Church Executive Magazine Presents: Interior Elements by Power Trade Media

HELPING LEADERS BECOME BETTER STEWARDS

Interior Elements

JUNE/JULY 2014 MARCH 2014

A selection guide — from seating, to pulpits, to carpet (and beyond)

MARCH | 2014

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FE ATURES THE WORSHIP SEATING INVESTMENT

Whether your church is renovating an existing space, or building a new one, worship seating represents a major investment for your congregation. A myriad of choices is available — type, style and options. So, asking the right questions of a potential seating supplier can eliminate confusion, help to narrow your search, and save time. By John Chastain

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

A SAFE PLACE TO STAY

A church’s pulpit is the focal point of the platform — during service times and beyond. It’s far more than just a place for the pastor to rest notes, a Bible and an iPad; it should also be a reflection of the church’s message and values through its style, quality and artwork. For this reason, it serves as one of your most important church furnishing decisions. By Steve Antunes

An outreach-minded Massachusetts church creates four bedrooms in the church — using room dividers — so that families in need have a safe, warm place to sleep. By RaeAnn Slaybaugh

CARPETS HAVE COME A LONG WAY UNDER FOOT

THE CASE FOR MAXIMIZING YOUR SPACE

Today’s carpet can be made from recycled materials, and are readily recycled at the end of their lifespan. By Ronald E. Keener

Right now, construction and design experts will tell you that among their church clients, renovation or expansion of existing spaces is very common. They say there’s a good reason for this: “A church that has established an identity in the community often is hindered by relocating rather than changing who they are, where they are. By RaeAnn Slaybaugh

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Ask the right questions to make an informed decision.

BY JOHN CHASTAIN

Whether your church is renovating an existing space or building a new one, worship seating represents a major investment for your congregation. A myriad of choices is available — type, style and options. So, asking the right questions of a potential seating supplier can eliminate confusion, help to narrow your search, and save time. The following guidelines for two of the most popular types of congregational seating — pews and auditorium seating — will help you gather the appropriate knowledge to make an informed decision about one of the largest expenditures in your church’s building or remodeling project. >>

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10 QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT PEWS While worship seating options have greatly increased in recent years, pews continue to be a popular choice for churches of every denomination. But, it can be challenging to determine the difference between a poorand good-quality supplier and product. To that end, there are 10 questions to ask before a final decision is made. This way, your church can be confident it’s practicing good stewardship. 1) How stable is the company? What information can the company provide to your church in regard to its corporate health? A Dun and Bradstreet financial rating is a good place to start. Stable companies have been in continuous operation, in the same location, under the same ownership, for a period longer than their warranty. Further, ask an architect with significant church project experience which pew companies he trusts. 2) How is the project handled, from pre-order to post-installation? Insist on: • A local representative who will answer many of these 10 questions, as well as provide product samples and timely on-site service (including as-built field measurements). • A dedicated factory project coordinator to shepherd the order through production and delivery. • A CAD operator responsible for the scale seating plan

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drawing, based on field measurements. • On-time installation. Check with architects and church references regarding which companies have consistent lead times and install as promised. • Terms; a deposit will be required, but the balance shouldn’t be due until after the pews are installed. 3) Can several project references — within reasonable driving distance — be provided? Visiting actual installations that aren’t brand-new is a proven way to evaluate how well products perform over time. 4) Is a wide variety of worship products and options available? If your straight or radius pews, choir chairs, pulpit and custom furniture can be provided by the same source, your church will save time and limit risks. 5) What types of assurances of material quality can be provided? What wood will be used? An on-site factory pre-dryer and kiln-dryer ensures that the wood will be milled at the optimum moisture level. Note that “solid wood” alone doesn’t guarantee quality. Answers to Question No. 8, below, are more reliable indicators. What type of fabric will be used? Fabrics should be independently rated as heavy duty and include stain resistance. COMs (customer’s own material) should be an option, but only if the pew company pre-tests the fabric.

What will the finishing process entail? A combination of hand and mechanical application works well. Additionally, a topcoat of catalyzed varnish is more resilient than a lacquer finish. 6) Are several choices of wood species and fabric patterns available? Quality companies offer several species of wood and more than one type of cut. In terms of fabric selection, the choice is easier when a wide variety of pattern choices â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not just a few â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are available. 7) Are several seat and back choices available to suit your unique needs? An ergonomically contoured seat base under the seat cushion is more comfortable than a flat seat base. Seat options should include high-density (HD) or high-resiliency (HR) seat foam, spring seats, divided seats and wood seat options. Too much foam (4 inches or more) on a flat seat can trap heat, and it tends to cause the fabric to stretch more than it should, which can lead to wrinkling. Multiple seat back options for lumbar support should be available. For kneelers, cold-molded foam that wraps over the edges of the substrate provides better comfort and holds its shape well. 8) How are issues such as design, joinery and attachments used to enhance durability? Ends may be routed to receive seats and backs. A back attachment may be fastened to the seat with screws, not nails; screws should be driven into solid wood. Cap rails should offer tongue-and-groove construction for attachment to the back, preventing loosening. Contoured seat bases can use the engineering principle of the arch to provide superior strength, and to prevent sagging without adding the bulkiness of additional boards. Fasteners should never be exposed. Finally, when longer lengths are spliced, a support should be located directly under the splice, and concealed turnbuckles should be used to tighten sections together. 9) How are the pews installed? And, what does the warranty include? Installation should be based on an approved CAD drawing. Pews should be assembled and anchored by experienced pew installers. Supports should be scribed to their specific position before anchoring to ensure a permanent, tight fit. Warranties should cover 25 years for wood and 15 years for upholstery foam/ fabric. Non-prorated coverage is best. >>

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10) What’s the initial price and long-term cost of ownership? Many church leaders admit that they used price to qualify potential suppliers before asking any of the first nine questions above, only to regret it later. Higher-quality pews will be more expensive, but they’ll also be more comfortable, look better and last longer. Here’s a basic cost comparison: Lower-quality pews: $50,000 / 25 years = $2,000 / year = $167 / month, plus maintenance costs Better-quality pews: $60,000 / 25 years = $2,400 / year = $200 / month with no maintenance costs

10 QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT AUDITORIUM SEATING Although potentially higher in cost than pews or chairs, auditorium- or theater-style seating for worship areas has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years. With so many choices available, there are some important questions for every church committee to ask before making a decision. 1) How much experience does the manufacturer have with religious institutions? Most auditorium seating was originally designed for theaters and stadiums. Churches have unique needs that aren’t always understood by firms with little worship seating experience. There are distinct advantages to working with a company that has a reputation for professional church project management. 2) Is the product produced in the United States, or does the company rely on foreign parts and assembly? The latter might be subject to political issues or shipping delays. Look for companies that source at least 75 percent of component parts domestically and

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perform 100 percent of assembly domestically. 3) What materials are used in the seat and back cushions? Are they shaped to follow the body contour? Is the seat substrate also contoured? Cold-molded foam designed specifically for the seats and backs allows ergonomic contouring and will hold its shape better over time than other foams. A contoured seat substrate will be more comfortable than a flat seat base. 4) Does the system rely on a spring-lift mechanism, or is it designed to let gravity retract the seat? Gravity-lift systems are quiet and will stay quiet, while mechanical methods tend to be noisier — especially after years of use. 5) Are the cushions designed for easy removal? And, is there provision for replacing the seat and back covers without the cost of a professional upholsterer? Can the various seating component parts be easily replaced if needed? The cost of ownership is much less if the answer to these questions is “yes.” 6) Can the seating be aligned with aisles without the use of several different seat sizes, which affects overall appearance? Are wider seats available for specified areas if you want to provide for larger people? Are removable units offered? Can arms, drink holders or other accessories be added later if needed? Many churches see their needs change over time and need seating that can grow with them. 7) When seats are in the up position, is the profile 19 inches deep or less? A slim profile provides for more standing and walking space. And, comfort

doesn’t have to be sacrificed if the seats and backs are contoured with high-quality foam. 8) How much maintenance will be needed or required? For seating systems with springs, some manufacturers require regular lubrication to maintain the warranty. This can be time-consuming if the mechanism isn’t easy to reach, adding cost to ownership. 9) Does the company have a reputation for timely performance, or have there been issues from time to time? Ask an architect who works on church projects in your area for input. Insist on reference installation locations. 10) Is the company willing to send a professional representative with product samples, or will it simply ship them to you for inspection? Most churches have little or no experience with this type of seating, making it difficult to understand what they’re seeing — and the samples can’t speak! Take the time to schedule a meeting with an experienced professional who can provide the information you need, and to answer questions that inevitably arise.

Decision time! Often, the individuals involved in the purchasing decision of worship seating — pastors and building committee volunteers, typically — will only make this type of purchase once in a lifetime. As such, choosing a supplier that’s willing and able to provide the knowledge, support and education needed to make an informed decision is critical. The guidelines above will help decision-makers feel confident in their choice of a seating supplier and help alleviate the pressure of choosing seating products for the church. CE

Radiance Curved Pews TM

Radiance is Sauder® Worship Seating’s debut into the curved pew market, and the direct result of extensive research and design based on architect, designer and customer influences. Radiance curved pews are manufactured to exact location specifications; the curve of each pew is calculated and engineered to the precise concentric radius required for the worship space for a truly customized seating layout. Seats feature the company’s unique ergonomic contour and are constructed of solid hardwood staves for enduring support and natural aesthetics. Radiance curved pews are covered by the same 25-year warranty as Sauder’s straight pews. The new product line coordinates with a full line of accessories and is available in eight standard wood species and 11 finish colors. Sauder Worship Seating is internationally recognized as one of the United States’ oldest and foremost design-manufacturing firms for worship furniture and is considered a premier resource for innovative seating products. Sauder provides CAD-driven space planning and layouts, seating consultation and complete project management, from planning through installation. sauderworship.com (800) 537-1530

John Chastain of Chastain Associates in Maineville, OH, is the territory sales representative for Sauder® Worship Seating.

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MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE When it comes to interior elements in a worship space, a pulpit speaks perhaps the loudest.

BY STEVE ANTUNES

to more frequent replacement, as the piece breaks or wears out. As you move up the price scale, the pulpit benefits from better materials — glass and higher-quality wood, for example. Also, such pulpits usually arrive fully and professionally assembled. (In other words, an enthusiastic church volunteer — armed with bad instructions and a hammer — won’t be necessary.)

So many choices!

Other important selection criteria

There are pulpits available for all budgets and church decors. So, where do you start? As you begin the search, keep in mind that this piece is an expression of the church’s identity to attendees, the pastoral team and guest speakers. As such, the immediate draw of the lowest-cost option isn’t the best route. Lower-cost options include “assembleit-yourself” wood or plastic lecterns. And, as with most things, spending less up front ends up costing more in the long term. The inferior construction and materials of a bargain pulpit lead

Castors — These are a definite must. Today’s platforms need to be flexible and quickly rearranged. Extended breaks during the service to move the pulpit around the platform can be eliminated with a rolling pulpit. Worship teams and youth groups are then free to use the platform without the need for a moving crew. Castors (yes, again) — Pulpits without castors are typically dragged when moved. This places an extreme amount of strain on the furnishing’s joints, causing the joints to loosen over time. The result is a creaky, loose-feeling pulpit. Wheels do all the work and ensure a long-lasting, swayfree piece. The right height and width — A pulpit that’s too large looks like a whale in a kiddie pool. On the other hand, a pulpit that’s too small resembles a scarecrow in a farmer’s field. A good consultant can guide you in choosing the piece that’s right for both the pastor and the platform. Sturdiness. Anyone who has spoken behind a cheap pulpit knows it. Look for a piece that’s sturdy. If you’re confident in your pulpit, you’re free to lean on it and focus on your sermon. Longevity of design — An all-steel pulpit might look cool today, but is it something that will stand the test of time? What might match the decor of today might be dated in five years. Space for a glass of water. You can’t preach if you have a dry throat!

The clear choice Today, the trend is toward transparent furnishings made of glass or plastics. These allow members to see everything at the front of the church, without any blind spots. Their transparent nature opens up the platform and allows light to illuminate the area. A transparent furnishing is also a chameleon, blending

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itself into its surroundings. Unlike wood or metal options, this allows you to update your decor multiple times without worrying if the pulpit will match. Often, this eliminates the need to buy a new pulpit with each sanctuary “refresh.” As a glass pulpit manufacturer, I’m a bit biased toward the quality and longevity of glass as a construction material, as opposed to materials such as plastic. Glass is more scratch-resistant than plastic, doesn’t discolor over time, and provides a very solid feel and an elegant sheen. (After all, how often do we put plastic windows in churches?)

A branding opportunity Over the past several years, the importance of church branding has come to the forefront. Branding creates familiarity and a sense of belonging for existing members. It also introduces the church’s identity to new members. To this end, the front of your pulpit is a valuable piece of real estate. Highquality artwork is, therefore, important. For churches that offer video broadcasts or live streaming of services, the constant presence of the logo serves both as advertizing and as a time-saving feature for post-production, eliminating the need to add the church’s name. The space is there, so use it wisely. Often times, worshippers won’t notice if the church carpet or paint is a little older. But, if the pulpit looks old, worn and dated, it will stand out — and not in a good way. Is your sanctuary looking tired, like you’re on a limited budget? If so, a new pulpit is often the quickest and most cost-effective way to refresh your platform. CE Steve Antunes is a pulpit specialist with Prestige Pulpits in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

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For Rockport First Congregational Church, Lake Zurich, IL-based Screenflex designed four family bedrooms using 6’8”-high dividers. These spaces provide transitional housing for members in need.

An outreach-minded Massachusetts church creates four bedrooms in the church — using room dividers — so that families in need have a safe, warm place to sleep. In 2009, leaders at First Congregational Church of Rockport in Rockport, MA, were approached by the Family Promise organization, which was facing a lack of emergency beds for homeless families. Today, the church’s bedrooms house up to 14 people at a time. The program is called Family Promise North Shore Boston. On Sunday mornings, after worship services, the four bedrooms are set up — two in a Sunday school classroom and an adjoining nursery, and two in the fellowship hall, separated by Screenflex portable dividers. Breakfast and dinner are provided. Families stay for one week and then move on to another host church in the network. “Our church sees families at least four weeks per year,” says Outreach Committee Chair James Reed. Reed says the church is gratified by the knowledge that it’s doing what it’s called to do. “The community sees we’re a church that uses our faith to do good works for all,” he says. “That may have benefits on Sunday mornings, when the doors open for worship.” Here, Reed tells us more of the story. How (and when) did the church identify the need to set up these safe, warm places to sleep within their facility? In 2009, Family Promise told us the Commonwealth of Massachusetts had a lack of emergency beds for homeless families, and were placing families in motel rooms. At that time, there were more than 100 families

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in motels in our general area. Today, there are more than 250, according to local anti- poverty groups like Habitat for Humanity and Beverly Bootstraps. Aside from room dividers, what kinds of materials were necessary to get these bedrooms up and running? The church trustees approved and then contracted for the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in the fellowship hall, which are hard-wired to the church alarm system. We appealed to the church and to other churches on Cape Ann, where we’re located, for sheets and blankets. Sheets and blankets were provided also by local inns and guest houses. Cots and pillows were provided by the network of churches engaged for this program. The fellowship hall has a kitchen from which we serve our guests dinner and breakfast. We also replaced the shades on all windows in the fellowship hall. How does the church decide which families will occupy the spaces? The church doesn’t take part in the process which approves families. Family Promise North Shore Boston hires a director and assistant director (both social workers) to vet guests, and then works with them to find housing. Program participants are restricted to families who aren’t chronically homeless and have no current drug, major psychiatric or abuse problems.

Logistically, how do the families come and go? Families arrive at the church daily at 6 p.m. from the network’s Day Center, which is about 20 miles away in Beverly, MA. We serve them dinner and, after clean-up, they’re free to do as they please until roughly 10 p.m., when church doors are locked by volunteers who sleep in the church for security. Frequently, families will walk around town after dinner. In the morning, the network van brings them to the Day Center. From there, children attend school, and parents leave for work.

What kinds of benefits has the church enjoyed as a result of setting up these bedrooms? This is an ecumenical effort, because other churches in Rockport and Gloucester — and organizations like Rotary — supply volunteers with food, material support. Ecumenical activities are rare here; all churches benefit from ecumenism. Now, we have a locus of care that extends throughout the church communities. Because we care for homeless families, we gain understanding of their circumstances, which helps to make us, potentially, activists for improved treatment from the political system. CE

How to divide and conquer (your space) BY RAEANN SLAYBAUGH Not all expansion needs are the same. For some churches, maximizing the space they have is the most sensible option. To this end, Rich Maas, vice president of Lake Zurich, IL-based Screenflex, acknowledges that room dividers are a big investment — but, as he points out, not nearly as expensive as breaking ground and building new. “We’re really good at knowing how to maximize space,” Maas adds. “We’re architects.” And, like architects, Maas and his team emphasize that there’s no one-size-fits-all room divider; the ideal height and finish will vary by the space. “Lots of churches outgrow their sanctuaries and repurpose them as multipurpose spaces,” he offers by way of example. “They often take out the pews and use these facilities as ‘sanctoriums.’” Many of these spaces come complete with exceptionally high, sloped ceilings — not, as one might assume, a significant issue when considering room dividers. When asked how tall room dividers can conceivably be, Maas replies: “I’ll give you the practical answer first: They can be as high as a church wants them to be. But, even with a 20-foot ceiling, why go taller than the maximum height of 8 feet? We say, ‘Save yourself some money.’ Even a 6-foot, or 6-foot-8-inch, divider is plenty high — and, typically, easy to store.” He explains the troubled physics of choosing a super tall, custom-designed room divider: It requires a bigger base. A divider beyond the largest standardsize model offered by Screenflex — 8 feet high x 24 feet wide — would require a larger end frame (the depth of the divider when folded up) than the standard 29-inch one. “Doorways are only so wide and tall,” he explains. “So, getting extra-tall dividers in and out of a space, or storage, can become a challenge.”

Room dividers at New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville, GA, make the worship space truly multifunctional.

Realistically, Maas contends that an 8’ divider is as high as any church would need. “Eight feet accommodates tall people just fine,” he says. Or, if the space has 8-foot ceilings, a 7-foot-4-inch unit would work better. “That accommodates room for lighting, ventilation and so on,” Maas says. “And, it’s still high enough that people feel like they’re in their own dedicated rooms.”

Consider your surroundings Most of the dividers Maas offers are fabric-covered, but that doesn’t mean they’re ideal for every space. “In a food-service area, food mess dictates a different kind of covering,” he explains. “Vinyl is a good option there. Aside from churches, hospitality is a big market for us, and they like variety. We offer eight to 10 different vinyl colors and about 25 different colors of fabric.” CE

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Today’s carpet can be made from recycled materials, and are readily recycled at the end of their lifespan.

BY RONALD E. KEENER

Some things don’t change much when it comes to choosing carpet for the church. The color of the sanctuary’s stage carpet and the runner up the middle aisle more often might be determined by the pastor’s wife or the favorite football team, says Bear Goolsby of Powers Goolsby Architects, Universal City, TX, which has a number of church clients in

Still, other things are changing. “Eco-friendly carpets have really come to the front,” Goolsby says. “Not only are many carpet fibers and backings made from recycled materials, but they are designed to be readily recycled at the end of their lifespan. Stain resistance in carpet has greatly improved due to the dying process and you can even find some carpet with a polarity charged fiber that is designed to resist coffee stains.” The people at the well-known Milliken floor covering division pride themselves on offering unlimited customization options. “Through a unique blend of science and design, our floor covering collections help the architecture and design industry achieve inspiring design solutions,” says Milliken’s Bob Baird, general manager of global commercial carpet. Baird says that floor coverings are chosen on the basis of function, aesthetics and performance and “no one floor covering will fulfill all requirements.” “Churches want carpet solutions that are architecturally consistent with their surrounding space. They want floor covering that will perform well over time and stand up to heavy traffic. They want a solution that can be easily maintained with a welcoming aesthetic and quality finish,” says Baird. “And, they want a provider they can trust to meet their diverse floor covering needs in a timely, hassle-free manner with a seamless installation.” Bear Goolsby says that more churches are

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looking at other floor coverings than carpet. “Stained concrete has been around for a while and is very popular due to the visual appeal, durability and easy maintenance, but care must be taken to ensure proper staining and polishing,” he says. • “Wood look, ceramic tiles are very popular for high traffic areas. These tiles give the look of a wood floor and the durability of tile,” he adds. • “Bamboo flooring options have also become very popular to their durability and style options. Being sustainable, many manufacturers have created several bamboo products and made it an affordable option.” And when it comes to color, there is much beyond the usual beige from which to choose. Says Goolsby: “We’ve moved from reds, to browns and blues to green and warm greys. If you are using a multi colored carpet, you have so many options available, from just one swatch, to pull several paint schemes.” “Churches are asking for colors that complement the intended purpose and aesthetic for each space,” Baird agrees. “Sanctuaries should be inviting, so there is certainly a trend toward rich colors, such as dark reds and deep blues and greens. If they choose a neutral color, warm beige tones are very popular as they portray a welcoming aesthetic. “Patterns that tend to work well in these spaces are small in design and feature motifs specifically chosen to accentuate and enhance the building’s >>

Photo courtesy of Milliken

48 states.

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Photo courtesy of Powers Goolsby Architects

Photo courtesy of Milliken

existing architecture,” Baird says. Goolsby says that he has clients determined to use a solid color carpet. “As great as today’s carpets are, the traffic generated by a congregation over a few years will wear down a solid-color carpet. We do our best to show people how using a patterned, multi-colored carpet will not show traffic patterns as fast; plus, the patterned carpets help to hide dirt and trouble spots that creep up in church facilities,” he says. Building committees should decide in their selections on how well the carpet holds its color, how well it will hold up to traffic, and the availability of coordinating carpets, says Goolsby. Milliken’s Baird says that durability and the intended use of the space determine the specific type of carpet necessary. “Sanctuaries are best suited for broadloom applications, while modular carpet is more appropriate for areas where congregations gather to share food and refreshments, as it’s easier to maintain and replace.” When it comes to coffee and food, Goolsby says “some manufacturers recommend using vinegar to help remove coffee stains, while you can find a carpet that has looked at the molecular structure, but they have fixed the polarity of the fiber to aid in the repelling of acidic stains.” But the best advice, he says: “We recommend asking people to leave the coffee in the lobby, and preferably where the tile is.” CE Ronald E. Keener is the former editor of Church Executive Magazine. This article originally appeared in our October 2012 issue.

DEALING WITH THOSE AWFUL COFFEE STAINS Vacuuming is the most critical component in maintaining carpet. Supplement this with spot cleaning, and use a professional cleaner on a routine basis to maintain the life and beauty of your church’s flooring. So says Stephen Lewis, technical director for LaGrange, GA-based MilliCare, the textile and carpet care unit of Milliken Flooring. And for high traffic areas, Lewis says the answer is “vacuum, vacuum and vacuum.” “Dry soil damages carpet fibers and is the reason carpet develops wear patterns,” he says. “By removing this soil frequently, especially after a service or event, you will dramatically extend your carpet’s appearance.” And those coffee stains? “General-purpose spot cleaners can usually remove the typical coffee stain completely,” he says. “However, decaffeinated coffee can actually ‘dye’ nylon carpet fibers, making it difficult to remove. These stains can be eliminated with spot cleaning products called reducing agents. They remove oxygen from the stain to bleach it clear and require activation with heat — often with a steam iron.” But Lewis advises that only a trained professional should attempt this, as there is the potential to damage the carpet due to the use of heat. Oxidizing agents with hydrogen peroxide might also bleach the stain clear. As for food stains, Lewis says that while many products claim to be allpurpose stain removers, the truth is that there is no perfect solution. “Most water-soluble cleaners will remove food related stains, but fail to eliminate grease and oily soils,” he advises. “The key is to have two or three different kinds of carpet cleaning solutions on hand to deal with a variety of stain types.” What’s the “green” movement’s implications for carpets? “The most environmentally friendly products have third-party green certifications. Choose carpet cleaning systems that use less water and energy — but are still effective at removing soil,” Lewis says. “While these processes are considered ‘green,’ the most important thing you can do from an environmental standpoint is keep your carpet installed as long as possible. When properly maintained, commercial carpet can last for many years before having to be disposed of.” Finally, what vacuum product works best? Lewis says to choose a commercial upright vacuum with a beater brush. These machines are the best at removing dry soil in any home or facility. CE

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Right now, construction and design experts will tell you that among their church clients, renovation or expansion of existing spaces is very common. Experts like Rodney C. James, business manager / director of finance at Daniels & Daniels Construction in Broken Arrow, OK, say there’s a good reason for this: “A church that has established an identity in the community often is hindered by relocating rather than changing who they are, where they are.” To this end, Craig Krawczyk, architect/ principal at LIVE Design Group in Birmingham, AL, says the majority of his firm’s projects have a renovation component, now. “It’s typical that a church builds a new worship facility adjacent an

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existing facility and repurposes that existing space.” His colleague, Aubrey Garrison, AIA — founding principal of the firm — agrees. These days, he says, church clients often reimagine their outgrown space as a youth sanctuary and children’s space.

Know the signs If you think it might be time to renovate or expand at your own church, it helps to know the signals. Capacity cues. Church construction and design experts acknowledge an oft-cited expansion benchmark: when seating reaches 80-percent capacity. While Daniels & Daniels’ Rodney C. James generally agrees, he says a church should begin planning for expansion at 60- or 70-percent capacity if it’s growing at a healthy pace. “You don’t want to reach the 80- or 90-percent mark and begin a decline before taking action,” he warns.

Sometimes, renovation or expansion makes more sense than new construction.

BY RAEANN SLAYBAUGH

In 2011, Sequoyah Hills Baptist Church in Tulsa, OK —a 55-year-old facility — received a complete renovation. This included transforming an outdated library and conference room to an inviting lobby and reception area. (Photos courtesy of Churches by Daniels Construction)

On the other hand, he asserts that renovation (versus expansion) is the best option for churches that are growing, have adequate parking to accommodate that growth, and whose facilities are in good mechanical and structural condition. “In these cases, there’s often no need to incur the expense of new land, new infrastructure (utilities, site work and so on), and often zoning and permitting challenges,” he explains. “The best use of funds can be to renovate existing facilities. Another “green light” indicator for renovation is declining capacity, according to James. “If the church isn’t reaching the community, perhaps it’s because their facilities need a facelift — a repurposing, or possibly even a dramatic change.” Small groups growth. Many churches built decades ago have classrooms built to accommodate 10 to 15 people. Today, however, many small groups welcome between 20 and 50 people at once.

Scott M. Ladd, marketing manager at ModernFold in Greenfield, IN, witnesses this kind of space crunch all the time. “We find that church facilities look to make changes to their space maximization when things just aren’t working anymore — when they’ve started to outgrow what the space was originally designed for, or when new space demands arise,” he says. At these junctures, operable partitions warrant consideration, on a retrofit basis. “We really like to get ahead of this need on new church construction projects,” Ladd emphasizes. This means consulting with the architect and interior designer during the design phase to determine how various spaces >>

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within the church will be used. Doing so enables Ladd and his team to advise on the proper partition product and layout — for now and for the future. Shifting worship style. As more and more churches elect to offer contemporary worship services, many are finding that their sanctuaries don’t exactly scream “modern.” Beyond the structure itself, this style of service necessitates A/V elements that a church might not have prioritized before: video projection, theatrical lighting, moving lights, environmental projection, updated sound systems, and expanding stages to accommodate new band instruments, to name just a few. “Church has changed more in the last decade than it has in the last several decades,” Daniels & Daniels’ Rodney C. James explains. “The greatest shift has been in the worship facilities needing to accommodate the contemporary feel.” Changing worshipper demographics. These days, a healthy faction of church architecture and design experts assert that the ideal facility balances worship seating requirements with children’s space requirements. LIVE Design Group’s Aubrey Garrison is among them. “As a church grows, the demographics between these two can change and create an imbalance,” he shares. “Inadequacies in either worship seating or children’s space can limit a church’s growth.” Because each church and its facilities is unique, he recommends an informed space study to help guide future building or renovation decisions. Craig Krawczyk agrees that when children’s education space is maxed out, it’s time to consider an expansion project. “Full children’s spaces indicate good growth — but it also starts turning parents away,” he warns. “For most churches, the size of children’s space drives the size of the rest of the facility.” A new fellowship feel. Beyond worship areas, architects suggest that a new generation of worshippers is looking for “gathering spaces.” As Rodney C. James points out, this is a group of individuals who meets up at Starbucks and gathers at the mall, socially.

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At Concord United Methodist Church in Knoxville, TN, acoustical partitions hide band equipment in a multi-use worship room. Custom cut-outs ensure the space’s stained glass windows are always visible.

St. Agnes Catholic Church in Concord, CA, features a full-height, custom mural made of glass partitions which divide the lobby and worship areas. Photo courtesy of ModernFold.

One of the fastest-growing churches in the country, First Hattiesburg (Hattiesburg, MS) renovated a multipurpose space — the original worship room — into a state-of-the-art, 350-seat annex sanctuary called the “North Venue.” (Photos courtesy of LIVE Design Group)

“So, churches are stepping up and creating warm, welcoming places to hang out and experience fellowship before and between services,” he says. This trend has taken shape in the widespread addition of coffee shops, seating areas and informal gathering places in churches, all of which have led the way in renovations and space maximization efforts.

Is your space expansion- or renovation- ready? Some facilities lend themselves to renovation or expansion better than others. So, what should you look for in your own spaces? According to LIVE Design Group’s Craig Krawczyk, steel construction is the most economical and flexible construction method to modify. Meanwhile, structural masonry is much less economical and more difficult to modify, and pre-engineered metal buildings can be renovated on the interior, but provide challenges when connecting them to newly constructed additions. Also, recent code changes make adding to existing facilities more difficult, as his colleague, Aubrey Garrison, points out. For example, an existing church might not have a sprinkler system, but a new worship space would likely require one. “Careful planning can add the new worship space in a way that provides fire separation between the new construction and the existing building,” he explains. Even adding partitions comes with some architectural considerations. According to ModernFold’s Scott M. Ladd, overhead support is a key element, as partitions are hung using an overhead suspension system. Even so, the company offers a truss system to carry the weight of the partition if overhead support is missing. The system can be finished to match the partitions and

the surroundings. It is brought into the facility in small pieces and assembled onsite, so there’s no need for large equipment.

Not your grandfather’s expansion project Aside from bricks-and-mortar expansion, churches are also thinking outside the box when it comes to making the most of the space they have — or renovating an existing space. According to Daniels & Daniels’ Rodney C. James, one major trend is using “other” types of facilities to accommodate church growth. “When a church is growing, often the first building project isn’t a new facility, but the renovation of an old grocery store, an abandoned big box store, or a lumber yard/warehouse building.” In other facilities, divvying up existing space more creatively has proven to be the best expansion option. ModernFold’s Scott M. Ladd cites the example of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Concord, CA, which used glass partitions to divide a lobby area from a worship area. “The unique feature of this application is the fullheight custom mural that was etched into the glass of each panel,” he says. “So, these partitions not only divide space effectively, they truly tell a story.” Another unique application — this one at Concord United Methodist Church in Knoxville, TN — uses acoustical partitions to hide band equipment in their multi-use worship room. Uniquely, these panels feature large, custom window cutouts so the stained glass windows are always visible in the background while the partitions are closed. CE

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