Cover Your Bases with Multi-Use Spaces
How to plan buildings that maximize ministry function

By Jerry Halcomb, AIA CSI

One of the greatest things about the opportunity to help churches in facility planning and expansion is seeing God at work. Many times in the past, for example, property critically needed for church expansion (but has never been available) suddenly--at just the right time (God's timing)--becomes available.

Over the years, we have seen this tangible example occur many times in our projects. Even though God may at times elect to provide the needed additional property, it's always a good policy to practice good stewardship of all with which we've been blessed, and maximize the use of our church property and facilities. Here are some of the best ways to do that.

Prayer. When preparing to enter into a building program, always start with prayer. In Jeremiah 33:3, we are told, "Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which you knowest not." When assembling the project's committee structure, appoint a Prayer Committee to encourage each other, the staff and the congregation to bathe the project in prayer from start to finish, and see how God leads.

Programming. Stated simply, this is a document of the needs and goals for the project. (It's a mistake to begin the design process before you identify these.) The ability to monitor costs also begins at this stage. The program process also should include the required or desired relationships of one functional spade to another, and to prioritize. This is the place to first consider what functions should be planned for flexibility, expandability, convertibility and future potential uses of the spaces. Take the time to project facility needs into the future.

Planning. This is the fun part: the point at which a comprehensive Master Plan is developed for the first and for future phases. The Master Plan becomes your roadmap for current and future projects. Depending on the individual project and its complexity, this plan can take a very comprehensive development approach or a simpler block area layout approach. A Master Site Plan approach shows the relationships of buildings on the site but typically doesn't feature room layouts for each phase of the project. This approach does keep initial planning fees lower, but in many cases doesn't "prove out" the plan for phase one and future phases. (This becomes even more important when churches try to be "out-of-the-box" creative to maximize the impact of each ministry with existing facilities to get the most out of its facility.)

Taking time to prepare a Master Plan is one of the most important things a committee can do to get the most for its money, stay on track, and maximize facilities for their intended purposes. It provides the document or yardstick to help keep and eye on long-range, ultimate development. A good Master Plan helps churches get the right place at the right time.

Proceed. Upon approval of the Master Plan, you have your "roadmap" and can proceed with Phase 1 planning and construction. The Master Plan should periodically review and update the Master Plan as time passes and ministries change. Beneficial ideas include:

Look at other facilities. See what other churches have done and what has worked. It's very important to take your architect with you on these trips, not just so he can see the facilities but because it allows him to hear your reactions. This has made a big difference in the success of our past projects.

Get the committee, the staff and the congregation involved. They should help brainstorm. Meet with the staff "users" on a one-on-one basis to review their individual ministry areas. In addition to brainstorming with the committee, you can also brainstorm and involve the congregation with a church-wide "Dream Nights." Begin with a short slide presentation to introduce the upcoming planning and building process, break into small groups for a 45-minute input gathering session, then come back together for a two-minute reporting time from the small group leaders. Conclude by passing out a questionnaire to be filled out individually and returned with any additional comments. This lets everyone know the planning process has begun and gives everyone an opportunity for input. Discuss creative ways to use the facilities for multiple uses.

Keep a balanced facility. Consider adding ministries to share the same spaces--such as Christian school, weekday recreation programs, child care or daycare, conferences and concerts--and consider catering food service to outside churches.

Plan spaces to accommodate multiple functions. A worship space could be designed for worship on Sunday morning and for theater or drama at another time. Rigging and other special considerations can be planned and included in the initial design.

Use the same space for several activities, such as worship, education and dining. Design classrooms to be opened up for AWANA or other activities. Be sure to consider acoustics and noise control in these spaces. Provide people spaces that not only move people but also offer an area for fellowship, or a chance to get a cup of coffee, read or study. These spaces can also be used for dining, wedding and receptions. Design a multi-use interim worship center that can attract outside business users or organizations that may want to rent it, and become familiar with the facility and its ministries.

Plan for current and future use. This 4,100-seat, 360-degree in-the-round worship center will later become a family life center with four gymnasiums.

Plan for expansion and conversion. This family life center opens up to convert to a 2,100-seat worship center by using creative design, movable walls, motorized movable stadium seating and dual lighting systems.

Other recommendations:

• Involve as many as possible, but keep the committee small.
• Bring the architect on board very early in the process.
• Choose an architect experienced with growing church planning and design.
• Let your architect represent you throughout the project.
• Provide plenty of storage space, especially in multi-use facilities.
• Provide plenty of restrooms, especially for women.
• Fund maintenance.
• Keep good records.
• Fast is good. "Fast track" is not.
• Do value engineering early in the process.
• Count the cost. Cheap is not always better. Good stewardship is critical.

Jerry Halcomb is a founding principal of HH Architects in Dallas, Texas. He has specialized in large church master planning and facility design for 30 years. Halcomb has also been an active member of First Baptist Church Dallas, where he now serves as a deacon, for 36 years.