Evan Melgren
The church’s orange logo set inside a gray backdrop embodies the philosophy of blending traditional and modern features, according to Sandy Gibbes, principal and project designer at Equip Studio.
The collective of Riverbank Church, led by Pastor Chris Goeppner, wanted desperately to create a home that would serve as a beacon for the community in White River Junction, Vermont, but had big challenges in finding a space.
As it searched, it hired Equip Studio, based in Greenville, South Carolina, to handle the design process once a site was established.
“I had met Chris at a conference a few years before the project began and we developed a good relationship,” says Sandy Gibbes, principal and project designer for Equip Studio. “He went through a lot of hurdles trying to find land and a building, and we spent time trying to study the parameters that came along with his efforts to help him get a good spot.”
Equip Studio positioned the building facing the east so that the lobby would get good solar gain, while keeping energy costs down.
The problem was, every time Riverbank thought they found something, whether it was an existing facility or a land parcel, local ordinances prevented them from moving forward because of the bad association that “steeple and bell churches” have in the area.
Evan Melgren
Riverbank's Rescue Wall has a plaque that lists the names of each individual in the community who has given their life to Christ.
Multiple times, emergency meetings were called to prevent the church from establishing roots, with everything from parking to environmental problems being used as excuses, according to Gibbes.
Riverbank finally found a 5.4-acre property that was once the home to a Holiday Inn known in the area for being somewhat nefarious. The previous owner demolished his structure so the site was clear for the contractor, Hutter Construction, to begin.
“After the city reviewed Equip Studio’s design concepts, saw that it would look nothing like a traditional church, and realized it would be used to serve its community, the project was not only approved, but expedited,” Gibbes says. “We helped develop a master plan and changed the perception of what a church is in that area of the country.”
“We helped develop a master plan and changed the perception of what a church is in that area of the country," says Sandy Gibbes, principal and project designer with Equip Studio in Greenville, South Carolina.
Along with project designer Jonathan Edens, project manager Sims Key and the rest of the Equip Studio team, Gibbes worked through a conceptual design process known as EquipLABS, which is rooted in the mission and DNA of the church to ensure it struck the best balance of program, budget and design.
An open invitation
It was important to Goeppner that the church was not a “copycat” of others in the area, but had a distinct look that would be welcomed by the community.
Outdoor movie nights ... are something the community shares in, using one of the church's exterior white walls as a projection backdrop during the summer.
He envisioned the local church as someplace where parishioners could gather and be encouraged on interdependence, fellowship, correction and discipline.
“The relationship the churches had in the community were not well received,” Gibbes says. “They wanted to design a building to house the church but to show the community that they weren’t against them, but with them. We came up with a building that was not typical in its form and aesthetic—one the community would come to and let their guard down.”
The church’s orange logo set inside a gray backdrop, embodies the philosophy of blending traditional and modern features, and is well liked by those who come inside.
Simple AVL
The church includes a pre-performance green room, a gathering area complete with a coffee station and small tables, and a large stage that can be utilized for numerous functions.
Riverbank’s presence has given the area a venue that’s set up for production and is able to accommodate a variety of community events.
With a modest budget of $2.2 million for the church, Equip Studio needed to be innovative and creative with its use of AV equipment, ensuring that the church could deliver its message in the best way.
“The idea was the systems would allow the environment to shepherd and steer the story of the gospel in the best way,” Gibbes says. “We wanted a system that facilitated all the different needs of the church and community, whether it was a concert on weekends or a community event.”
Evan Melgren
A simple AV set up allows for Riverbank Church's services, community events, and weekend concerts all to take place in the worship space.
For that reason, it set up something that was simple but effective, so anyone could use it. Riverbank’s presence has given the area a venue that’s set up for production and is able to accommodate a variety of community events.
The outside of the building is serving the community, as well. According to Equip Studio, the church uses the back of the building as a projection screen for community outreach movie nights.
Overcoming the odds
Designing a church in Vermont’s unique climate was not easy.
“Other than the jurisdictional requirements, the harsh environment was the biggest challenge of the project,” Gibbes says. “There are lots of weather fluctuations. Because of it being really cold, windy, and snowy, we had to use materials that would meet all the codes and ordinances and we had a limited window to build, so we got it up and ready really quickly.”
Equip Studio positioned the building facing the east so that the lobby would get good solar gain, while keeping energy costs down. Gibbes explained that the monoslope roof design on the west side takes snow load away from egress and allows for a faster melting time.
"We found creative ways to meet their needs without forcing them to build what they couldn’t afford."
Sandy Gibbes, Principal and Project Designer, Equip Studio, Greenville, SC
“The building itself is pre-engineered and wrapped in structural insulated panels which got the building ‘in the dry’ faster, which was a critical path item for getting the building complete on time,” he says. “Additionally, we included mini split units throughout the lobby which gives the facility maximum mechanical flexibility and efficiency to lower energy costs.”
Over all, Gibbes notes the design team didn’t hit a lot of “shock situations” and it was a very smooth process once they got through the jurisdictional speedbumps.
“We found creative ways to meet their needs without forcing them to build what they couldn’t afford,” he says. “And once the community saw the design, they were on board.”
A thriving church
Since launching in 2015, Riverbank Church has made outreach a top focus. Today, Riverbank’s presence has restored the perception of the church in its community. In fact, shortly after completion, the facility was even used for community ceremonies, such as law enforcement installations.
Outdoor movie nights, too, are something the community shares in, using one of the church's exterior white walls as a projection backdrop during the summer.
As a testament to the amazing work God is doing in their community, the church has added a plaque to their “Rescue Wall” in the lobby—for each individual who has given their life to the Lord at Riverbank Church.
