This is a wonderful church, with wonderful property, in a beautiful location. The challenge for us was to use the site’s beauty as an asset without letting its cost control the project. Many construction line item costs are reasonably consistent across the country, i.e., cost of drywall, electrical work, framing, etc. The wild card in estimating construction cost is almost always the sitework, because every site is unique.
The church wanted a contemporary building design that “looks like a church.” As with most church projects, the budget was tight, without any room for unexpected costs. With a location further from the city than usual, the project infrastructure became an issue. Technically, it’s not a problem, but the initial cost proposal to extend the capacity of services to this site was significant. However, when the city and service companies understand the Master Plan and its future implications, an associated implementation plan can assign appropriate costs at the right intervals.
Another site issue was the dramatic changes in elevation, the sloped grades. Designing buildings with consideration to orientation, future expansion, and other future buildings is one of the unique challenges in master planning for a church. When done skillfully, the Master Plan serves its purpose with a beautiful, first-phase building; consideration for other, future facilities; parking and infrastructure for all phases; and using the character and elevation of the property in the presentation of its beauty.
The Building Program was for a Multi-purpose Building to include: a central entrance Foyer, Restrooms, Sanctuary seating 350-400, Chancel, Baptistry, Administration designed to operate independently with a separate entrance, HVAC zoning, etc.; Fellowship Hall with table seating for 225; Kitchen, and all the typical support spaces. The total building area was 12,000 square feet.
Understanding unique, intricate differences in church design and construction can make the difference between being in budget or being in the ditch. We’re grateful to have that understanding, and we love what we do.
