No. 8 - Select an Architect

As you interview architects, I encourage you to consider the following points:

 

Experience in Designing Churches. This may sound obvious, but it is important to understand why

church architecture is a unique discipline. A church architect is not just designing a "church." He is designing a

performing arts auditorium (sanctuary), an office building (administration), a daycare facility (nursery/daycare),

a school (education), a community recreation center (gym/fellowship) and in some cases a restaurant

(kitchen/dining/fellowship). On top of that, all of these components are designed to be coordinated with one

another. Most regular architects are very experienced in some of the above-mentioned areas; however, they

might not be aware of some of the "pitfalls" that can exist in the areas with which they are not familiar. Just as

you go to an eye doctor or heart specialist, a church architect is considered a "specialist" in a specific area of

architecture.

Competence. Competence in church architecture boils down to two things: 1) The floor plan must work. It

must be properly laid out to be functional according to your program and it must plan for your future growth.

2) The building needs to look good. I realize that these earth-shattering truths sound a little simple, but you

would be surprised at how many architects "miss it" on one of the two.

 

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