Master planning for attractive & functional church building design

Everyone is familiar with the term Master Plan. Today most commercial facilities are designed as part of a master plan for future expansion. But a church master plan is truly unique among master plans. Whether your congregation desires a church remodeling, restoration or a design for new church - planning is an essential part to any type of functional church building design.

Technology and our culture is changing faster everyday, and as a result, churches develop new ministries to reach the changing cultures. Most churches have ministries today that they could not have predicted 5 years ago. So how can a master plan for a functional church building design be done for a church when the future uses are not yet known?

It is not possible to design for future unknowns, but a design for new churches or remodeling can be carried out as part of a church building plan that is flexible, with different contingencies and growth options so the campus buildings may be converted in the future, or expanded in a variety of ways.

While no two churches have the same needs, there are several fundamental questions every church building project needs answered, such as:

• Do we need to build new or can we expand?
• If we need to build new, which location is best?
• How can we make the most of our existing site?

A church building project can challenge even the happiest of congregations but as your partner and advocate, we'll provide guidance and assistance every step of the way to help you get the above questions, and many more, asked and answered. Many churches have a preconception about what they want, yet committes are often surprised at details that were overlooked. Through an extensive analysis and planning process, we'll analyze each ministry area of the church and help your congregation determine the best solution within your designated budget. We'll develop church building plans customized to your specific needs and requirements and will ensure the result is both an attractive and functional church building design that truly serves your mission.

The church facilities master planning process can be divided in the following major stages:

• Church Facilities Needs & Feasibility Study
• Long-term church building plans for the future growth of your ministry and future use of your site
• Church floor plans, including existing space use and re-use studies and plans for the church remodeling, building restoration, new addition or new church buildings planning
• Color renderings of a church layout to help your congregation visualize the final project, and to provide the necessary documents and presentation for zoning approvals.

Many other questions need to be answered before creating the church floor plans - from the style and structure of the building to the kind of space needed to the lend needed for expansion. These questions and others should be answered during a needs analysis or feasibility study, conducted by the church architect prior to any other steps.

An advanced building analysis of the existing church facilities needs to be conducted to determine what needs might exist that could be met through design for new church, remodeling, building restoration or the addition of new church buildings. The church building committee then review all the findings of the advanced building analysis and discuss customization options.

Once a needs analysis and feasibility study is performed as part of church building plans, long-term site plans and church floor plans are developed, with respect to ministry, budget and aesthetic needs of your new church building program.

Attractive and functional church building design for now and the future

Many architecture firms can provide assistance with building a church but a successful building program requires careful church building plans that combine visioning and feasibility without losing sight of church image. This is best accomplished through expert church builders.