Function and appearance are the keys to improving existing facilities through remodeling, according to building experts.
“Church Property/ Building Guidebook” author T. Lee Anderton believes churches need to carefully evaluate the design of existing buildings from these two standpoints before beginning a remodeling project.
“Adequate space and facilities for the church’s activities and programs must be provided, along with safe shelter, comfort and convenience,” he wrote. “All this must also be adaptable to future growth and program changes.”
Nevertheless, a well-designed building should also be attractive, inspiring and interesting to “attract people and hold their interest, create a suitable setting and express what the building and the church is all about,” he added.
“Appearance is especially important to the passerby, visitor, new member and maturing child.”
Therefore, to guarantee the best outcome in remodeling projects, church leaders should make sure that its buildings function well and look appealing.
Before remodeling church buildings, Alabama Baptists should fully understand the intended use of the facility, according to Gene Carter, an interior designer who works with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and Church Interiors, Inc.
He noted that church leaders should know how many people will be in the church choir and if the worship service will include an orchestra, praise team, video screens or drama.
“Form follows function,” Carter added.
“If you design an inadequate church building, your program is going to be inadequate,” he said.
Anderton concurred, “The church’s program and organization needs should be determined, and the building then designed to fit them. Too many buildings are constructed first and the program and organization then twisted to meet them.”
Jay Wolf, pastor of First Baptist Church, Montgomery, said, “Any building project at a church comes at the price of a lot of blood, sweat and tears.
“Be careful and prayerful,” he said. “It’s hard.
“You need to do your homework and share information with the congregation, and the congregation needs to trust the leadership,” Wolf said, noting First, Montgomery, is remodeling about 10,000 square feet of existing space and constructing 100,000 square feet of new space.
Another important factor in making church buildings functional is its master plan.
Before remodeling a facility, church leaders “should consider whether the building will continue to be used for many years, or if it will soon be removed or converted to another use.”
Other issues that should be considered to determine the functionality of a building include relation to other buildings and property slope, space and arrangement, flexibility and change, access and circulation, safety and maintenance.
According to Anderton, effective appearance is achieved by the following components:
–Using art principles to one’s advantage
“The principles used in art can also be applied to the design of buildings, since they are based on the senses, perceptions and mental reactions of people,” Anderton wrote.
“These principles include such things as rhythm, balance, movement and direction, proportion, scale, contrast, accent, centers of interest, patterns, textures, line, plane, volume and mass.”
–Developing a unity and theme throughout the building.
“Unity can be developed by having similarities or repetition in all the buildings,” Anderton noted. “This might be in the use of materials, colors, building shapes and sizes, roof types, windows or other design features and details.”
Carter agrees and advises churches to maintain the architectural style of the existing building at all costs.
“Do not mix … styles,” he said. “If a building has historical significance, the architectural features should be preserved, if possible.”
To achieve this goal one could tie old features in with new ones — repairing stained glass windows and retaining heavy molding, columns, pressed metal ceilings, pews and light fixtures.
Other components of effective appearance are:
–Creating the proper settings and expressions
–Carefully selecting materials, finishes and details
–Using color creatively; accenting with light
–Coordinating the furnishings and accessories
–Enriching the design with arts and crafts
–Communicating through symbolism
–Attracting people and explaining about the building through graphics (words and signs).
Tips to remember when remodeling
Gene Carter, a professional interior designer who works with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions on various projects and assignments, suggests the following tips to remember when remodeling:
–Carefully consider the church’s needs before making any changes. Design needs and enhancements should relate directly to the program needs of the church.
–Get assistance from someone who knows church design and church programs.
–Consider adequate lighting with dimmer controls on sanctuary lights for various types of worship services. Churches usually do not have enough light for the needs of church activities and functions.
–Be sure to include comfortable seating and good ventilation in the building.
–Materials and finishes used throughout the church facility will affect the acoustical quality of the building.
–The architectural style of the church building should be maintained if at all possible.
Danny Wood, pastor of Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills, in Birmingham Association, said, “Know that whenever you do remodeling you have to realize that there could be some hidden costs you (may) run into (with a) number of issues including building codes.”
Shades Mountain recently remodeled 40,000 square feet of unused space beneath its worship center. The area is now a children’s facility and is used as a choir and orchestra rehearsal area.
Shades Mountain also reworked the front and back entrances of the church.
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