Church design is, naturally, an extension of a church's brand. Through design, the different priorities of an individual church are highlighted and reinforced.
Whether the focus is on being inviting, inclusive and welcoming--or any of a number of overall ministry objectives--tight branding and intentionality in design are paramount.
To get a feel for emerging design trends leading into 2020, Church.Design sought out a number of design professionals that work heavily in the house of worship space. Time and again, these architects and other designers report that the church of 2020 will invest in connection space beyond traditional worship.
Following is a recap of leading designers' thinking.
+ immersive worship
The design of worship spaces involves the all-important criteria of “communication.” But it is more than that, notes David Shanks, president of Shanks Architects in Dallas. “The environment may be a great space for the pastor to preach, but inadequate acoustically for either presentational or congregational music, or [for] visual performance. There are many ways today’s technology creates a digital environment that addresses the visual and aural senses, and this trend will continue to advance.”
+ family ministry environments
“One trend in the design of children’s spaces is ‘un-theming’ of their environments,” says Stacy Cox, AIA, president of Studio Four Design in Knoxville, Tenn. “New and renovated spaces are moving away from highly themed environments to more simple solutions that can be quickly adapted to different settings, to keep spaces and learning environments fresh and engaging. Color and natural light remain key ingredients in the design of children’s spaces.”
“New and renovated [children's] spaces are moving away from highly themed environments to more simple solutions that can be quickly adapted to different settings." Stacy Cox, AIA, President, Studio Four Design, Knoxville, TN
+ connecting with the greater community
More churches are connecting with the surrounding community, some more successfully than others, says Shanks. “A church facility may be at the center of several acres surrounded by parking lots and busy streets. This can be a barrier to incidental connection to the community. The challenge is to make it easier to access the facility and have a weekday presence of destination and activity. The church should strive to not only engage the community but [to] be an example of how that surrounding community may shape itself and engage with the church.”
"The church should strive to not only engage the community but [to] be an example of how that surrounding community may shape itself and engage with the church.” David Shanks, AIA, LEED AP, President, Shanks Architects, Dallas, TX
+ security
Security is of premium importance, and architects are looking ahead at safety trends and risks for churches, says Joel Carr, director of business development and pre-construction for Churches by Daniels. “Churches can be vulnerable to acts of violence, and security is being implemented in more designs. Child protection plans are being put in place and lock-down doors are part of the design.”
Security is of premium importance, and architects are looking ahead at safety trends and risks for churches....
+ growing greener
"In my experience, faith-based facilities have generally lagged behind other buildings when it comes to sustainable design,” says James Theimer, AIA, founder and director of design for Trilogy Architecture. “With this year’s [new design] entrants, we found an increasing focus on innovative ways to ‘green’ faith-based structures – especially when it comes to passive energy – and often the form of the structure is expressive of energy conservation.”
+ geometric design
"There continues to be an evolution to complex geometric forms in design as advanced computer technology provides more opportunities to push the envelope on structure,” Theimer notes. “Churches have historically been designed as iconic forms and although that hasn’t changed, the exotic nature of form has been expanded greatly.”
“Churches have historically been designed as iconic forms and although that hasn’t changed, the exotic nature of form has been expanded greatly.” James Theimer, AIA, Founder and Director of Design, Trilogy Architecture, Redding, CA
+ solar orientation
“Any building should be thought through when orienting on a site and trying to get optimal energy savings,” says Chad Vanderipe, business development manager for Churches by Daniels. “Oftentimes the ideal layout is not possible due to various reasons: road orientation, existing building layout, etc."
He adds, "Other items can be considered to help with ‘Solar Orientation.' For example, solar canopies can be installed above windows. These are canopies that have an angled fin within them that allows light through, but not the sun's beams at the hottest part of the day. These are the type of things that should be designed within the building to help with energy savings.”
Cox concurs, adding, “Considering solar orientation while doing site studies allows you to think through which spaces will be hosting events at which times and what amount of natural daylighting and what sun height would be most effective to light spaces naturally. Solar orientation will also determine window sizes, shading strategies, the amount of interior lighting necessary, and HVAC loads.”
Jason Roehner
+ importance of daylighting
“Daylighting is very important for common spaces, offices, classrooms,and nurseries,” reports Vanderipe. In addition, he notes, hospitality is becoming more significant as an element in common spaces.
+ one church … one location
A few notable multisite churches are now launching their multiple sites as autonomous churches and concentrating their ministry in one location, Shanks adds. “This speaks to a growing preference among young adult congregants to be with a group where everyone can be known on a closer level," he says. "As the individual churches take on and develop their own identity and purpose, the physical facilities may be modified to reflect this new individual entity.
Vanderpipe adds, “[These] central hubs serve as a common area where people interact and are designed to address all generations."
+ faith-based spaces in new places
"Mixed-use buildings where faith-based use is only a part of the overall plan are increasingly providing more diversity in general construction types,” Theimer notes. “For example, whereas a chapel has long been traditionally featured in hospitals, it is now becoming more common to be used in other building types, such as apartments and community centers.”
