Engaging Spaces

H E L P I N G L E A D E R S B E C O M E B E T T E R S T E W A R D S .

Engaging SpacesPresented by:

Ziegler Cooper Architects

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • E N G A G I N G S PA C E S 2 churchexecutive.com

E N G A G I N G S PA C E S • CHURCH EXECUTIVE 3churchexecutive.com

Table of ContentsENGAGING FROM THE GET-GO 4For a church’s design to be effective, it must be engaging — beginning the moment someone walks through the door.

By Allison Parrott and Paul Lodholz, AIA, LEED AP

ENGAGING SANCTUARIES: 3 DESIGN“MUSTS” 6For most churches, the sanctuary is the most important space on the entire campus. Its design should reflect this.


ENGAGING CHILDREN’S MINISTRY SPACES: 4 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS 8My earliest memories of Sunday school involve a white-painted classroom. There were no windows and a hodgepodge of furniture.

Today, that same church has an entire building devoted to children’s ministry.


YOUR YOUTH SPACE: 4 SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO GET IT RIGHT 10Whether you’re planning a new space for your youth — or upgrading your existing space — some key strategies will invigorate your youth spaces while also helping your church stay within budget.


4 TYPES OF ADULT CLASSROOM SPACES 12For a design to facilitate the varied forms of religious education, it must be based on an understanding of the specific needs and goals for a particular ministry.


SMALL, BUT MIGHTY 14Key elements of effective small group classroom design


ENTRY AND WAYFINDING 16Visiting a church for the first time can be quite daunting. Often, long-time church members take for granted that visitors “just know” which areas to park in, where the easiest entrance is located, and how to navigate the church campus. But, for a first-time visitor, a church campus without clear wayfinding elements can be difficult to navigate — and make it less likely they’ll return.



Engaging SpacesPresented by: Ziegler Cooper Architects

Engagingfrom

the get-goFor a church’s design to be effective, it must be engaging — beginning the moment someone walks through the door.


Today, 43 percent of the U.S. population is unchurched and 37 percent identify as post-Christian. So, a visitor has a high likelihood of not only being at your church for the first time, but he or she might also have had limited knowledge of the way things are done at any church.

Research also indicates it takes less than five minutes for first-time visitors to decide if they will ever come back. That isn’t a very long time. And even with well-trained, hospitable members, there is a good chance first-time visitors will form their opinions of your church before they have a single human interaction.

After navigating the parking lot and finding the correct entry to the building, the most immediate experience visitors

have is that first step into your building. Whether you call this place a Lobby, Narthex, or Commons, their experience of this space sets the stage for their entire visit.

Form meets (changing) function

A few generations ago, many churches had a small vestibule that functioned as their Lobby. This was the space where church members got their bulletin and were quickly greeted by the usher on their way to the sanctuary. This was an internally focused space, serving as a sound buffer between the sanctuary and what was happening outside. These types of spaces functioned quite well for experienced churchgoers — people who were there every week, who knew where they were going and what to do.

But, they don’t perform nearly so well for modern churches trying to open their doors and be integral parts of their post-Christian communities.

Today’s lobbies are responding to both church and community needs in a

The color and material texture in the Commons at First Baptist Church Pasadena (Pasadena, TX) provides subtle cues to help visitors orient themselves in the space. Floor patterns help dictate circulation routes, and vibrant colors denote entries to the different wings of the building. (Photo by: Jud Haggard)


groups and friend groups, ensuring the space feels comfortable and welcoming.

Christ Community Church (Houston). Christ Community Church, a 400-member church plant, had to approach its entry lobby in an entirely different way. This young church had been meeting in a local hotel for some time before it was able to acquire property. The church purchased an empty 1980s speculative office building with the intention of converting it to a worship space, classrooms and church offices.

With a finite amount of available space, our design team showed the church ways it could multi-use its entry lobby. A fellowship café is part of the lobby but has a sliding glass wall that allows it to be entirely open on Sunday morning, providing a welcoming space for socializing, getting coffee and building community. When needed, the room can be entirely closed off to host a large Sunday school class, lecture or other event.

Rather than have a stationary welcome desk, the church has several mobile stations that can be reconfigured and relocated depending on the need. Visibility, again, is key; it is important that the space provided helps guests clearly navigate and find their way.

The intentional use of varied material textures, paint color and lighting helps locate the important spaces for guests and allows them to feel comfortable and welcome rather than lost and nervous.

Café tables, bistro stools and lounge chairs allow people to gather in ways that are most comfortable for them and conducive to conversation.

Allison Parrott is the Project Manager for the Worship Facilities and Education Studio at Ziegler Cooper Architects in Houston www.zieglercooper.com . She is married to a church-planter and pastor and is blessed to be able to serve other churches through her professional work.

Paul Lodholz, AIA, LEED AP is the Principal-in-Charge of the Worship Facilities and Education Studio at Ziegler Cooper Architects. He has lectured around the country on the changing nature of the church lobby and has been working with churches for more than 35 years.

variety of ways. Modern church lobbies are becoming vibrant connectors that are integrated with the entire building, as well as destination areas to facilitate impromptu conversations, informal classes and fellowship. By addressing these needs through the presence of cafés, comfortable seating and even indoor playgrounds, engaging lobbies are transforming churches into what Ray Oldenburg defines as a “third place” — an anchor of the community which fosters social interaction and meaningful conversation.

A welcome reception: two case studies

First Baptist Church Pasadena (Pasadena, TX). At this church, a new, large, two-story Commons provides entry locations on both the east and west sides of the building. It was important to this large church that visitors and members could easily find their way to a main entry and into a single common space, no matter where they parked. To that end, the Commons connects the church’s newly built 2,500-seat Worship Center to the church’s café, Chapel, classrooms and administration offices, serving as the central circulation zone for the campus.

Since it was built in 2012, this church has been able to use its Commons as a vibrant part of its community ministry, not only by providing a welcoming entry for visitors but by providing a space to host community lunches, dinners, social events and lectures. The design of the space was specifically ordered to allow visitors to understand where they are, even without excessive verbal signage. Welcome desks strategically located near the two main entryways let visitors ask questions easily, without going out of their way or feeling conspicuous.

Digital signs and computer stations are strategically located in the space, allowing church ministries to present information to the church community.

To encourage conversation and community-building, there are multiple types of seating arrangements organized throughout the Commons. Soft seating, café tables and benches can be seen everywhere and are used by families, Sunday school classes, small

At Christ Community Church (Houston), a large fellowship room and café connects to the main entry lobby. A moveable glass wall is used to close the room during classes or lectures but can be entirely opened up to create a large lobby space or banquet set-up. The reclaimed wood wall in the background leads visitors into the church Worship Center. (Photo by: Gary Zvonkovic)

Concept Image, Unbuilt Project, Cypress, Texas. The use of material textures and paint colors help guide visitors through the space. The Commons is used as a connecting piece which helps to foster relationship building within the church community. (Rendering by: Ziegler Cooper)


Engaging SpacesPresented by: Ziegler Cooper Architects

For most churches, the sanctuary is the most important space on the entire campus. Its design should reflect this.


More people will pass through your sanctuary than any other space. Its visual impact becomes a big part of the memory of their experience at your church.

The design of a Sanctuary must ultimately be functional: lighting, acoustics, sound systems, accessibility, seating, views, platform flexibility, video feeds — all have to work when and how you need them to. When something doesn’t work, it detracts from the worship experience.

Aside from practical needs, though, the architecture of a sanctuary attempts to celebrate the goodness and majesty of God and should aid your leadership as they invite people into God’s presence.

Depending on the culture and style of your congregation, your sanctuary might look more traditional or more modern — there are many ways to express the beauty of Christian worship. Despite these differences, however, there are some common design elements that are useful in creating an engaging sanctuary, no matter what your worship style might be.

Engaging sanctuaries:3 design “musts”

The altar of Atascocita United Methodist Church in Atascocita, TX, is the focal point of the entire room. The surrounding architecture of the space leads the eye directly to the communion table and altar.

The Ziegler Cooper project team was able to create a strong visual focal point at Christ Community Church, an adaptive re-use of a 1980s speculative office building in Houston, TX. The intimate sanctuary incorporates video technology and design textures and materials from the entry lobby (reclaimed barn wood), and balances house and accent lighting with the light from existing windows.


#1: A strong visual focal point

A strong visual focal point is one of the simplest ways to create order in a large, open room like a sanctuary space. As soon someone walks into the sanctuary, his or her eye should be immediately drawn to the focal point of the room, whether that is a baptistry, stained glass, a cross, a lectern or video screens. Having a strong focal point gives the viewer a place to rest the eye and orients him or her to the organization of the room quickly and easily.

This focal point also is an opportunity to express your church’s ideals, personality and vision in a way appropriate to your expression of faith. For the majority of the time when the sanctuary is in use, all eyes are looking to this focal point, this is where you should spend some time and thought planning and designing. This is the main visual cue of the room that tells people: This is a sacred space; come and worship.

#2: Use lighting thoughtfully

Another way to create an engaging atmosphere is through the use of lighting. A mixture of controlled natural light, theater lights, decorative lighting and accent lighting will work together to create both a functional and inspiring space.

Natural daylight illuminates a space in ways artificial lighting never can and is necessary if you choose to have stained glass in your sanctuary. Even without stained glass, though, the use of natural daylight can help make a room feel more expansive and grand. And, studies show natural light simply makes people feel good.

However, the structure of your worship service — the use of special lighting and video screens, for example — might require that daylight be limited or strictly controlled. Theatric lighting will allow you to place visual emphasis where it is needed; but, relying solely on theatric lighting will result in a “flat” room. Decorative house lights and accent lighting at special areas of the room help to round out the visual experience of the space, making it more inviting and engaging.

#3: Balance intimacy vs. anonymity

One of the trickiest aspects of sanctuary design is finding just the right combination of intimacy and anonymity for participants to feel comfortable during a worship service. No matter how large or small your sanctuary, no one wants to feel lost in the crowd. When someone sits too far away from the speaker or the visual focal point, he or she might become disinterested or distracted. Alternately, feeling as if you are too close to the action is uncomfortable and makes it hard to focus on the speaker and the other activities of the service.

Often, in our design solutions, we find a modified gather-around seating arrangement allows for a sense of intimacy while maintaining a comfortable distance from the focal point of the room.

There are numerous other aspects that make the design of a sanctuary quite complex. Even so, keeping these three tenets in mind will help you to begin to create or modify an engaging worship space for your own church.

Allison Parrott is the Project Manager for the Worship and Education Studio at Ziegler Cooper Architects in Houston www.zieglercooper.com . She is married to a church-planter and pastor and is blessed to be able to serve other

churches through her professional work.

Paul Lodholz, AIA, LEED AP is the Principal-in-Charge of the Worship and Education Studio at Ziegler Cooper Architects. He has lectured around the country on the changing nature of the church lobby and has been working with churches for more than 35 years.

Thoughtful lighting use in the Sanctuary renovation of Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, TX. The design team used a combination of natural light, decorative house lights and accent lighting to emphasize the focal point of the space.

St. John Lutheran Church in Houston, TX, uses a combination of lighting sources controlled with mechoshades to draw attention to its central altar.

At left: Austin Chinese Church (Austin, TX) uses lighting and color to create a strong focal point of its altar.

First Baptist Church Pasadena (Pasadena, TX) is quite large, with a 2,800-seat sanctuary. The design challenge here was to accommodate the large congregation while maintaining a sense of intimacy. This was done through the use of tiered and gather-round seating. Photo shown is taken from the furthest point of the sanctuary.


Engaging Spaces

My earliest memories of Sunday school involve walking (in very uncomfortable shoes) into an old, dimly lit gymnasium and turning down a white-painted corridor. There, I entered a white-painted classroom. There were no windows and a hodgepodge of furniture.

The most memorable thing about my Sunday school room was a small, white plastic bank shaped like a church that sat on a table by the door. Here, everyone dropped in their nickel offerings as they entered class each week.

Today, that same church has an entire building devoted to children’s ministry.


Like many churches across the country, the church I grew up attending realized that children will invite their friends to church — and that those friends will bring their parents.

As such, the last decade has seen an explosion in church design focused on children’s ministry spaces. For generations, Sunday school spaces were plain, simple rooms crammed into any open corner of the church facility. Now, investing in children’s ministries has created a huge growth area for churches — but only if they’re done right.

4 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTSTo create truly engaging children’s ministry spaces, consider these

four key considerations. #1: Bright, engaging colors! Color is one of the easiest and most

transformative elements to incorporate. Children’s spaces are meant to be fun. Colorful, whimsical shapes can be used to denote entrances, sitting areas and teaching nooks.

There was a time when churches chose to “theme” their children’s areas with murals depicting biblical stories; however, many churches are now choosing to use color and shape to enliven the space. This way, they have the flexibility to feature different stories or themes throughout the liturgical year.

Engaging children’s ministry spaces:

essential elements


#2: Large-group gathering areas. As children’s ministries have developed and grown, so has the need for a space where children can engage in the act of worship. Large-group gathering areas for children are common today. These rooms often have special entries that use color, or kid-sized features, to make the transition from the adult spaces more interesting.

Small stages can be flanked by brightly colored or themed walls built to provide small backstage areas, video screens or puppet stages. Carpet patterns can be planned to create spaces within the space and allow for teachers to easily group children.

Giving this space a unique name —and carrying that theme into the design — can also aid children in identifying with this special area designed just for them.

#3: Multi-use classrooms. A common challenge many churches face is how to negotiate shared classroom space between the Sunday school classes and the church’s day school classes. Being good stewards of their resources, many congregations choose to double-use children’s classrooms so they function on Sunday for the Sunday school and are used throughout the week by a church school or Mother’s Day Out program.

Although having two different user groups in classrooms can create competing needs, being aware of these lets you design a space that functions well for both.

For example, built-in storage that can be locked and assigned to either teacher group is extremely useful in these spaces.

Furniture storage on wheels is another great idea; it can be moved or turned around when not in use. Some churches use tall shelving units filled with day school items. When turned around on Sunday, the Sunday school can display posters, or use dry erase paint, on the back.

#4: Indoor playgrounds. As a community outreach tool, prominent indoor playgrounds are becoming increasingly popular. These playgrounds can be open on Sundays for children; but, many churches have found that having their playgrounds open during the week for open play has become a vibrant outreach ministry for parents of young children.

Having an indoor playground near the church commons allows for parents to bring their children in for play while they can sit nearby to supervise and have coffee with other parents. Meeting this simple community need has birthed Mom-Bible Study groups and created openings for relationships to develop with individuals who might otherwise have never come to the church.

When reaching out and ministering to young families, it’s important to show them your church values their children. By designing spaces that excite and engage kids — with creative color use, special assembly areas, bright classrooms and indoor play — churches can continue to show families how important their children are to the life and longevity of the church.

Allison Parrott is the Project Manager for the Worship and Education Studio at Ziegler Cooper Architects in Houston. www.zieglercooper.com She is married to a church-planter and pastor and is blessed to be able to serve other churches through her professional work.


“For generations, Sunday school spaces were plain, simple rooms crammed into any open corner of the church facility. Now, investing in children’s

ministries has created a huge growth area for churches — but only if they’re done right”.


Engaging Spaces

RIGHTBy Allison Parrott with Paul Lodholz, AIA, LEED AP

In many churches, the youth area is often relegated to leftover space — or space the adults have outgrown and left behind. That short-sighted approach is a missed ministry opportunity.

Whether you’re planning a new space for your youth — or upgrading your existing space — some key strategies will invigorate your youth spaces while also helping your church stay within budget.

#1: Start with a plan. Youth ministers often tell us that they need a completely flexible space to do absolutely anything in their youth areas without limiting their programs. In reality, a space needs to be planned for specific functions for any of your ministry programs to work well.

This doesn’t mean the space needs to be completely inflexible; think of it more as a “priorities list.” Start with the most significant activity that will happen in the space. Doing so — and listing out the needs required — will help you prioritize needs and organize the space to accommodate them.

Once this list is in hand, you’ll begin to notice that some overlap. For example, you might need space for large-group assembly, which requires loose seating. You also need space for sitting around a table and eating pizza, which requires loose seating, too — but, the two functions never happen at the same time, so seating can be shared.

Looking at the space in terms of functional zones that can be multi-use will allow for the needed flexibility but, at the same time, will ensure you’re meeting your programs’ requirements. You can also use grid paper to draw the space to scale, or even use tape to section off the room in zones to help visualize the correct amount of space you need.

#2: Implement inexpensive fixes. Fresh paint is one of the most inexpensive ways to enliven a space. However, bolder and brighter isn’t always better!

Think about the spaces where you like to just hang out (bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants and so on). The next time you visit those places,

SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO GET ITYour youth space:

St. John XXIII Student Center (Katy, TX)

Fairfield Baptist Church (Cypress, TX)


take note of the color schemes; do they translate into your youth space? While the use of bright, energetic primary colors is appropriate in an early childhood or elementary setting, teenagers prefer something a bit more grown-up.

Writable wall surfaces and magnetic walls are another quick and easy way to perk up a room. You can grab some chalkboard paint at your local hardware store and create a prayer wall or an announcement board.

Many youth rooms are decorated with store-bought posters. These can look cheap, dated and clutter up the space very quickly. Instead, find some of your artistic youth group members and commission them to create some custom art for the space. Or, give your students an assignment to photograph the world — to showcase something meaningful about their faith. There are lots of possibilities to create unique and meaningful art that’s relevant to your ministry.

Add decorative lighting in your space with inexpensive floor lamps. These can soften the feel of the room, especially if you’re adapting an existing room that has older, 2x4 fluorescent lighting.

#3: Focus on furniture and floors. If the flooring in your space is old and worn, consider replacing it. You can rip out old carpet and check the state of the concrete slab underneath. The concrete can be ground and polished, or even stained, to create an easy-to-clean floor.

You can also purchase area rugs to help define various zones in the space and add some color. Consider using both hard and soft flooring to do this. For example, vinyl tile, polished concrete or wood-look vinyl planks can be used in entry and snack areas, while carpet can be used in assembly and lounge areas. Using different flooring materials will define the space and add interest to the room.

When furnishing the space, don’t settle for hand-me down couches! The furniture in this room should be inviting and appropriate for the types of ministry programs using the space. Furniture will be a costly upgrade, but well worth the investment.

There are many modern styles of folding chairs that can be used in your large gathering areas. For conversation areas, invest in durable leather synthetic leather or microfiber couches and lounge seating. Many new styles of seating have built-in USB charging stations, which helps when students are using iPads or other electronic devices during small group time.

The goal is to find durable furniture that’s stylish and comfortable, creating an engaging atmosphere.

And, don’t be afraid to check with your students to find out if anyone has furniture-making skills! Many high schools have “FabLabs” that teach woodwork, welding, laser-cutting and CNC routing. Students who are learning these skills might enjoy the challenge of designing and building coffee tables or other pieces for the space.

#4: Embrace technology. Today’s students are immersed in technology. School curriculums are becoming more and more interactive, and students are expected to be able to use technology in thoughtful ways.

Youth ministry should be no different. Your space doesn’t need 90-inch plasma TVs everywhere, but small TVs

— equipped with Apple TV or another wireless connection device — can enhance small group lessons.

A/V needs also need to be addressed and be appropriate for your space and ministry needs. Your students already engage with technology on a daily basis, so don’t shun it. Instead, be prepared to creatively use it while, at the same, time teaching teens how to be responsible consumers of technology in variety of ways.

Allison Parrott is the Project Manager for the Worship and Education Studio at Ziegler Cooper Architects www.zieglercooper.com in Houston. She is married to a church-planter and pastor and is blessed to be able to serve other churches through her professional work.


First Baptist Pasadena (Pasadena, TX)

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (College Station, TX)

www.zieglercooper.com


Engaging Spaces

By Allison Parrott with Paul Lodholz, AIA, LEED AP

For each church, educational spaces will be quite varied: some small, some large, some flexible, some very specific. For a design to facilitate the varied forms of religious education, it must be based on an understanding of the specific needs and goals for a particular ministry.

In most churches, we find a need for a range of adult education classroom spaces. Often, churches define their adult education curriculum based on age range or life stage; as such, classroom spaces need to be sensitive to the group of people using them. Few other building types require such a mix of spaces and intended users.

Adult classrooms in churches must be able to meet the needs of college students, emerging young professionals, young parents, parents of teenagers, empty nesters, grandparents and retirees alike. With such a broad range of ages and preferred learning styles, having a mix of classroom types is advantageous.

Large group lecture spacesTypically, there is only need for one large adult classroom. These larger

rooms are sometimes outfitted with operable wall partitions that allow for the room to be subdivided; however, we find that these are rarely used.

When churches have this large classroom, it will seat anywhere from 50 to 150 occupants in lecture-style seating — typically in rows of chairs and without any writing surfaces.

This type of room also is often a multi-use room. And, because of its size, it makes an ideal small banquet room or group breakfast gathering area. As such, it should be located in proximity to a hospitality kitchen.

This type of room also tends to be outfitted with a true stage, lectern and sound system, which makes it useful for small worship gatherings as well as large-group Sunday School / Bible Study classes. These rooms are often used for the senior adult classes or gender-specific classes that draw large crowds.

In this type of room, a good rule-of-thumb is to plan for 15 to 20 square feet per person to allow for ample seating and stage space.

TYPES OF ADULT

CLASSROOM SPACES


Small group lecture spacesSmall group classes will accommodate fewer than 50 people —

typically, 10 to 35. In a small group lecture format, the classroom needs to be large enough

to allow for writing tables. Plan for 35 square feet per person if occupants will be seated at tables facing the front of the classroom.

These types of classrooms must be outfitted with whiteboards or smart boards. A projection system or TV is nice, but not necessary. And, and rarely do these classrooms have any audio systems associated with them. Sometimes these rooms have some built-in wall storage, allowing volunteers to have an in-room space to store class materials.

These spaces are often booked for new-member trainings or Bible Study classes that are a little more academic in nature.

Small group discussion spacesThese classrooms are a little less formal than the lecture-based

classrooms. Although lecture-style learning can happen in these rooms, they are not designed for extensive note-taking.

These classrooms can be a little smaller since only loose chairs are needed. Allocate 20 to 25 square feet per person in these rooms.

Like the lecture-style rooms, these classrooms should have whiteboards and TVs, though audio systems are rarely used. Sometimes these classrooms might even have sofas or lounge furniture to lend a living room feel.

These types of classrooms are often packed with couples’ classes (Young Marrieds, Empty Nesters and so on) as they facilitate curricula that allow for much more dialogue and discussion.

Informal group spacesAs Millennials become a larger presence in the church, the informal

classroom has become a growing a trend. These spaces range from café-style seating, to couches tucked into an alcove, to small seating areas along large corridors, or even outdoor spaces.

These classrooms can be completely fluid, allowing for quick rearrangement as needs arise. Or, they can be a little more defined. Many churches are taking cues from current trends in office design and using low walls or interestingly shaped partitions in central gathering areas to define multiple classroom spaces within the central commons.

Because these spaces are so dynamic, they can be difficult to plan. If you are in an existing building, take stock of your corridors, lobbies and transition areas. Are there natural areas where the corridor widens? Could you remove a portion of an existing classroom wall near an entrance lobby? If people tend to naturally gather at a certain spot, could you widen the corridor?

These types of spaces tend to be more intimate than a typical classroom and generally should accommodate five to 15 people.

Transparency in every spaceIn an effort to get as much bang for our buck, adult classroom spaces are

often crammed down long hallways or stuck in the core of a building, with no exterior windows. This makes for a dreary, institutional feeling.

Really think about these spaces; try to structure your programming so that every classroom space has some natural light.

If this is not possible, think about replacing portions of the walls with storefront glass. Having large panes of glass can give the illusion of natural light, helping to make a space feel less confined and more open. This also delivers the added benefit of providing visual security.



http://www.zieglercooper.com


Engaging Spaces


When speaking of familiarity, some configurations of successful small group spaces include those meant for informal breakouts, with furniture pieces suited well to a living room or family parlor. Familiarity can also be accomplished with the use of warm tones and warm materials — warm-toned wood, carpeting, and interplay with natural light. It’s almost advantageous to think of these spaces as the living room space of a home; after all, they’re intended to cultivate intimate and personal exchanges.

These rooms are often used by a variety of age ranges, from empty-nesters to young married couples — and even much younger Christians — which makes flexibility a key. Flexibility can be achieved through the use of operable walls and moveable furniture, such as stackable chairs and podiums.

For the sake of flexibility, the accommodation of multimedia and A / V equipment — as well as sound — must also be considered. You want people in the room to be able to hear the teacher, but also to feel comfortable having a conversation in a normal tone, without feeling as though those outside of the conversation or classroom can hear them. Considering this, limit the use of hard surfaces, and avoid long, obtuse-shaped classrooms that make it hard for sound to reach all the way across.

Depending on your church culture, you might want small group spaces to be used for instruction. This would require the more traditional elements of a classroom, such as a whiteboard and projection capabilities. In fact, the use of multimedia might be prevalent and necessary in small group spaces.

mightybut

Small,

Key elements of effective small group classroom design

Small group classrooms are integral to the spiritual life of the contemporary Church. They’re spaces of discipleship, where members and guests can digest the heart of what Christ is teaching us. They’re also places of prayer and intimate growth.

As such, it’s important that small group classrooms accommodate a great range of activities and group sizes. Yet, they must also be intimate enough that individuals feel comfortable expressing their doubts, questions and struggles surrounding faith.

It’s a delicate balance of familiarity and flexibility.


Generally speaking, these spaces need about 20 to 25 square feet per person to accommodate all the necessary space for instruction and to feel comfortable for small group discussion.

RETHINK OR REPEAT?It may be your wish that the small group classrooms carry the same

theme as the sanctuary, or that they remain more neutral so as to present a “blank canvas” for the activities that occur there. Either way, consider the image you’d like to present. Is it unified with the worship space, or in stark contrast?

Changing the theme, color palette or materials in small group classrooms could help congregants make the shift between corporate worship to individual reflection.

On the other hand, retaining the same theme helps to reiterate a particular temperament or culture — warm, relaxed or contemplative.

LOCATION MATTERSOther considerations for these spaces are their proximity to other

important functions so they can be multi-purposed. Often, our church clients are faced with difficult decisions concerning budget and priorities. If positioned correctly, small group classrooms can serve functions outside of mid-week or Sunday discussion; they can also serve as meeting spaces for outreach groups, classrooms for a daycare or school affiliated with the church, or even social functions.

The use of these spaces for mid-week services usually means locating them in a portion of the church that can be accessed independently of the main church in a wing of its own, or with its own entrance. As mentioned earlier, within the classrooms — especially those intended to be multifaceted — flexibility is key. This includes the consideration of walls that open to allow three classrooms to merge into one, as well as adequate storage for each of the individual ministries using the space.

“YOU BELONG HERE”Above all, it’s important that small group classrooms facilitate the

feeling of belonging — to a church culture and to a body of believers they can trust. It is necessary that users of these spaces feel comfortable enough to divulge their thoughts, but also alert enough that they’re engaging in discussion and learning the tenets of Christian discipleship.

Done well, a small group space pays attention to the details that enable congregants to feel familiar with the space while also engaging with their surroundings — regardless of the mode of instruction. It’s a difficult, but possible, task.




Engaging Spaces

Imagine it’s your first visit to your church, and try to navigate the campus. • What do you see when you first drive up? Is the vehicular entrance clearly

marked and easy to find?• How do you know where to park? Is the correct entry easily visible?• Once you’re inside the church, where do you go? Is it clear where the

sanctuary is located? What about classrooms? The nursery?

For many church leaders, this can be a difficult exercise. To make it easier, there are several common items that can be addressed simply.

Driving inSometimes, entering the campus parking lot can be difficult. Here,

large, easy-to-read signage which denotes entrances and exits — as well as building locations — is essential.

Also think about how your building physically indicates (or doesn’t) where the main entrance is located and how this relates to the visual a visitor has as he or she enters the parking lot.

Consider traffic flow, as well. Some churches find it necessary to hire a traffic consultant to analyze their parking lot flow and make recommendations on restriping. This can speed up drop-off and parking times and also makes the entire lot easier to navigate and more intuitive for visitors.

Walking inOnce a visitor has found a parking spot, it’s imperative that the walking

path to the front entrance be clear and safe. Many churches we work with have older entrances that are highly

visible from the street, but not easily accessible from the parking lot. Over time, as church members stopped walking to church and began driving, these original entrances become less and less used by regular attendees.

WayfindingEntry&

Visiting a church for the first time can be quite daunting. Often, long-time church members take for granted that visitors “just know” which areas to park in, where the easiest entrance is located, and how to navigate the church campus. But, for a first-time visitor, a church campus without clear wayfinding elements can be difficult to navigate — and make it less likely they’ll return.



Sometimes, they’re even locked on Sunday mornings because regular attenders all use side doors. If you have older, large entry doors that aren’t used much, consider replacing them with glass or stained glass that allows for a visual, decorative element but won’t confuse first-time visitors trying to find their way into your church.

Taking advantage of smaller wayfinding signs along sidewalks is also helpful. And, ensure your sidewalks are well-maintained and well-lit. If a visitor needs to cross traffic lanes from the parking lot, provide crosswalk areas for safety.

Inside the facilityOnce visitors have made it into the correct entrance, it’s vital that they

can quickly find where they’re going. There are many visual cues that can help with this — using different colors or textures on the walls to indicate different types of spaces, for example. Additionally, floor patterns can be used to guide people through a space.

Welcome desks are a great addition to any large lobby; just make sure there are greeters stationed there to welcome guests and answer questions.

Interior signage is also helpful, here. Many graphics companies specialize in interior wayfinding signage. They tour your facility and work with your leadership team to develop an overall strategy for signage and wayfinding throughout your campus that will reinforce your church’s values and identity.



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Engaging Spaces