Finding it hard to navigate the different phases of a building project, or wondering what exactly you are getting into by hiring an architect? Here's a matrix to help you visualize the process more easily. Save the image for easy access:
0 Comments
(This is an excerpt from the Summer 2024 Edition of METROPOLIS Magazine which featured our very own Victoria McMillan.)
Choosing the right architect for a church or ministry project is crucial to ensure that the design aligns with the spiritual and functional needs of the congregation. Here are some steps to help you make the right decision:
1. Define Your Project Goals: Clearly outline the goals and vision for your project. Consider factors such as the size of the congregation, specific activities or events the space will host, and any unique requirements. If you're like many pastors and ministry leaders, you're probably wondering if you need an architect for your building project. Determining whether you need a professional architect depends on various factors, including the scope and complexity of the project. Here are some considerations:
1. New Construction: If you're planning to build a new church or ministry building, hiring an architect is highly recommended. Architects can help in designing a space that meets the unique needs of a worship facility, considering factors like seating arrangements, acoustics, and religious symbolism. We have all heard of the phrase "this is a blueprint for success," but have you ever seen an actual architectural blueprint, or wondered how it came to be ingrained in our everyday vocabulary? These days, computer-aided drawing has completely taken over the architecture and engineering professions and traditional blueprints are no longer used, but our interest was renewed when a member of KDG came across an old blueprint (or so she thought; continue reading below to find out if this really was a blueprint) in Who Gives A SCRAP, also known as Colorado Springs' Creative Reuse Community Center. From the almost illegible Revisions List on the Title Block, we could tell that it was drawn in 1985 by an S. McMillan, titled "Country Club Maples Townhomes."
Architectural renderings play a crucial role in helping ministries raise funds for building projects in several ways:
1. Visualization: Renderings provide a realistic portrayal of the proposed building design. This helps potential donors, investors, and congregants visualize the final structure, creating a sense of connection and excitement about the project. Charis Bible College in Woodland Park, Colorado is a 900-student college founded by Andrew Wommack to equip faithful men and women for the work of the ministry by teaching spiritual truths, imparting biblical knowledge, providing practical ministry opportunities, and grounding them in the message of God's unconditional love and grace. Every year, hundreds of prospective students were unable to enroll because of a lack of housing in the area. The founder's Ten-Year Campus Expansion vision from God included, critically, building new housing for students to live on campus. KDG was brought on board, and during the Schematic Design process, we created 3D rendering stills and videos to demonstrate and communicate the design.
River Rock Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a 400-member church founded by Pastor Rick McFarland. The congregation is made up of people from every background and culture, and its mission is to equip believers to fulfill the Great Commission. The membership of the church is starting to grow beyond the current capacity of the 11,418 SF church facility, and even with two services the 250-seat sanctuary is starting to overflow. The queues at the bathrooms are getting long and there isn't enough space for everyone to sit and fellowship in the dining area. The children's ministry and other initiatives in the church are finding it hard to find adequate space for their activities. It's clear that a larger building was needed. The leader of the young adults group at the time was none other than KDG's principal John Graham - when he learned that Pastor Rick had begun looking for a new facility, John stepped up to help by offering pro-bono programming services for the future building.
Architects traditionally offer 5 phases of standard services. Here at KDG, we not only offer them but we tailor fit them to your ministry or church project with special insights coming from our position as Kingdom partners. Some or all of these services will come into play depending on the scale and scope of work. (Programming is usually not considered part of standard architectural services, but we are happy to discuss this phase with you.) In our guide below, we add the analogy of a potter with his clay to better walk you through these steps.
KINGDOM DESIGN GROUP
A POTTER'S GUIDE TO ARCHITECTURE |