Engaging Spaces by Power Trade Media

HELPING LEADERS BECOME

B E T T E R S T E WA R D S .

Engaging Spaces Lobbies & Welcome Areas Presented by: HH Architects

CHURCH EXECUTIVE â&#x20AC;¢ E N G A G I N G S P A C E S : A L L F O R T H E K I D S

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Table of Contents ALL FOR THE KIDS

Designed and built with an amusement park in mind, the astonishing children’s education building at Crossroads sends a clear message: Children matter here. By Rebecca Flannery

3 KEY ELEMENTS FOR AN ENGAGING LOBBY OR WELCOME AREA

As church leaders, we need to break down barriers and create authentic spaces that allow for (and encourage!) this engagement. By Mark R Ashcraft with Bruce Woody, AIA

WHAT ENGAGES YOUTH?

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Engaging Spaces

All for the kids Designed and built with an amusement park in mind, the astonishing children’s education building at Crossroads sends a clear message: Children matter here. By Rebecca Flannery

Children’s spaces —above and beyond most other areas in a church — can afford to be hyper-engaging. To attract attention and produce a sense of belonging, there’s no better plan than to implement a children’s space that feels completely separate from the rest of the church building. Whether it’s through color, details, lighting or shape, playing up the element of creativity goes a long way in children’s spaces. An example of this can be found in the Crossroads Christian Church children’s building in Grand Prairie, TX. This theme park of a space was created strictly with children in mind. In fact, if an adult had walked in and felt comfortable in the space, we believe the job would have been a near-miss. With four theaters, a Main Street, a “jungle” gym (and an actual gym), classrooms — even an ice cream parlor! — Crossroads incorporates design and bright color to draw attention to the space. The art-deco theater style is apparent on the exterior and translates inside the building, complete with marquee lighting. These are only a few of the elements present in the impressive space. Design at the micro (vs. macro) level At Crossroads, engaging space design starts at the street level. Loud colors, geometric patterns in the exterior siding, and obtuse structures draw eyes from the existing worship facility to the grand children’s building. The disc lighting, in a starburst effect, and the illumination on the art-deco elements play up the overall theme.

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Getting down to the details (picking tactile elements, for example) was an important part of the Crossroads design process. Having mock buildings line the hallways of the Main Street meant taking into consideration what home building products are used in an actual setting; wooden shingles, brick, faux tree bark and lamp posts were all used to perpetuate the theme. Everything was put in its place knowing kids would go and look — and feel the space’s impact, as well. Sizing. Most design elements seen in the Main Street were designed on a 3/4 scale. Everything that would have been normal size (the storefronts, street lamps, windows, doors and so on) were thought down by 25 percent to drive home a pivotal idea: this building is for the kids. Effectiveness. Acoustic panels are needed in theaters, without question. Designing a theater consistent with quirky design — while including large acoustic panels — is another issue altogether. By strategically placing colorful acoustic panels on painted building murals, they resemble windows instead. Likewise, basketball courts aren’t typically the most colorful spot in a gym. But, by using a palette of five colors in the arrangement of an actual basketball court, the bright theme park aspect stays consistent.

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Different strokes. While this expansive children’s building is a dream come true for leaders at Crossroads, other churches might have something completely different in mind. Since tastes and programs are unique to every church, it’s important to listen to church leaders’ needs and challenges. Crossroads had a vibrant children’s program pre-dating their new building; they just needed a building to match those standards. Other children’s spaces we’ve designed take a completely different direction, using, for example, fewer patterns and detail in order to better showcase art children make in their art program. On a tight budget? While you might not have the budget to create a new child-sized theme park like Crossroads has, there are some techniques to keep in mind to help make existing children’s spaces engaging. The best way to enhance these areas — quickly — is to change the paint or carpet. By brushing on some fresh, in bright colors, the space opens up in a way a white room simply can’t. Take it a step further by investing in some child-sized furniture. Rebecca Flannery is Marketing Assistant at HH Architects in Dallas. [ hharchitects.com] Gary Kirchoff, AIA, LEED AP, CDT, is a principal at HH Architects. Kirchoff was the project manager for the Crossroads Christian Church children’s building. Nan Gammon, RID, LEED Green Associate, is in her 11th year serving as Director of Interiors for HH Architects. Gammon did the interior design for the Crossroads project. churchexecutive.com

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KEY ELEMENTS FOR AN ENGAGING LOBBY OR WELCOME AREA

By Mark R Ashcraft with Bruce Woody, AIA

Getting people to engage in today’s fast-paced culture is challenging, with all the competition for attention we carry with us. Yet, at our core, we’re all social creatures seeking connection — real connection. As church leaders, we need to break down barriers and create authentic spaces that allow for (and encourage!) this engagement.

In a church lobby or welcome area, there are several aspects — both horizontal and vertical — that create connection. Let’s focus on three key concepts: #1: First impressions One of the most influential roles a lobby can play is to make a great first impression. Lobbies have personalities that speak to guests and begin

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their experience — they need to speak to hospitality. As a person’s first point of contact with a facility, it must send the message: Welcome! We’re glad you’re here. Incorporating hospitality amenities allows for opportunities for people to connect at a conversational level, to slow down and let down their guard. Ample and varied seating areas give people options to gather and cultivate friendships with people they might have just met.

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At Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. (shown, left), seating incorporated along the edges of the main commons allows for these quick conversations without impeding traffic flow. A centrally located café with additional seating creates the opportunity for deeper connection — even becoming a destination itself. The use of glass and natural light is another way to enhance this welcoming feeling. Bright, open spaces feel comfortable, and being transparent is a good way to open doors to the community. Activity begets activity. Being able to see ministry on display invites and draws in curious seekers.

With proper wayfinding as a guide, lobbies can move people through a space during turnover between services, as well as provide areas to stop and connect. These two functions might seem opposed to each other, but a great lobby allows for both. It enables a sense of control at the user level, ultimately making guests feel more comfortable as they make spontaneous connections on their terms. By providing a strong first impression aligned with your unique brand and a well-planned design, you create a welcoming environment, setting the stage for connection to happen. We’re called to fellowship in Christ

#2: Brand integration A ministry’s brand should be considered as a design element. This is the easiest way to speak to the community and share a brand story that’s authentic and relevant. Every institution has an established identity that speaks to its core, to its philosophy of ministry. When someone walks into your facility, the building needs to speak the same language as your online and print presence to resonate with their expectations. This creates a more authentic experience. When Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco, Texas (above) decided it was time to relocate to continue its growth, one of the concerns was maintaining an established identity as a highly creative, communitydriven warehouse church. The design of the building references this identity, and specific elements throughout the campus help recall this vision to the average guest. #3: Wayfinding At their core, lobbies are connecting spaces. They move people from one space to another. To be effective, this should be an intuitive process. Both first-time guests and longtime members should be able to orient themselves and easily navigate the space. Architectural elements, lighting, seating groupings, finishes, materials and more can all be used to provide visual clues, along with well-placed signage. North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship Church in Plano, Texas (pictured, right) never had a significant lobby space before its current campus — just a maze of corridors. This was addressed by making the primary spaces accessible from a single, large commons across the front of the campus. No matter the door you enter, where you’re looking to go is visible. churchexecutive.com

and share the good news — we can start by removing our barriers and proclaiming: Welcome! We’re glad you’re here! Mark R Ashcraft is a senior associate of HH Architects [ www.hharchitects. com ] in Richardson, Texas. He serves as the Creative Director for the firm and has been blessed to work with many ministries during his 16-year tenure. Bruce Woody, AIA, is president & CEO of HH Architects. He speaks around the country about the importance of campus master planning and has been working with ministries for more than 30 years. E N G A G I N G S P A C E S : A L L F O R T H E K I D S • CHURCH EXECUTIVE

What engages youth? By Mark R Ashcraft with Bruce Woody, AIA

Youth face many challenges in our current culture, where feelings often trump facts and reality is the latest tweet gone viral. Even so, they’re still fundamentally on a formative journey of discovery; they’re still seeking their places in the world. We need to reach out and engage them if we’re to effectively guide and encourage them on this journey. So, what makes a space engaging to this group? Let’s talk about it. Seating and gaming at multiple levels provides opportunities to connect at First United Methodist Church in McKinney, Texas (Photo by Peter Calvin)

Think about spaces you enjoy — that coffee shop around the corner, or your favorite venue — and then ask, What is it I like about this place? Chances are your answers will have similarities to the typical teen. It needs to be active. It needs to be relational. It also needs to be authentic. These are three essential aspects for a space to be engaging.

Multipurpose venue that allows for worship, fellowship and learning at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn. (Photo by Henry Ambrose) 8

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Be active John 10:10 says “...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” — what an exciting statement full of anticipation! Youth are spontaneous and driven by experiences. They seek out fun, but they also long for deeper meaning. Yet, with limited attention spans and being bombarded by social media, they can be difficult to engage. Play to this by designing flex space that allows for the impromptu challenge of churchexecutive.com

Café open to the community at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn. (Photo by Henry Ambrose)

the day, or for small group discussions, or even for an intimate moment of prayer. Letting activity “happen” sets an environment that allows teens to be expressive and bring their creativity. First United Methodist Church in McKinney, Texas, uses an open concept with seating and game tables on multiple levels to create this sense of space. An assembly space directly off the commons helps reinforce a free-flow environment. Nothing creates more excitement than seeing a space full of activity. It pulls you in and creates an immersive experience where you can begin to form connections on a deeper level. Be relational Youth are emotive beings. A space that speaks to their needs and adapts to their wants will be successful in capturing their attention. It needs to be open and welcoming — a place where they want to hang out. It needs to be a refuge from the busy-ness, worry and pressure of their daily lives — a place they’ll feel comfortable and accepted. It needs to allow for connection with each other and with ministry leaders — a place where they can explore their faith. At Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco, Texas, the youth space is easy to find, both from the main commons and direct from the exterior. The hang space is designed with a variety of movable seating and game tables that can be set up as needed, becoming a place youth call their own. It has the ability to spill outside into an adjacent plaza if the moment calls for it; and when it’s time for worship, a dedicated venue provides the setting and opportunity for connecting. Be authentic Authenticity of your messaging is important to maintaining integrity. Youth are looking for ‘their’ place. Designs that connect youth to the wider church family, that encourage a multigenerational mix, create more opportunities to communicate to teens their value and allow for deeper connections in their faith journey. The Connection Center at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn., is a good example of bridging generations while still reaching each group individually. Stacked basketball cages, multiple seating areas, a community café, and a multi-use venue are used throughout the week by the church family — youth, college and adults. There is natural overlap in use of the space, while maintaining a sense of ownership for each user group. It reaffirms the desire for everyone to know Him and grow in their faith. churchexecutive.com

Youth Hang space showing flexible space/ connection to outside at Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco, Texas (Photo by Peter Calvin)

Youth worship venue at Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco, Texas (Photo by Peter Calvin)

Parting thoughts By creating space for youth that allows for activity — a space that creates energy; a space that can be a place of respite; a place for connection — we can continue to engage each new generation and help shepherd them on their journey into a stronger relationship with Christ. In Psalms 25, David writes: “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” Inspired words that should help us reach the fullness of life offered to all. Mark R Ashcraft is a senior associate of HH Architects in Dallas, Texas [ www.hharchitects.com ]. He serves as the Creative Director for the firm and has been blessed to work with many ministries during his 16-year tenure. Bruce Woody, AIA, is the president & CEO of HH Architects. He speaks around the country on the importance of campus master planning and has been working with ministries for more than 30 years. E N G A G I N G S P A C E S : A L L F O R T H E K I D S • CHURCH EXECUTIVE