The Family Church of the Southern Tier
The 18,000 square foot building was completed in the spring of 2010. The initial plans were roughly sketched in with only minimal detail. Working with the church, the architect, and a local engineer, we were able to fill in the planning gaps and help develop practical and cost effective solutions that translated the initial ideas into a successful building.
One of the more dramatic features of the building is its use of towering glue-lam arches. These large wooden structures frame the cavernous interior of the main sanctuary and support a panelized roofing system. Reaching 40 feet tall, they span a distance of 90 feet and extend the entire length of the building. The arches support a larch tongue and grove ceiling and a series of foam and OSB board panels that provide for both the insulation and ventilation of the roof.
Due to the large square footage and the commercial nature of the building, an eight hundred amp three-phase electrical service was installed. In conjunction with this, a sophisticated audio visual system was developed for use in the interior sanctuary. The system uses large chandeliers with compact fluorescent bulbs to illuminate the expansive interior. These computer controlled lights utilize a commercial dimming system and work in conjunction with the stage lighting to produce various preset scenes adapted to the church services. The sanctuary also contains a theatrical sized projector that utilizes the rear wall as a screen. This wall was painted with screen goo; a specially formatted acrylic paint designed specifically for use with video projectors.
One aspect of the project that required optimization was the storm water system. In an attempt to fulfill the permitting process, initial plans made use of a boilerplate solution that was out of context with the building and the site. The proposed system attempted to address the storm water with a complex system of underground cisterns and filters. Not only did the system require routine maintenance, but it was unnecessarily expensive and failed to take into account the church’s large parking needs. Working with a local engineer, we developed a series of settling ponds that offered a more effective and less expensive system cabable of handling all the storm water produced on site.
There were also significant issues with the sewer system. Initial plans anticipated the use of a small septic system and sand filter. As the project progressed and more information came to light, it became apparent that the high potential use of the building required a sand filter extending up to an acre in size. This massive filter far exceeded the budget and would have been difficult to situate. Again, working with an engineer and the town of Busti, we were able to develop a new plan that kept the project on track. Instead of using a local septic system, we established a large storage tank with a series of grinder pumps and connected directly to the municipal sewer. This new system offered a more efficient, cost effective and environmentally conscious solution.
Marvin Windows, CertainTeed Shingles and Vinyl Siding, Screen Goo Paint, 3" Tongue & Grove Larch Ceiling, Ply Gem Stone Veneer