Churches and Chapels. A Design and Development Guide

101 Pages·1991·12.388 MB·English

by  Martin Purdy and Fred Lawson (Auth.)

Churches
and
Chapels
A Design and Development Guide
Martin Purdy
Dip Arch, Dip TP, DipLlit & Arch, MA, PhD, RIBA, Chartered Architect of the UK
Series Editor: Fred Lawson
y
)
Butterworth Architecture
Butterworth Architecture
An imprint of Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd
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First published 1991
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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Purdy, Martin
' Churches and chapels, - (Design and development
guides).
1. Churches. Architectural design
I. Title II. Series
726.51
ISBN 0-7506-1222-3
Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication
Data
Purdy, M. T. (Martin Terence). 1939-
Churches and chapels : a design and develop
ment guide / Martin Purdy.
p. cm. — (Butterworth Architecture design
and development guides)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-7506-1222-3 :
1. Churches, Protestant—Designs and plans.
2. Churches, Catholic—Designs and plans.
3. Liturgy and architecture.
4. Church facilities—Planning. I. Title. II. Ser
ies.
NA4828.5.P8 1991
926'.5—dc20 90-15000
CIP
Typeset by TecSet Ltd, Wallington, Surrey
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Thomson Litho,
East Kilbride, Scotland.
Foreword ways of going about that task, rather than offering strict
rules: it has been prepared paticularly for those congrega
tions of the Western tradition which seek to balance
sacrament and word with worship and social action. 'Hard'
facts are, wherever possible, avoided, and even numerical
information is treated sparingly - and should be used with
caution! By this method, however, it is hoped the Guide
During the twentieth century, and particularly during its may be of use to a wide range of Christian bodies through
second half, the 'mainstream' Churches of Western out the world, each interpreting the format to suit the
Chirstendom have experienced immense change. There particular local situation. Where sizes are offered, metric
have been liturgical changes, witnessed by a growing units are used, followed by an appropriate imperial equiva
emphasis upon sharing and participation, changes in the lent. Costs are given in pounds sterling. References for
relationship between the different strands of the Church, further reading, detailed sources (especially those for indi
with a greater stress upon those factors held in common vidual Churches) and specific information are provided in
rather than the debates which caused division, and changes Appendix 1.
in the way this broader Church has seen itself in a social The book's six main chapters are grouped under two
context, Christians acting as both servants and critics of the headings: Background and Process. The first two chapters
wider estate. discuss broad ideas and influences and set the scene for
All these movements have had a profound and sometimes today's issues. The four following chapters identify separate
disturbing influence upon the way the Church has under stages in the design process, starting with the need for study
stood its need for building, for places which function well and ending with an agreed solution. The last two stages,
and express some of those deeper meanings of Christian developing the design into firm technical information on
experience: love, integrity, wholeness and beauty. Such which tenders or bids can be obtained, and the actual
appraisal has occurred just when architecture itself has contract of construction, are not covered in detail. For
come under close scrutiny. The erstwhile theories of radical church buildings, the earlier stages of design development
Modernism have not always delivered likeable buildings, are of particular importance and require close personal
and there is now a growing belief in the need to maintain, or contact between the client and design team. The later
at least acknowledge, some continuity with the ideas, values stages still require great care, but are little different from
and works of earlier times. most other types of building contract. The appendices cover
Churches and Chapels aims to resolve some of these dilem matters which do not fit neatly within the main body of the
mas by offering a structured approach to design and text, or where specific clarification is needed. They also
development, whether that be for a new building, or provide references for more detailed reading and guidance
alterations to an existing one. The book concentrates upon beyond the scope offered by this particular work.
Acknowledgements
Many people from all around the world have helped with
the supply of information for this book. It would be
invidious to single out names, and I am grateful for all the
assistance so generously given.
I am particularly indebted to my practice APEC and
fellow partners, for providing me with the time to undertake
the work, and to Geraldine Fisher for all the typing and
word processing.
The sources of individual buildings and photographs are
acknowledged separately. Where no acknowledgements are
given, the photographs are the author's and the buildings
are by APEC.
This book is dedicated to the memory of J.G. Davies
(1919-1990), whose thorough scholarship and enquiring
mind did so much to set new standards for ecclesiastical
building in recent years.
Chapter 1 A strategy identifying and establishing the relative importance of those
issues and needs which require an architectural resolution,
and comparatively less space is devoted to the supply of
for design
irrefutable facts and specific information. The individual
requirements of all the various churches which this book
development aims to help, and the discrete needs and resources of the
particular local congregations which are likely to be in
volved, seem to support the approach of gentle guidance
assisting the process of development, rather than strict
ordinance, laying down absolute standards.
Those seeking further or detailed guidance will be helped
by the more specific lists provided in Appendix 1, which
1.1 Issues and intentions sets out a bibliography and addresses of useful sources of
For those involved with designing churches and chapels, information. In particular, the compilation of information
whether the task be that of new construction or reordering* from The Architects' Journal published in 1967 by the Archi
(retrofitting) older ones, the question of systematic design tectural Press under the title Church Buildings still contains
guidance is perhaps more contentious than for many other useful background knowledge and technical details for
types of building. Some would claim that the issues govern certain denominations. The German book of 1959, Kirchen,
ing ecclesiastical design are quite straightforward, and by Willy Weyres and Otto Bartning, is similar, with still
hardly warrant a special manual: surely everyone knows relevant figures, and the information supplied for church
what a church should be and how it should look? This too buildings in the current edition of the more general text
facile response, however, not only denies the great theo book, Neufert's The Handbook of Building Types, is also
logical changes which have swept through the Christian helpful.
Church during this century, but also ignores the shifts of For Roman Catholics in Britain, The Parish Church,
ecclesiological emphasis of the previous nineteen hundred published in 1984 for the Bishops' Conference of England
years, which have each left their mark on contemporary and Wales, and Stephen and Cuthbert Johnson's Planning
church buildings. for Liturgy (1983), are essential reading. Both provide
Others may take the opposed view, claiming that, for excellent bibliographies. For Catholics in North America, a
today's uncertainties, a fitting architecture, responsive to number of individual dioceses publish guidance notes; one
the complex nature of the Church, defies the apparent of the best packs being that from the Diocese of Albany in
confines of a methodological approach to design. Such New York State, which covers many building matters. In
criticism has some validity, as ecclesiastical architecture the United States, too, the Disciples of Christ Board of
needs to resolve often contradictory and contrasting factors Church Extension and the Office of Church Building from
which seem to have no common ground for analysis and the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries publish
comparison. It may be possible to construct a convincing particularly useful literature. For western continental
planning diagram, based upon well-researched informa Europe, where many countries levy a church tax, there is
tion, but aesthetics and symbolism, important issues for the usually a corresponding organization of building issues
Church, cannot be given a finite value. amongst the respective ecclesiastical bodies, matched in
An even more extreme opinion contends that buildings Britain by the Methodists, whose recent Building Schemes
are an encumbrance, coming between the Church as the Handbook covers a wide range of architectural procedures.
people of God and his mission to the world. This book These reference works are primarily concerned with
acknowledges that argument, but takes the stand that, precise factual information and administrative procedures
whilst buildings must not be a burden, an appropriate pertinent to a particular Church. The purpose of this
architecture can be of great service to the Church. Guide, however, is to offer an approach, a 'design metho
Striking the right balance between quantifiable and more dology' or way of working which can be adopted by any
ethereal issues is not, however, unique to church designers, denomination for a variety of situations, including both the
even if for them it seems the more acute. Similarly, no task of building a new church from scratch and adapting an
designer, even of the most mundane building, can be older one. Behind the strategy for this Guide lie three
regulated by a strictly linear working method. Interesting important precepts: service, standards and study.
ideas, worthy to be tested and retained, may emerge very
early in the programme, well before the brief has been 1.1.1 Service
agreed, whilst information, ideally required early in the Churches and chapels, indeed all places of Christian as
programme, may not be available until after quite funda sembly, should be designed, adapted or reordered so that
mental decisions on the layout have had to be taken. they serve the life and work of the Church in a creative and
Design development is therefore a constantly evolving efficient manner. A fitting architecture can be of immense
and revolving exercise, yet it is a purpose of this series help to the Christian community, and buildings have an
to show how that process can be helped by a systematic effect and influence beyond their merely utilitarian func
approach. For churches and chapels, the acknowledged tion.
complexities can be greatly reduced by careful clarifica It should not be ignored, however, that some church and
tion of the factors which govern e.ach building exercise. chapel buildings can become like millstones, crushing the
Indeed, great stress is placed in the following pages upon life out of their congregations. An over-preoccupation with
the demands of simply maintaining fabric can become an
^Generally the British term 'reordering' will be used throughout. obsession, diverting the Church from its wider mission.
4 A strategy for design development
1.1.2 Standards for nearly thirteen thousand buildings which are officially
All building work should be carried out to the highest 'listed' by the state as being of special architectural or
possible standards of design and construction. Far too historic importance. Nearly half of these fall into the top
many modern churches and chapels have been built too two grades of classification, representing about 20% of the
cheaply, and without enough attention given to the sym country's most important buildings.
bolic meaning of Christian architecture. Churches and chapels often have an historic or landmark
importance beyond their specific function as places for
1.1.3 Study Christian worship and witness, yet it cannot be ignored that
The process of determining the needs which make up the many older church buildings present two distinct but
building programme, and assembling the resources to related problems:
supply and service those requirements, demands careful
1. Changing patterns of population and allegiance have
study and analysis. Much of the ultimate success of a
resulted in too many buildings in certain areas, and
project depends upon the initial work put into briefing and
perhaps too few in others.
scheme design: it should not be short-circuited.
2. Many existing churches and chapels display a size,
It must also be stressed that the whole programme for
shape, layout and atmosphere which seems at variance
design and development is likely to be long and arduous,
with present liturgical practice and Christian outreach.
putting great stress and demands upon both client and
consultants. A visionary approach, firmly based in the A programme for the briefing and design of a church or
realities of the particular situation, yet open to new ideas chapel may well begin, therefore, with an appraisal of
and creative thinking, is of immense benefit, and virtually existing accommodation, in which the following issues are
essential for the larger and more intractable exercises. likely to be under consideration:
These criteria are supported by two fundamental and 1. Alteration of, or modification to, existing premises,
interdependent approaches to the whole exercise; a theolog improving the accommodation, yet still retaining, in
ical framework, locally interpreted. principle, the present use.
2. Extension or addition to the church or chapel to
1. Projects involving ecclesiastical building should be
provide more space or new facilities.
theologically inspired, seeking their expression and
3. Maintenance or refurbishment to improve appearance
meaning in a Christian understanding of the nature of
and facilities and to prolong life.
God and his actions in the world. Whatever is cons
4. Conversion of existing premises involving some change
tructed should reflect that understanding. Schemes
of use. At one extreme, this might involve the sale of the
which have not been so founded will always reveal an
whole building for its conversion into, for example, an
incompleteness, despite any apparent merits in their
arts centre, library or even housing. Another ex
architectural forms.
ample might see the retention of part of the shell for
2. All actions in the briefing and design process should be
continued ecclesiastical use, but allowing others to take
firmly based in the reality of their locality. This is likely
over spare capacity. A third way could be for the
to entail a demographic study of the area served by the
building to be shared with a sympathetic partner;
church, an assessment of the developing life of its
allowing the structure to remain, but to be put to wider
congregation, and appraisal of other local Christian
use.
groups and the role they, or other sympathetic partners,
might play within the proposed development. As many congregations and their design consultants using
this Guide will already be the custodians of existing pre
1.2 Adapt or replace? mises, their initial task will be to analyse how appropriately
All buildings represent, amongst other things, energy, the present buildings can, or should, be altered. It is
labour and materials which either cannot be replaced or advised that this process of assessment and evaluation is
can only be replaced at great cost, and whilst this whole considered within the feasibility study as structured in
series is primarily concerned with the provision of new Chapter 3 and not treated as something totally different
accommodation, it does not preclude the reuse of older from the design development of a new building. Indeed,
buildings. Similarly, although high land values in some where such a situation pertains, a prime task of the
urban centres have witnessed the rapid redevelopment of feasibility exercise (which is especially important for
commercial sites, there is a growing awareness of the all ecclesiastical building projects) will be to scrutinize
benefits of conservation: both to husband resources and to in an organized manner the existing accommodation. A
safeguard heritage. specific method for this task is included in this Guide
as Appendix 2.
Throughout this book 'conservation' is used to describe the upkeep of
older buildings for continuing - or new - use. This definition allows
1.3 The importance of feasibility and briefing
for sympathetic alteration or addition. (Preservation here assumes
Once a local congregation or central ecclesiastical agency
that a building is kept within a fixed and finite form: 'restoration'
has decided to investigate the possibility of altering or
that it has been put back into an ideal state, within which it is usually
converting an existing church building, or erecting a new
preserved.)
one, the first phase of the project begins. This is the
With churches and chapels, conservation is of particular organization of the information needed to design the
significance, for throughout the Western world they repre scheme through the process of feasibility and briefing. The
sent a large proportion of the acknowledged architectural two stages are often interrelated and it will be stressed
masterpieces. In England alone, the Anglican Church cares throughout this Guide that the whole exercise of briefing
5 A strategy for design development
and design development is neither strictly linear, nor easily called the 'design process' and the term is generally used to
divided into neat, discrete stages. When designing churches describe everything that happens from the time a problem
and chapels, however, the need to identify the specific is first outlined to the finalized design. The method used
elements and emphases of the building is so fundamentally can range from those based on intuition and experience on
important to the ultimate success of the scheme that the one hand to more formal and/or mathematical
'feasibility study', 'brief making', and 'design analysis' will approaches on the other. Whether consciously applied or
be discussed in this book in three separate chapters. The not, virtually all of the procedures will include the following
first of these focuses upon the identification of the particular actions in one form or another:
issues which need to be satisfied, the second expands in
greater detail upon the needs of the idea or chosen option 1. Recognition and definition of the issues and objectives,
which the feasibilty exercise identified as the one to be and consideration of the component sub-problems.
developed, whilst the third assesses the initial architectural 2. Observation and collection of data relevant to the
implications of that proposal. problem.
The documentation for feasibility and briefing can vary 3. Analysis of requirements and data collected.
considerably in length, content and form, depending on the 4. Development of alternative ideas and solutions. Design
nature and complexity of the project. In some simpler can never produce the one correct answer, and from the
schemes, much of the work later described in Chapters 3, 4 innumerable possibilities those that seem most suitable
and 5 could be covered within one exercise, leading to a for the specific problem will be sought.
relatively short statement, covering the client's require 5. Synthesis, or the putting together of ideas for complete
ments and a summary of the accommodation needed to designs.
satisfy them, and ending with a diagrammatic sketch 6. Evaluation, or the testing of alternative designs against
design. Other more difficult projects may require a series of requirements, and optimization.
interim reports, entailing changes of intention and informa
tion as the investigation develops. The design process is rarely a simple sequence of logical
Starting with an inception phase conducted primarily by steps leading neatly from one phase to another - or finding
the client (possibly with professional help - see Section the right answer at each step or phase before progressing to
3.1), feasibility and briefing are developed and constantly the next - but is rather a series of actions comprising steps
refined through a process of communication, investigation, grouped for convenience into phases, some or all of which
analysis and evaluation. The process for feasibility and may occur simultaneously. As new information becomes
briefing is, in other words, one of dialogue between all available, ideas that seemed perfectly adequate at an earlier
concerned; a process of finding out as well as solving step or phase may have to be changed. Indeed, the com
problems, of determining and defining objectives, con plete cycle of actions may have to be reconsidered several
straints, resources, and subjective and objective criteria; of times; and the workings of Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6 represent
determining and exploring what is appropriate and this cyclical process.
possible, evaluating proposals and making recommenda For churches and chapels, the less tangible aspects of the
tions. It should therefore be understood as a time for design process, those issues governing signs, symbols and
education and debate and a means of decision-making, layers of often subtle meaning, acquire supreme impor
encouraging participation by, and feedback from, all those tance: the building must, of course, function in a practical
involved. and economic manner, but ecclesiastical architecture
Following the groundwork prepared by the feasibility should express as well that exciting confrontation between
study (which itself contains some general briefing) a specific the everyday world and the divine: a 'visible reminder of
brief is prepared for the option which the study identified. invisible light' (Figure 1.1a, b, c, d).
The analysis of that material should lead to some tentative Churches and chapels, however humble, should respond
sketch proposals, which are then further expanded and to this congruence of material and spiritual dimensions and,
evaluated in the process known as scheme design. within such serious architectural consideration, there is
Although, as has already been stressed, there is no one excuse for neither superficial cliche nor sloppy thinking.
way of approaching feasibility and briefing, that exercise Unfortunately some designers have interpreted the need
always forms the foundation of the design and constitutes for supreme excellence in church design as an invitation
an integral part of the development process. For these to wallow in vainglorious display; but self-indulgence is
reasons and because there are usually so many factors anathema to ecclesiastical building, where integrity should
involved in even the simplest church or chapel, it is be the key; form and function wedded together within
important that feasibility and briefing be objectively, imagi the fundamental principles which have guided architects
natively and comprehensively developed, whatever the throughout the ages, the more important of these being:
precise method used. It is very important to conduct this
preparatory work in a sound and thorough manner: short 1. The constituent (and sometimes conflicting) elements
cuts and apparently obvious solutions should be treated of the building organized into a comprehensive and
with extreme caution, and similarly the blandishments of recognizable whole, held together by an overall archi
the package dealers (see Section 1.5) thoughtfully resisted. tectural idea. That idea should itself grow out of an
understanding of the building's programme - hence the
1.4 What is design? importance of clear briefing.
The design of buildings is, at its simplest, the creative 2. Spaces complementing and enhancing the activities
development of an idea - in three-dimensional form - to they enclose. Architecture is a three-dimensional art,
solve a specific problem. This problem-solving activity is and, whilst elevations, surfaces and textures are impor-
(a,b)
Figure 1.1 Design development for churches and chapels today
focuses much attention upon aspects of Christian social involvement
and ecumenical experiment. The visual and symbolic importance of
ecclesiastical building, however, remains most important and much
time was devoted by the architect (Charles Moore) and project
committee debating and resolving these complex issues for St
Matthew's Episcopalian Church in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles
(completed 1983) (a). Similarly, great care was taken by John
Scott in his design of the chapel for a religious community at
Futuna, Wellington, New Zealand. The movement of the sun
throughout the day, the play of light through coloured glass and
references to New Zealand's European and Pacific roots were
noted influences on the final form (completed 1961) (b, c).
(Photos: Russell Walden). (d). Chapel for the Benedictine
community of St Andre at Ottignies, Louvain, in Belgium
(architect Jean Cosse, chapel completed 1981) also shows a simple
but refined interior, in which function and symbol are carefully
integrated. (Photo: R. Asselberghs)
(d,c)
7 A strategy for design development
tant, there is more to design than simply applying
fashionable facades to a workable plan.
3. A means of construction, choice of materials and
system of building services which respond to use and
are sympathetic to their users.
4. An architectural image that expresses and proclaims its
purpose, appropriate to the particular environmental
setting.
1.5 Design and construction methods
Within the construction industry, there are two basic
approaches, each with variations, which a client can adopt
for the design and construction of a new building.
One option is to employ a single firm for both the design
and construction of the project, a method referred to
as a 'package deal' or a 'turn-key' operation. Even in
the relatively small yet specialized field of ecclesiastical
building, there are companies offering 'off the peg', stan
dardized solutions, usually employing a prefabricated form
of construction.
It is more likely, however, within this single-firm option,
for an existing congregation to be offered a new building as
part of a redevelopment agreement: the developer taking
over the site and existing buildings and replacing them with
new church accommodation, the rest of the land being put
to commercial use (Figure 1.2). A similar method can be
employed in a brand-new comprehensive scheme with the
developer including a church building within the total
package.
Whilst any of these generally similar approaches appears
to have certain advantages, relieving the congregation of Figure 1.2 The Lutheran church of St Peter had occupied its
development worries, and providing a new building without increasingly valuable site in Manhattan since 1904. In the 1970s
financial risk, or time-consuming design involvement, even the site was redeveloped and a new church provided as part of the
the most altruistic developer is unlikely to offer something deal. The new St Peter's is crisply detailed, but somewhat dwarfed
for nothing. In many such cases, the church or chapel is left by its Citicorp neighbour rising nearly 1000 ft (300 m) above.
with the less attractive part of the site, a building designed (Architect for whole development: Ralph Stub bins and Associates)
by a team with no particular interest or expertise in
ecclesiastical design and with little or no reference to the
specific requirements of the local congregation. Should a provided by the church: later, the majority of the detailed
church be tempted by such a deal, it should insist on being work will fall to the professionals. A contractor is then
party to the overall design decisions on setting, access and employed to build the project. This way of working allows
visual presence of the church building, and ensure that its the freedom to choose a briefing and design team most
own chosen consultants are responsible for contributing suited to the specific needs of the local church. It also allows
towards the specific 'ecclesiastical' part of the scheme. the freedom to obtain competitive tenders for construction,
In principle, however, the 'package deal' approach to the based on the same drawings and specifications, although it
design of churches and chapels is neither to be recom is possible for the design team to negotiate with a single
mended nor to be encouraged. The task calls for consider contractor.
able thought and consultation, and invariably the most
worthwhile results are to be found where a congregation has
spent time in fruitful debate discussing the particular and 1.6 The main participants and their responsibilities
pertinent local issues. The process of briefing and design The two main groups involved in the design development of
can be difficult and lengthy, but it can also be a creative an ecclesiastical building project are the client and the
experience, producing a building made to measure for the design team. Each group may well change its personnel
local congregation. The process itself is very often of benefit during the programme, and there may even be changes of
to the church, providing an opportunity to assess the leadership in either group depending on the particular
fundamental principles of its mission and ministry. demands of the day. In legal terms, the 'client' may also be
The preferable method for the production of a new or a different body at varying stages of the process: initially
reordered church or chapel is therefore the traditional one perhaps part of the ecclesiastical hierarchy at regional or
for the design of buildings: independent consultants diocesan level, which may well retain ultimate responsibil
employed by the congregation after careful selection, and ity throughout the whole scheme. If, however, the project
with the local people fully involved in the briefing and develops to include other partners (a housing association or
design process. Degrees of responsibility will vary during other administrative organization), it may prove simpler for
that programme: much of the leading information will be that partner to be the signatory on the building contract.
8 A strategy for design development
For much or all of the crucial feasibility, briefing and represent different views, interests and ages in the congre
design development phases, however, it is likely that the gation, and might consist of six to ten members, answerable
client will be represented by a select group of the congrega to the governing body of the local church but with a single
tion for whom the project is required (liaising as necessary and specific mandate to work on the building issues. That
with any partners who might be co-operating on the overall group should be able to meet amongst itself, and also with
scheme). The design team is likely to be headed by an the consultant or consultants from the design team with
architect (certainly during the design stages) but may also responsibility for feasibility and briefing. It should be
contain a separate ecclesiastical consultant or professional chaired by a member of the local church, and a record kept
brief writer, especially during the initial feasibility stages. of its discussions and decisions. The constitution of this
The professional brief writer is not common within the committee may change as the scheme evolves, calling in
small and specialized field of ecclesiastical design, where those with particular skills and expertise as needed. Simi
that role is more usually undertaken by an architect with larly, the responsibilities and leadership of the design team
specific interest in the subject, or a theologian with some may change or be augmented as necessary.
building experience. It is likely, however, that one member Briefing and design development become more complex
of the design team will have specific responsibility at if the project involves other partners beyond the local
the feasibility and briefing stage for the co-ordination of church: increasingly likely with community-based schemes.
information gathering and the compilation of the briefing The balance, constitution and even the leadership of the
documents. development committee may vary and change, depending
It is important that the particular responsibilities of the upon the scope and balance of the programme as the issues
participating groups and individuals within those groups is emerge from the feasibility, briefing and design process.
made clear at each and every stage of the briefing and One of the principal tasks of the representatives on the
design process. A clear chain of command and programme working party will be to liaise with the general users for
timetable should be established and a record kept of whom the scheme is being prepared: to elicit detailed
decisions taken. With the possible exception of an indi information and to keep the wider congregation in touch
vidual private house, the task of designing a church or with developments.
chapel calls for perhaps the closest contact between the
client users and their design consultants. Trust, openness
and an ordered and organized method of working are 1.6.2 The design team
therefore essential. The particular merits of a specialist 'ecclesiastical consul
tant' or even a professional 'brief writer' have already been
mentioned and the issue will be discussed more fully in
Chapter 3 (subsection 3.1.3.b). Either that consultant, or,
1.6.1 The client more likely, an architect himself acting in this specialist
It has already been stated that during the process of capacity, will be responsible with the initiating client and
feasibility, briefing and design the crucial client role is likely development committee for much of the early work: cer
to be played by a representative or representatives of the tainly until the implications of the feasibility study evolve
local congregation for whom the scheme is required. If the into the realities of a building brief. Special advice from
building is in a new area, where the local church has not yet other consultants may be needed even at this early stage,
established itself, or the exercise is likely to be large or especially if existing buildings are involved in the exercise: a
particularly difficult, assistance may be required from the structural engineer, archaeologist or art historian.
administrative hierarchy of the church or from others who As briefing and design continues, other, more permanent,
have had experience of a similar problem. members of the design team will be involved. The team is
In Chapter 3, it is suggested that the initial, inception, likely to include (in Britain at least) a quantity surveyor,
phase of the feasibility study is instigated by the minister or together with engineers for the structural and building
a leading member of the laity. For the purposes of this services. An artistic advisor and liturgioligist may be useful
Guide, that person has been given the title 'initiating client' members of the team, especially in the early design stages,
and has the responsibility for preparing a written statement and later a landscape architect, furniture or fabric designer
summarizing the issues and aspirations which are likely to or other specialists from various disciplines, possibly used
govern the building exercise. That agenda should act as a on a short-term or ad hoc basis as dictated by the project.
marker for the working of the feasibility study and initial The responsibilities of this group include advising the client
briefing, although, as the needs and requirements become of the options available, assisting with the development of
clearer, the final brief may diverge quite considerably from the brief, and carrying out the actual designing and manag
this initial statement. ing activities. Specific roles and remuneration must be
Once work on briefing and design starts in earnest, agreed before any individual consultant starts work with
however, it is advisable for a local committee, or separate the design team.
committees covering specific aspects, to be formed: the If the project expands to include other partners, and is
precise size and nature of the group being dependent upon one in which the church building may not be the largest
the size of the task and system of local accountability element, it may, in certain rare cases, be necessary to
favoured by the particular Church. Even if separate groups include an experienced project manager or project con
are used initially to study particular issues of mission and troller who would be responsible for the overall co-ordina
ministry, it is sensible, quite soon, to create a single working tion and monitoring of the total project from inception to
party, which, simply for simplicity, will be called the completion. This person may be an architect, surveyor or
'development committee'. Ideally, that committee should engineer, specializing exclusively in this service, and