Building Team

Friday, February 13, 2004

In considering the 'ideal' building we should be thinking of ways the building can promote and enhance the relationships of the congregation. I think that's the bottom line reason people have wanted a building (permanent classrooms, not having to setup and teardown chairs, freedom of venue, to build identity...).
The grange has luxuries we we take for granted like the serving lines, large kitchen, ample fellowship areas and seating. It would be a shame to loose these features, for example the dinner and talent show. Think how much more work would have had to have been done (if it would be possible at all) if we tried to do that within the McNight plans. I think we should be trying to make events like this easier not more difficult.

So here is my list:
Kitchen -equipped and large enough to prepare dinners like the teacher appreciation.

Seating/fellowship - I think width is the critical dimention too wide and the sides loose visibility due to angle, too narrow and we loose flexibility with seating.

Office - we should have one that fits the furniture we have now (though some of the bookcases could go to a library/lounge area.

lounge - I feel very excited about an area like this, it could be used for small groups, counseling, library, and my favorite is as a teen classroom it would give the younger kids something to look forward to (getting to have class in the comfy room) and give the teens a special identity.

classrooms - should be set up in a way so they don't interfere with the adult class in the main hall.(noise, travel to/from)

bathrooms - "restaurant style" meaning visible only if your looking for them (very visible if your desperately looking for them) :)

Cry room - we should have one, toddler classroom? It would be great to use this as a class but wouldn't be without issues. Since it's possible proximity there may be a way it could be used as an extension to the kitchen.

Storage - for tables and chairs.

Equipment room - for lawn mower, snow blower ... attached or shed. I think I would prefer an attached area (working on a snow blower in the cold isn't very fun as I'm finding out) but either would be fine.(if it's me working on it I'll just drag it into the office to work on it).

Presentation area - I would prefer a rear projection screen which would require a room behind the presentation area. It may be difficult to arrange an expandable floor plan like this, but would be more aesthetically pleasing.

(I barely write this much for school)

posted by Neshobee @ 8:27 AM

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

Ok I've polished the blog up conciderably
1. all the links to the side work "archives" ----->
2. the blog only shows activity for the last 7 days
3. the Mcnight plans are scaned in and very readable(though they won't fit on your screen all at once) Link on side.

posted by Neshobee @ 8:25 PM

Hey Guys:

Larry, Shobee to address your comments: I am unsure as to whether having a partial basement or not requires ada accessibility or not. As an employer we are required to make reasonable accommodation. But this is an existing structure and not generally considered a "public " building. A new buidling is a whole different ball game. McKnight strongly objected to a basement for numerous reasons. Besides, I suspect it would be substantially less money to build a well designed, architecturally compatible storage shed. Building a basement partial or not is expensive and then you must create a driveway for heavy equipment and setting of forms so logically you'd smooth it, gravel and need to plow it etc. If the membership really feels we need these things all at once to present to whomever for fundraising then we need to look at collecting all those bits of data from them and compiling it. Otherwise, we'll be going back and forth.

As for the dining room analogy - the point was I ruled out the possibility of an addition, but was able to
accommodate comfortably by using an expandable table that is larger than the one I had and certainly more affordable than an addition. Same with a church building. I certainly don't object to having all the space we need - if we can afford to build it which is predicated upon adequate fundraising, consistent membership increased giving, and the ability to maintain it. Our history has not shown these things to my knowledge. How many of our people showed to help paint the grange? I KNOW God will help us get there, but I have a big fear of getting in over our heads - which we have a real, serious, obligation to not do - to protect the church at all costs. I fully expect this project will run far more that initial quotes - they always do. Those that give from their hearts, EXPECT to see us grow and prosper. At present we have roughly 45 average attendees. Do we need a building that will seat 100 people - yes in due time. But do we need it now? I fully support doing a "future expansion" proposal or "plan for growth" (the dotted lines on a set of plans).

Am I being irrational and in need of a body slam??? (lol)

Perhaps this design is not a practicle plan for us and maybe we need to re-think this. This is exactly why these plans were done - for dialogue and movement. I love it!

Craig

posted by Craig @ 3:00 PM

Mcnight plans