Interfaith Design

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The AIA Interfaith Design (ID) Knowledge Community encourages and supports excellence in the design of worship spaces and their accoutrements. Interfaith Design is an association of professionals whose primary interest is religious facilities in a broad array of traditions. We value an interfaith forum for the exchange of ideas relating to religion, art, and architecture. Join us!

  • 1.  Article on adaptive reuse of churches for IFRAA

    Posted 05-15-2016 05:13 PM

    Hello,

    Washington Post reporter is working on a story about former churches that have been converted into buildings that serve other purposes.  I realize IFRAA doesn’t focus on this topic, but I’m casting a wide net to find anyone that could provide some expert insight into the issue (not really sure where to start).  Her email below has more info on the story.  Please feel free to forward this message onto anyone would could speak to the topic...she started out primarily interested in Washington DC but is interested in hearing about any such situations.

    Best wishes,

    Matt Tinder
    Media Relations
    The American Institute of Architects

    From: Amanda Abrams [mailto:manda.abrams@gmail.com]
    Sent: Friday, May 13, 2016 3:09 PM
    To: Tinder, Matt
    Subject: Article on adaptive reuse of churches for Washington Post

    I'm a freelance journalist and am writing a story for the Washington Post real estate section about the adaptive reuse of churches in DC, which has been steeply on the rise in the past few years. I'm looking at the pros, cons, and challenges of redeveloping former churches. 

    I have a couple of questions for you. First, I'm trying to get some numbers on how many churches are being redeveloped per year in DC--or nationally, if DC-specific data isn't available. Does AIA keep those kinds of figures?

    Second, I'm looking to speak with architects who specialize in redeveloping church spaces so that they can be used in other ways. I have a few contacts myself, but am wondering if you have ideas of who I might talk with--either DC-area architects who've worked on churches, national-level architects who are experts in that area, or DC-area folks who might help me get perspective on church reuse in some other way. 

    Please let me know your thoughts. Perhaps we could talk on the phone sometime next week? 

    Thank you, 

    Amanda Abrams

    ------------------------------
    Matthew Tinder
    Sr. Manager, Media Relations
    The American Institute of Architects
    Washington DC
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  • 2.  RE: Article on adaptive reuse of churches for IFRAA

    Posted 05-17-2016 01:12 PM

    I don't have anything to contribute in the realm of converting church buildings to other uses, but I wanted to make her aware that the opposite is happening as well. I have been involved in a number of retail and other spaces being converted into churches. Abandoned big box stores strip centers, and even malls are being converted into church use, at the same time old church buildings are transitioning into other uses. This might make for a good side bar, or follow up story.

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    Gary Nicholson
    Nashville TN



  • 3.  RE: Article on adaptive reuse of churches for IFRAA

    Posted 05-18-2016 05:21 PM

    We have found the opposite to happening in a big way. In the last 10 years, we have been involved with renovating a department store, a strip mall, an elementary school, a high school, a vocational tech center, a number of warehouses, an empty dotcom office building in Silicon Valley, a boat dealership, the original shipping center for Precious Moments figurines, and a semi-conductor research/manufacturing center all into churches. It is interesting in some cases how the building's history manifests in the life of the new church. Additionally, the churches that do this seem to have a built-in awareness that the building is a tool and a means to a ministry end, rather than an edifice or an achievement of the congregation. 

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    Steven Fridsma AIA
    Elevate Studio
    Grand Rapids MI



  • 4.  RE: Article on adaptive reuse of churches for IFRAA

    Posted 05-19-2016 05:35 PM

    We have also had a similar experience. In our region there has been more adaptive reuse of commercial and industrial facilities into worship spaces as opposed to the other way around. We have even converted a nearly bankrupt new auto dealership into a full Catholic Parish campus to include a Nave, Narthex, Day Chapel, gathering spaces, admin offices, classrooms, a social hall, a commercial kitchen, youth ministry spaces, and a gym all under a single roof. We believe this is a response to a new paradigm for church infrastructure priorities where the Ministry objectives are focused on fitting the program and budget first and the stature of the architectural solutions is relegated to what remaining budget can accommodate. Although consistent with our training process for Architects, we find the emphasis somewhat unfortunate and work to find opportunities for applicable Liturgical Purity realized often in the smaller details of the Worship spaces. 

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    Kevin Wilcox AIA, LEED AP
    Principal Architect
    Comstock Johnson Architects, Inc.
    Mather CA