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PARISH MINISTRY CENTRE PROPOSAL
DESIGN SUGGESTIONS

Date Received Relates to Suggestion Architect's Response
2/1/2007 Child Protection Is it possible to have all interview rooms and offices fitted with some sort of glass so that doors can be closed for privacy to allow people to talk, yet also still be open to view. This is an issue from both a child protection point of view as well as protecting staff and parishioners. As cost is important perhaps the doors could be half glass. Of course this is a problem if the cry room is also an interview room as this is where women will breastfeed and no-one wants a glass door there! Noted. This requirement will be incorporated into the detailed design phase, however a larger window is already provided in the Interview/cry room.
15/12/2007 Cry Room There is no indication of a window from the crying room to the nave – thus people using the crying room cannot see the service. Now included
15/12/2007 Communications There is no indication of a comms area in the plan. (Assume servers, IT network equipment, telephone and internet system, security etc) Noted. A Comms area will certainly be required, but has yet to be finalised.
14/12/2006 AV & Multimedia This should really be designed better to handle sound, video and computer presentations if we are to catch up with digital multimedia. To facilitate this I think you are going to need a couple of computers and monitors, possible laptops but they are not ideal. At a minimum the desk will need to be able to display a monitor for the powerpoint being given, as well as other video etc that will be being presented. A second computer and monitor will be needed for sound and video recording, post production (rendering etc) and burning. Noted. Detailed A/V and comms reqts will be properly spec'd out in the detailed design phase.
14/12/2006 AV & Multimedia We may also want a mirroring display for the singers to read off. I think we need more desk space to allow notes and at least one laptop in case there is a technical problem or someone wants to run directly from their own portable machine. A network connection hub/ point would be an advantage. Noted. Detailed A/V and comms reqts will be properly spec'd out in the detailed design phase.
14/12/2006 AV & Multimedia I would also like to see enough room for two people to operate the equipment, and not have the sound board really block a second person from assisting fully. The main reason I am mentioning the desk is that I wonder if the current location for the desk is really suitable since people will at times be behind it. Most public theaters have such control areas up high at the back of the venue to allow the controllers a better view of the goings on, and to limit the distraction lights and screens have to those at the event. Perhaps we should move the desk into a corner and elevate it or place it on the second level where it would have a better view of proceedings and be more out of the way. Noted. This can still be accommodated in the detailed design phase.
14/12/2006 Video Projector I think we need to look at where we can mount a permanent projector or projectors to display the powerpoint (music, sermon, announcements, video etc). Ideally it should be up high for clear view and safety reasons. I would recommend we seek to get a projector that uses DVI connectors with our system to keep the whole thing digital. Noted. This can still be accommodated in the detailed design phase.
14/12/2006 Video Cameras I think we need to consider whether we are going to video record some or all sermons for the benefit of attendees and so we can look at distributing sermons to others, even streaming on the internet. It may seem like cutting edge now but its not. In 5-10 years it will be the par for most progressive Churches. Several are already strong with audio now. Again, a digital video camera needs to be mounted above but not too high overhead. e should at a completely digital (hard disk) solution, for best interoperability with what I assume will be a computer network in the Church. Two cameras would allow a view of the poduim speaker and a view of the whole stage which would be a better outcome for when we wish to show the singers to other areas of the church or on any video. Noted. This can still be accommodated in the detailed design phase.
14/12/2006 Computer Network I assume that the building will be being properly cabled with CAT6 network cabling for large file transfers and backups, and in some areas HDMI to carry video to cry rooms and other areas that you may wish from time to time to see what's going on in the church. Correct.
14/12/2006 Podium Has any thought been given to putting lighting and even a computer into the new podium area to allow ministers to see and be seen better, and to allow them to run off digital notes and control their presentation from the podium for more natural and better timed presentations. If necessary, this can be included during the detailed design phase.
14/12/2006 Security System If you intend to put in any sort of video based security system then it shouldn't be an after construction thought. This might be overkill and not what we are about, but if it saves on insurance and provides better safety to staff and attendees (children outside) after dark etc, then it should at least be considered. Not included at this stage, but can be incorporated if necessary during detailed design phase.
14/12/2006 Church LIghting and Heating Consider the scale of the rebuilding, we may wish to rethink the lighting (winter fires created that ruddy glow). Not sure if there is a better solution but its not ideal and will make videoing tricky. A lighting upgrade will be required for the main body of the church.
14/12/2006 Existing Building Roof Repairs 15 or so years ago I was told that the church roof had about 10 years life left in it. The original fixings were ungalvanised iron nails and were srarting to rust as evidenced by the number of tiles that had slipped. Obviusly this type of estimate is a bit of guesswork. A corner at the Willoughby Rd/Merrenburn Ave. end of the roof was repaired 6 or 7 years and copper nails used. The roof over the Sancturary end of the church was replaced about 10 years ago supposedly with copper nails. I guess the amount of breakage depends how carefully the tiles are removed. Noted.
14/12/2006 Toilets There is no toilet off the creche area which, especially in a group with maximum kids to leaders ratio, would be tricky as 2 teachers could not leave the class to escort children to the facilities and some age groups would be too young to go by themselves with another child. At the moment having the disabled toilet in the hall is handy as a teacher can send the child off to the toilet easily and keep an eye on them to make sure they are ok. Toilet now included directly off creche area.
14/12/2006 Toilets Also on the toilet topic, if there were events at church, having a larger ratio of women to men's toilets to my mind is a must. The latest design has incorporated this.
14/12/2006 Toilets It would also be good to have a change table in the disabled toilets as at the moment the floor or cry room at church are the only options for changing nappies. Not shown as yet, but will be included in some way.
14/12/2006 Kitchen Just wondering about the size of the kitchen and the facilities in there. As the new hall and church are going to be much more functional and will be able to be used for larger events and events that could go on side by side I think that it is important to have a good sized, functional catering kitchen which will be easy to use for different groups as well as for caterers. I haven't had a chance to compare the size of the current kitchen to that on the new plans however it does not seem to be much larger which I think would be a shame as currently it is not user friendly and is squashy even with just 4 people in there! The kitchen is also used for washing up of paintbrushes etc so it's uses are not purely for food preparation. Main kitchen now significantly increased in size, with provision of semi-commercial appliances. Kitchen also reorientated, with larger serving area.Kitchenette has also been provided for upper level.
14/12/2006 Creche Room Could we have a low preschool style trough sink in the creche hall. This would create an additional wet area in the GLA rooms, which were to be kept as clear (hence maximising utility) as possible. Still under consideration.
14/12/2006 Creche Room Could there be an access to the kitchen from the creche hall? This is relatively adjacent and on same level.
11/12/2006 Planter Boxes This is an unnecessary item that if removed should reduce the cost Planter boxes were originally included to break up the otherwise blank double storey appearance (poor visual amenity). They have been removed in current design, with a break in wall height achieved via alternate means.
11/12/2006 Planter Boxes The planter boxes will create a maintenance issue and over time may lead to leaks etc They have now been removed.
11/12/2006 Roof Pitch My understanding is that a pitched roof is cheaper than a flat roof due to the extent of waterproofing measures required Noted. The latest design has a low angle pitched roof.
11/12/2006 Large Upper Room The two large upper rooms need to be one room with no discontinuities and no angled sections in the walls Latest design accomplishes this, with seating for 100 people.
11/12/2006 Large Upper Room This room needs to have all the functionality of a church, ie a Cry Room (put a double glazed window in the Meeting Room and it can serve this purpose), a high enough roof that allows a screen to be seen when everyone is standing, a PA system and possibly some sort of movable dias for the leader/preacher Latest design accomplishes this, with seating for 100 people
11/12/2006 Existing Building Roof Repairs The existing church building is due for repairs and refurbishment of the roof. We have been advised this involves a 20% breakage rate for the slates. If we do this at the time of the building then the slates from the wooden section can be used to cover breakages and thus save costs. Noted.
3/12/2006 Angles The angles in the design will result in a loss of space. Can all the walls be at 90 degrees to each other. This has largely been accomplished, but one of the features of the design is the open space feeling generated by being able to view the large trees at rear, right from the front porch.
24/11/2006 Kitchen I would suggest a larger kitchen as with the increase in rooms and the large hall you will be able to carry out catered evangelistic events. I could be wrong but the current plan looks about the size of a small domestic kitchen, thus would manage tea and cakes and thats about it (even sandwich making looks a bit squashed). I would suggest, obviously if funds allow to put in a couple of commercial machines, eg. wide cooker and hob and dishwasher. Main kitchen now significantly increased in size, with provision of semi-commercial appliances. Kitchen also reorientated, with larger serving area.Kitchenette has also been provided for upper level.
24/11/2006 Kitchen It is also good practise to have two entrances to these sorts of kitchens just so you don't get OH & S disaster with trays of hot things.....I am assuming that you have a shutter to the front to serve from this. Now included.
24/11/2006 Kitchen I would suggest the kitchen continues to the Reception wall and the Reception faces into the porch with a door for access to the meeting and office area. This would help security if only a couple of people are in the building during the week it would allow for you to have the second set of porch doors secure and better visibility from the office. Reorientation has improved this aspect.
24/11/2006 Ground Level Toilets The number of toilets seems low for the potential occupancy of the building. Especially since in my experience they are used in flux like a theatre everyone at once, not that you can cater for this influx, but I would suggest both the size a number is reconsidered, a mother with a child takes over 5minutes and needs a bit more space, that then leaves on toilet available for up to 20 people at time. Toilet facilities have been increased and are now well in excess of BCA requirements.
24/11/2006 General Rooms I would suggest a small kitchen sink and water supply to all rooms, for tea and coffee making facilities (rather than carry kettles or trays throughout the building) or for cleaning of messes by children. Both the upper and ground floors have kitchen facilities in close proximity to meeting rooms. Creche also has a toilet and hand basin adjacent.
24/11/2006 Childrens Play Area A ramp maybe helpful to this area rather than stairs as I would assume a lot of prams. The difference in levels between the front area and the play area will be too great for a ramp. However the major access will be from the creche room, which is at the same level.
24/11/2006 Fire Stairs I think the code puts "house of worship" and "public entertainment" into the same basket, if there is a problem ie smoke in the central stair and you have a full house upstairs, they will obviously be alerted to it through the detection system but would then need to descend into it (just think how much smoke burnt toast produces before your home smoke detector rings). If its possible to have a second external stair from the rear meeting room this would alleviate this problem. A rear fire stair has now been included.
24/11/2006 Upper Level Toilets Same comment as above but since a lift is being installed I would suggest a disabled toilet also upstairs (which is mainly used as a baby change anyway). Provision of a lift means we don't need to provide a disabled toilet upstairs. There is also insufficient room for such a facility given the increase in total toilet numbers.
24/11/2006 Office on Exterior Wall This maybe a council requirement for no overlooking windows on the exterior wall but I believe as an office is a habitable room you will require some form of window. Would council allow you to have more planting on that side, and thus windows can be obscured. Yet to be included. As noted, overlooking is the issue.
16/11/2006 Kitchen A number of women were concerned that this was perhaps not large enough if we were to hold large scale events onsite. For example Women’s Dinners, Men’s Dinners and Parish events requiring catering. The question was raised “Is this going to be a commercial style kitchen” with the implication being that this would be desirable. Is this the vision? Main kitchen now significantly increased in size, with provision of semi-commercial appliances. Kitchen also reorientated, with larger serving area.Kitchenette has also been provided for upper level.
16/11/2006 Kitchen The kitchen’s current location, whilst reasonably central does not seem to be close enough to where it would be needed for catering for young children or even youth type events (dinners after F/X, morning tea/lunches for Playtime children and so on). The kitchen is a key component to these ministries and the easier access the better. Has this been considered? Kitchen is approx 13m from the 70 m2 GLA, which is a good compromise when other locational constraints considered. Primary use will be for morning teas, for which it is ideally located.
16/11/2006 Toilets The question was asked: are there enough toilets to cater for a full centre? It looks on initial observation that there are not that many more than there are currently. Is it possible to have more? Or have people toilet ratios been adequately accounted for already? Toilet facilities have been increased and are now well in excess of BCA requirements.
16/11/2006 Toilets For crèches, toilets need to be fairly close by due to the age and stage of the children. The toilets on the plan look to be a fair way away from where the young children will be. We really do need toilets close to where the action is, so to speak. Can this be arranged? Toilet now included directly off creche area.