Update: Preliminary Concept Design Presentation to the Congregation, May 7, 2023
Scott Richardson (Richardson Design) and Dave Maddux and Rick Benos (Arcus Group) presented an overview of the preliminary concept design for the Social Hall and Kitchen to the congregation following worship. Member input from the initial Social Hall & Kitchen survey, along with data gathered via smaller group meetings and conversations with staff, have all been important sources of information used to come up with the initial concept design.
Dave Maddux began with proposed changes to the West Clifton entrance to make it handicap accessible. Proposed changes include:
- Create a new paved path that will arc from the sidewalk through the current Centennial Garden to a new concrete pad that will be even with the West Clifton doors (eliminates step up into the foyer)
- Relocate Centennial Garden pavers around the new path and reset
- Refurbish steps from the West Clifton sidewalk to the new concrete pad
- Install a new roof structure with gutters to provide better water drainage away from the building
Scott Richardson gave a walk-through of concepts and potential plans for the Social Hall and Kitchen, highlighting improvements to stage, storage, lighting, functionality, and traffic flow. Proposed changes include:
- Build out a new proscenium that incorporates the current plywood stage extension
- Replace plywood stage extension with more solid stage structure, add stage curtains, replace steps at front (perhaps make retractable)
- Improve off-stage spaces & flow; add handicap lift
- Maintain the connector that runs behind the storage areas between the social hall lobby and off-stage area
- Install sliding barn doors to enlarge access to social hall storage areas
- New tables and stackable chairs
- Factor in lighting and acoustics in social hall ceiling treatment
- Add a balcony across the back of the social hall above the main social hall doors for performance sound/lighting control, with access from existing nursery hallway and from the West Clifton hallway
- Install wall of windows in West Clifton hallway that will allow light into the social hall, include motorized blackout shades for privacy & performances
- Improve lighting in social hall and kitchen
- Create a more ‘front of house’ area between the kitchen and the social hall; repurpose pantry as a beverage serving area (similar to parlor), match social hall finishes
- Install sliding door to curtail noise emanating from dishwashing area
- Larger dinner buffet event flow will stay the same; install new (smaller) range with a wing wall for safety
- Refurbish long counter with swing-out stools
- Eliminate perpendicular steam table counters; replace with parallel prep counter
- Dishwashing area works well; no changes identified
- New paint & flooring throughout, including the hall all the way to the Youth Room and the wide main staircase from level 1 to the social hall level
Scott talked through this list of changes by showing architectural drawings and presenting slides of ‘current’ vs. ‘proposed’ images of the various spaces. Two mood boards, representing two completely different palettes, were presented, along with a third mood board showing a variety of ceiling options. A mood board is a visual tool that helps to communicate design concepts and an overall style. It is not a rendering of the actual space, it is a collection of images, materials, color palettes, and other elements that are arranged to evoke a style or feeling.
The meeting then opened up for questions. Click here for the complete list of questions and answers from this meeting.
Scott then provided an update on the project timeline (subject to change):
- Summer 2023: deeper dive into kitchen equipment, mechanicals, etc., incorporate revisions from feedback, come up with preliminary pricing (“opinion of probable cost”)
- Fall 2023: another meeting like this one with a 90% reveal of the plan, begin fundraising
- Late Winter/Early Spring 2024: begin construction
Drawings and the mood boards with sample materials will be available in the West Clifton lobby for members to view through the end of May. Members are asked to submit questions, provide feedback, and cast a vote for one of the two mood boards. Pastor Joanna emphasized that we are developing this plan together, and that input and good suggestions are still coming in and being factored into the design.
Pastor Joanna talks about proposed renovations to the Social Hall and Kitchen to this year’s Confirmation Class.