Swartz Creek, MI 48473 810/635-4090 info@hsaa.com Complete Architectural Services Religious Commercial & Custom Residential | .gif) .gif) 
Spring 1999 Issue No. 12 CHURCH BUILDING NOTES "A newsletter on designing and maintaining your church"
In this CHURCH BUILDING NOTES, you will find abridged versions of feature articles from previous newsletters:
Complete newsletter articles can be obtained as HIGHLIGHTS FROM
CHURCH BUILDING Every year we talk with approximately 6,000 pastors and building chairmen who are beginning to plan for new facilities or additions. We get asked many questions about how to expand their buildings or relocate. Our newsletters try to answer those questions. In this newsletter we highlight articles from previous newsletters that answer our must frequently asked questions. If you want to read the whole article about any of these subjects, just call our office and request the newsletter you need. WE NEED TO BUILD - WHERE DO WE START? Once a church reaches 80% of its capacity, growth will slow down and eventually stop. As the church reaches this place of decision there are many determinations to make. Is the present facility expandable, barrier free, energy efficient, outdated, able to meet the current ministry needs as well as the needs five and ten years from now? Determine if current ministries need room to expand or if new ministries need to begin. In addition to the physical structure, consideration must be given to the site space available. Once the decision to build has been reached, thoughts come to mind. For example: addition, relocate, masterplan, finances, committees, architect, surveyor, realtor, engineer, contractor, and "how". To find these answers, request: CHURCH BUILDING NOTES ISSUE NUMBER 8. EVALUATING THE SITE AND FACILITIES FOR EXPANSION This newsletter article deals specifically and in detail with issues regarding the site. There are factors to be considered other than just the amount of acres the church owns. Any time decisions are made that affect the future church, the church of our children and grandchildren, it is important to allow space for growth. If a church does not plan to grow, it surely will not grow. Also in this CHURCH BUILDING NOTES newsletter, we have included a planning checklist for future building projects. REQUEST ISSUE NUMBER 9. WHAT FACTORS AFFECT CONSTRUCTION COSTS? Probably the first question a church asks when considering a building project is, "How much will it cost?" The building committee is aware of the most obvious things that affect building costs. However, there are some less obvious ones that can only be controlled during the design phase. Some things to consider are; the size of the building, the materials used, landscaping, site conditions, site work or barrier free accesses that may be required by local ordinances. More factors are discussed in CHURCH BUILDING NOTES ISSUE NUMBER 9. DRAFTING AN ARCHITECT: HOW TO FIND ONE THAT MEETS YOUR "SPECS" Architects don't just draw pretty pictures; they are trained planners in site and building design. To find one that meets your needs check with your denominational offices, talk with other churches who have used an architect in a recent project, check advertisements in Christian magazines and in the yellow pages. Be
certain the architect is registered in your state. Look for these two qualifications:
experience as an architect in general and experience in designing churches. Churches
are unique design projects. For more qualifications to look for in an architect
ask for BARRIER FREE CHURCH BUILDINGS Since the mid 1970's our society has recognized that disabled persons should have the same access to public facilities as anyone else. In many areas churches have led their communities by providing easy access to their facilities for both the disabled and the elderly. What are state regulations regarding barrier free entryways for churches? Are there dimensional requirements for hallways, doors, restrooms, drinking fountains, switches, and more? How do we determine whether we need a ramp or an elevator? To answer these and other questions ask for CHURCH BUILDING NOTES ISSUE NUMBER 7. "EXCEPT THE LORD BUILD THE HOUSE, THEY LABOUR IN VAIN THAT BUILD IT." PSALMS 127:1 DESIGNING OUR PLACE OF WORSHIP How do we mere mortal human beings begin to design
the Lord's House? Careful planning enhances our worship space.
Appropriate positioning of design elements creates an atmosphere
of reverence and respect. Acoustics, though often overlooked,
add an important dimension to the sanctuary. Visual aids and effective
lighting must also be considered. There are other needs and new
trends to be introduced in this article found in FANS, BALCONIES, AND BINOCULARS – THOUGHTS ON DESIGNING A WORSHIP AREA The worship area should be designed to accommodate good vision, acoustics, and comfort while expressing a sense of wholeness. People want to be close enough to see the speaker's face and hear what he has to say. We believe the "fan" shaped seating area in the auditorium is the most natural way to achieve this. There are times when balconies are needed. Some recommendations
for balconies: not more than one third of the total seating should be in the balcony,
make the balcony as broad as practical, and as much a part of the worship room
as possible. For more recommendations on worship areas and how to design them
ask for... FOYERS: THE HEART OF THE CHURCH One sign of a healthy growing church is a congregation slow to go home. The church wants to eliminate any barriers in the foyer that would force their parishioners to leave quickly. The foyer needs enough space to make visitors feel welcome and churchgoers to greet one another, hang up their coats, and prepare for entering the worship area in comfort. A foyer needs a minimum of
two square feet of floor area, for each sanctuary seat. For every 100 people provide
eight linear feet of coat space, or four hangers per lineal foot. An atrium, usually
located in the center of the foyer, may enhance the area if the church building
is large enough. For more information about what can be done to enhance your church
foyer ask for A VESTED INTEREST IN VESTIBULES The vestibule is the entryway
to the church itself. It is a small room or passageway between an outer door and
an inner door. The function of the vestibule is to form an "air lock"
between the exterior and the building interior. It is used to eliminate drafts
and unwanted noise from entering into the room when the doors are opened. It is
important to be aware of energy savings and heat loss, costs, floor finishes,
and locks. For more information about vestibules ask for... FELLOWSHIP HALL, FAMILY LIFE CENTER, GYMNASIUM - HOW TO DETERMINE WHAT YOU NEED Fellowship
with other believers is one of the key factors for church growth, both spiritually
and numerically. When it has been decided that there is a need for a large open
room to be added to the church, several considerations must be determined. This
article addresses how to plan the size of the facility needed. A fellowship hall
may be adequate for some congregations. Some congregations may want to provide
for banquets, concerts, and activities requiring a gymnasium or family life center.
The multi-functional family life center requires thought given to size and height
for the seating capacity and activity planned. The kitchen facility may be simply
for warming foods, full-scale commercial application, or somewhere in between.
For all the information you will need to learn about fellowship halls, gymnasiums,
and family life centers ask for... BUILDING INSULATION IN CHURCHES This article shares
information on the most commonly used types of insulation, with a description
of each. It tells how to determine the amount of insulation needed in a church
facility. For some helpful information about insulation ask for... PITFALLS FOR PASTORS A great percentage of pastors relocate within
two years of the completion of a building program. There are several
reasons for this. Sometimes a pastor is "over-committeed
to death". Too much physical involvement can affect the pastor's
physical health, as well as cause his ministry to suffer. There
will be less time for prayer, sermon preparation, and pastoral
duties when he is over taxed during a building program. To find
out how to take special care of the pastor during a building project
ask for... DID YOU KNOW? - HULL - STEPHENS AND ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS has designed over 700 (as of Spring 1999) church projects for 500 different churches in 45 denominations. We have designed very large churches seating 2,000, to the small church seating 100, and nearly everything in between. We have designed 99 total new facilities, and many additions, 96 sanctuaries, 83 Christian education units, 44 gymnasiums/family life centers, 29 fellowship halls, 13 sanctinasiums, and have completed many renovation plans. In addition to those basic areas we have also provided design work for: air conditioning and heating, baptisteries, barrier free accessing devices, bell towers, carports, day care centers, parking lots, parsonages, new pitched roof over existing flat roofs, senior citizens apartments, schools, and walkway covers. Nearly all of our designs have included a masterplan
for future buildings and property, phased constructions, and construction
cost estimates. UCBN
IS YOUR CHURCH LOOKING FOR: Church furniture Call our office and let us help you find the information your church needs .
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