The First Congregational Church Hall team has been hard at work!
We had an insightful meeting with Andrew Berman, Founder of Andrew Berman Architect. He guided us to critique and define the look of the hall from the outside, as well as to refine a universal point of entry into the First Congregational Church’s front door. With Andrew’s comments in mind, we marched forward with a clear organizational strategy for the look and layout of the building.
The following week, we met with Mike Newman, Architect and Co-founder of SHED Studio in Chicago, Pete Landon, founder and Principal Architect of LBBA, and Katrina Van Valkenburgh, Managing Director of Corporation for Supportive Housing, Central Region, in Chicago. Mike, Pete, and Katrina further guided the organization of the interior of the church hall with further suggestions of adequate materiality.
We had the opportunity to show the First Congregational Church Hall design to all the members of the LOEB Fellowship from Harvard University! The LOEB Fellows gave useful advice on the presentation of the project. Later that same week, we met with much of the congregation for the first time. Updated interior and courtyard perspectives highlighted the big moments of the project. The congregation shared insights on both building layout and universal-access connection between the First Congregational Church and the new Church Hall.
After meeting with the congregation, we checked in with landscape architect Mary Margaret Jones with Hargreaves Jones. Mary gave her advice on the new schemes and on viable plants for both the courtyard and surrounding site. Then, we got into the dirt and talked about site grading and watershed.
The First Congregational Church Hall team had our first executive review of the semester. We received feedback from Rural Studio faculty and teaching staff, of course, but also from Rusty Smith, Associate Director of Rural Studio and lead of the Front Porch Initiative, and Justin Miller, Head of Auburn University CADC’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape. We showcased the design and received valuable feedback on key building details and eventual construction sequencing.
After Spring Break, we were able to meet once more with Amanda Loper, Principal Architect with David Baker Architects. Amanda shared her thoughts on honing the plan layout as well as on refining the universal access route to the front door of the church. Amanda also gave incredible guidance on drawing inspiration from local environments and conditions for source materials.
Since Amanda’s visit, we have been working on a new site survey of the church grounds. This refined survey will allow us to make more precise earthwork calculations and inform decisions on foundation details. So, back to the drawing board we go!
See you next time! Happy Spring!