Print Article     Email Article

“Big Box” Buildings Present Opportunities for Worship Facilities

by David Benham     Added February 05, 2009

Many areas of the country have seen economic development explode—and then implode—leaving “big box” stores and other warehouse/retail facilities sitting empty and unused.

But current architecture trends show the advantages of repurposing these types of buildings into church facilities. Advantages include decreased construction time and costs, more parking availability (at surrounding store locations), and stewardship—being able to serve as a good steward of the Earth by re-using an existing facility. You also are infusing new life into a community with outreach and ministry opportunities which may include a full-time coffee shop and bookstore.

When you’re considering turning a “big box” or warehouse building into a worship facility, it’s important to work with your architect to keep several planning issues in mind.

The objective is to look for opportunities to create simple but effective transformation from a commercial or retail identity into a church identity. The potential for redeveloping the interior space needs to be evaluated at the same time that you begin envisioning the possibilities for a new exterior expression. On the exterior, you might consider the color and texture of existing materials, the scale and massing of the building, and the potential to change window and door openings. You will also want to discern how feasible it is to add new architectural elements to the exterior, such as a new entry feature.

Buy versus Lease
While many churches may want to purchase the facility, many building owners may be reticent to sell to worship organizations. If leasing is the only option, it’s important to convey the message that you will only improve the property, giving the building owner more return on the investment.

Existing Building Constraints
Column spacing: most commercial facilities have 25-foot to 30-foot column spacing, which can limit sight lines in a worship center. It can also hinder the platform location and the seating layout. You and your design partner might consider building additional structure in order to remove a few columns.

Structural capability: many structures are designed to meet the minimum structural requirements for a store or warehouse, and may not be built to accommodate the additional loads of ceiling, acoustical, audio, and lighting systems. If you’re considering adding roof-top mechanical units, you might need to add more structure.

Acoustics: many buildings in this category are designed without any acoustical consideration. Metal buildings may have exposed insulation, which has some minimal acoustic benefit from the interior, but may also come with a metal roof which will create noise during inclement weather, or transmit nearby traffic noise. Conventional retail structures typically have a membrane roof which can help limit exterior weather related noise, but also have a standard non-acoustic metal deck on the interior which adds no acoustic absorption.

In either case, the acoustics of the existing roof system may not be ideal for a worship facility, and may need some rectification to meet satisfactory levels. An acoustical consultant can evaluate the extent of work needed to address the full range of acoustical improvements that are essential to a good worship environment.

Slabs: slab remediation may be necessary due to lack of proper vapor barriers under existing slabs. This can affect the installation of new floor surfaces in the renovated facility, as well as the proper air conditioning system for the building. You might consider installing a topical vapor retarder over the existing slab.

Height: existing structures’ height can sometimes be an issue, depending on the anticipated seating capacity. Typically, projection screens are located high enough so people in the furthest areas can see adequately.

Also, the platform height may be restricted due to the structure’s height, especially when working out proper lighting angles and speaker locations.

Some churches have requirements for fly space (space above the visible portion of the stage or platform that scenery and set pieces can be lifted (or “flown”) up out of view) above the platform which would require structural modification to the existing building. The height of the structure would also influence whether or not you can add stadium seating in the rear of the auditorium.

Electrical: due to increased loading from lighting, audio, and mechanical systems, a new electrical service is often required. Most “big box” facilities have their main supply in a service area of the building, so adding a new main distribution panel and back-feeding existing panels is not usually a space issue, but may add significant cost to a project.

Mechanical: most warehouse or retail spaces have marginal HVAC capacities for their original intended use, and the change in building purpose and occupancy numbers typically means either adding supplemental systems, or starting from scratch.

In a worship space, the large concentration of people requires larger systems that must include a significant increase in the amount of fresh air brought into the system. In addition, the worship environment calls for quiet air movement which requires larger ducts and diffusers as well as isolation between the air handling unit and the space.

Plumbing: due to the increased number of people in a worship facility, the number of plumbing fixtures will need to be significantly increased. This may require partial removal of the existing slab to install new waste lines.

Seismic: a change in occupancy typically requires a re-evaluation of the building under the most current seismic constraints. If the building is older, this may require significant structural modifications.

Expansion: depending on the structural system, expanding may present a challenge if an additional building is needed. Most metal buildings have a high degree of “sway” in them, making some connections difficult. When looking at a building, consider growth within the footprint of the existing structure.

Image: perhaps the most important issue is changing people’s mindsets from worshiping in a building where they used to shop for groceries. The image of the facility from the street and throughout the interiors needs to be carefully considered during the initial design process.

Conclusion
Existing “big box” or warehouse facilities can make great buildings to house worship centers, and can significantly cut construction times and costs. Considering some of the more challenging structural issues at the outset can help you and your architect make informed, strategic choices that will allow your congregation to build a new church home.

The end result becomes a real-life spiritual metaphor, illustrating how you can redeem an old building in a way that creates new life, expresses a new vision and encourages positive community engagement.

David Benham, AIA, is a principal with Neal Prince Architects in Greenville, S.C. He specializes in designing and planning worship facilities.