Designing Education Space

Slide 1:Designing Education Space

Church Building Conference

Slide 2:Start with a Master Plan

Address the five functions of the church: Worship Discipleship Fellowship Ministry Evangelism Address short-term and future needs.

Slide 3:Plan Your Program Before You Plan Your Space

What is a reasonable projection of enrollment, average attendance, and growth for each of the age-groups over the next growth cycle? 2. How should groups be organized in terms of ages, departments, classes and special needs?

Slide 4:Plan Your Program Before You Plan Your Space

How much space is needed in the various department and class rooms to accommodate desired attendance? 4. Are there special considerations, such as a day-care program, multiple scheduling of Sunday School, Weekday school, and multiple uses for certain spaces?

Slide 5:Plan Your Program Before You Plan Your Space

What must be considered when deciding locations for different age groups, and how should these relate functionally to other programs and activity needs of the church? 6. How do people get to and from these areas in terms of convenient movement, handicapped accessibility, safety, and emergencies?

Slide 6:Plan Your Program Before You Plan Your Space

What support spaces are needed beyond departments and class rooms? 8. If there are existing buildings, how can they best be used in combination with the new building?

Slide 7:Plan Your Program Before You Plan Your Space

What kind of physical features, finishes, facilities, furniture, and utilities are needed in each age-group area? 10. If the building is constrained by finances, what are the priorities? 11. How will this building relate to future phases of growth that may follow?

Slide 8:Locate Groups Properly

Assign space in logical sequence. Provide clear, visible signage. Locate elderly adults, preschoolers, and handicapped persons in easily accessible locations on the ground floor. Give attention to space for specialized activities. Consider times of use.

Slide 9:Space Requirements: Preschool

Age: Birth to first grade- Suggested Floor Space per child: 35 Square feet (no room smaller than 12� X 16�, or 200 square feet). Room Capacity: 7-10 (babies), 9-12 (Ones-Twos), 12-15 (Threes-Fours), 16-18 Fives-Kindergarten.

Slide 10:Space Requirements:Children

Grades/Ages: 1 � 6 / 6 � 11 Suggested floor space per child: 25 square feet, two units wide by three units long (minimum size: 20� X 25�). Capacity: 30 maximum (including leaders).

Slide 11:Space Requirements:Youth

Grades/Ages: 7 � 12 / 12 � 17: Suggested Square feet per person: 10 square feet in department. 12 square feet in classrooms. 18-22 square feet in multiuse classrooms/department rooms.

Slide 12:Space Requirements:Adults

Ages: 18 and up- Suggested Square feet per person: 10 square feet in departments. 12 square feet in classrooms. 18-22 Square feet in multiuse classrooms/department rooms.

Slide 13:Plan for Technology

Consider . . . Television Video (in house) Computers Telephones

Slide 14:Plan Flexible Space

Build fewer rooms and make them larger, rather than building lots of small rooms. Minimize interior load-bearing walls. Locate difficult to move spaces on the periphery. Use movable and flexible wall systems.

Slide 15:Considerations:

Room proportions... Two units width/three units length for Children�s departments. Three units width/four units length for Preschool departments. Three units width/four units length for all other age groups is recommended. Ceiling heights of eight to ten feet.

Slide 16:Considerations:

Windows... Of adequate size and number to allow enough daylight to the space. Sills low enough for occupants to see the exterior. (Important for preschool and children�s department rooms.) Light control for A/V, control of excessive brightness, safety, security.

Slide 17:Considerations:

Lighting... Soft, uniform, adequate for reading and a cheerful atmosphere. Light level between 35 and 50 foot candles. Indirect lighting in rooms for bed babies. Electrical Outlets... Outlets every 12 feet on each wall in room.

Slide 18:Considerations:

Floor coverings... Carpet: Advantages: Acoustical absorption and warm environment. Disadvantages: Difficult to clean adequately when used in a Preschool or Children�s Department. Vinyl: More easily cleaned, less likely to trip children

Slide 19:Considerations:

Wall finishes... Semi-gloss paint or vinyl covering: Light reflective value of around 70%. Washable. Color choices include pale yellows, blue-green, green, tan, and peach. Accents are okay if not overdone. Large rooms should have an accent wall in a contrasting shade of the same color.

Slide 20:Considerations:

Teaching Wall... Uncluttered wall that can be used for visuals and other teaching setups. Finished in a color or texture that would allow use as a projection surface. Install a picture rail or tacking strip. Murals should be discouraged. Changeable media can accomplish the same purpose.

Slide 21:Considerations:

Storage... Cabinets appropriate for each age group should be provided in each department room. A resource room for children and preschool areas is recommended. Plan for more storage than seems necessary.

Slide 22:Special Considerations:

Multiple programs Handicapped persons Weekday education Media Library Highly visible, located in a traffic area. 1 � to 2 square feet per person, based on capacity of the building.

Slide 23:Uplift the Spirit

Build spaces that . . . Appeal to the senses. Are beautiful to see. Are wonderful to experience. That uplift the Spirit.

Slide 24:For More Information . . .

Florida Baptist Convention: (800) 226-8584, ext. 8210 www.flbaptist.org Lifeway Christian Resources

Slide 25:Designing Education Space