Another Step Toward Making Room!

Chris Sealy, Project Management Posse

It’s a beauty. The hot-off-the-presses Making Room Space Criteria Document is ready for you to peruse!! Click here to read it.
 
Why the exclamation points?  And why would you want to check it out?

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After the congregation voted overwhelmingly last spring (87%) to pursue options for a larger property for our vibrant congregation, we knew we needed to get specific about our true space needs.  What kind of space do we need to serve our current and future worship, music, programming, religious education, fellowship, justice work and community partnering activities? 

We held meetings, and forums. We dot-voted on design images. The amazing Kevin Keady, a JUC member/architect/generous volunteer, held meetings with groups of key lay leaders and staff to delve into the nitty gritty of space needs. Then, in compiling all of that input, he added IT needs, suggestions on space adjacencies, and actual square footage recommendations.  And finally, Posse Lead Debby Bower transformed it into a highly readable and unquestionably useful 24-page document (with more than 100 pages of appendices) that details what a larger JUC campus could be. PHEW! (See an example below)

When you have a few minutes, check it out, remembering when we DO find a property to put before you, our future architects will love us for all the planning work we’ve done.  And when you see Kevin and Debby, say thanks!

Example from Space Criteria Document: 

The Community Hall is a new function for JUC. It is intended to be a large flexible gathering space that is not the sanctuary or the chapel. The space should be able to accommodate up to 250-300 occupants for various functions such as the yearly auction, sit down receptions, lectures, youth events, memorial services, etc. The community hall is also not a gym. Though certain circumstances may require the use of a gym in order to accommodate the higher end of the occupant requirement. The events less than 200 occupants could use a smaller space that is not a gym. The space should have an outdoor connection.

Technical requirements –
● AV/IT systems with projection screen
● Good acoustics
● Distributed power
● Daylight controls (shades)

Some primary adjacencies should be ...
● Catering kitchen
● Outdoor space (if possible)
● Restrooms
● Storage