North Mar Church

North Mar Church

Intro

North Mar Church

North Mar Church invited a select group of architectural firms to interview for and provide initial design schemes for their renovation and expansion project.  Based on those interviews and initial schemes they selected Phillips|Sekanick Architects, inc. as their design team.  The scope of the project went through numerous changes during the early phases of design and ultimately included an administrative addition, an indoor playground addition, and renovation of the existing administration and nursery to provide internal circulation and a large classroom.

St Williams Church
St Williams Church

Details

North Mar Church

Challenge

This active church was outgrowing their available administrative space and was using classroom space for staff offices.  As a result, they found themselves short on both classroom and administrative space.  Although the building had an elevator it was challenging for handicap users to navigate through the building and its multiple levels – even able bodied users needed to go up and down stairs through the classroom portion of the building to get from the sanctuary to the existing gymnasium.  The church also had “wish list” items to create an indoor playground for the youngest members of the congregation, a larger basketball court with bleachers, and a small theater for about 60 to 90 people.

Solution

By expanding into a grass area just north of the existing sanctuary Phillips|Sekanick Architects, inc. was able to provide all of the requested administrative office spaces in one area and open up the opportunity for a new entry which would provide easy access for all building users from the sanctuary to the existing gymnasium via a ramp and corridor.  While the building committee did not elect to pursue all of their wish list items during this construction project, they did accept the proposed alternate for an Indoor Playground.  To better connect the nursery with the Indoor Playground a second handicap accessible ramp was created using renovated space within the building.  During construction a renovated area that had been planned and bid as two separate classrooms was opened up to be a single large classroom.  This required a significant structural change including installation of a new beam supporting the floor above along with a new column and foundation to support the beam.  The design team was able to quickly generate the revised structural drawings and keep construction progressing.

St William Church

St William Church

Intro

St. William Church

The St William Church administrative and kitchen additions were the result of several years of budgeting and planning with the church building committee.  The new administration addition with its curved roof and bell tower provide a much needed definition to the entry and character to the building.  The kitchen addition at the south side of the structure allows for more comfortable working conditions during the church’s popular fish dinner event and other parish programs.   

St Williams Church
St Williams Church

Details

St William Church

Challenge

The existing structure, made up of an original building built in the 1950s and a sanctuary addition in the 1980s was developed with a simple color palate and limited range of materials.  The building entry was unassuming and dated, and it did not meet accessibility requirments.  Because the church building had very limited office space, day-to-day administrative functions were handled out of a former residence located on the property, 500 feet from the church.  More space was needed in the kitchen for storage and food prep for the well-attended Lenten Fish Fry.   

Solution

The sedign team at Phillips|Sekanick Architects, inc. developed a dynamic roof form and bell tower to frame the entry and utilized a rich palate of complimentary colors to provide character for this vibrant church community.  By extending the walkway leading to the main entry, a universally accessible path into the building was created.  With the church staff now in offices attached to the church, they are able to quickly attend to the needs within the building.  The kitchen addition allowed for separate storage, food prep, cooking and cleaning zones thus improving the flow during the church’s self-catered events.