master planning

We invest a considerable amount of time before we draw one line.  This initial time is spent meeting with the leadership and user groups to listen carefully to their needs.  We lead the process and produce all the meeting notes for your review.  The final product of the programming process is a statement of the Goals and Objectives, along with a written square footage program.

We produce a graphic site analysis, graphic program, multiple site design studies, floor plan studies and, elevation studies for your review and comment.  Ultimately, you will have a final plan with superior color graphics to explain the project to the congregation and use in fundraising.

SITE ANALYSIS - Before we can start designing, the initial step is to study and analyze the potential building site. We track existing property lines, flood plains, retention, easements, setbacks, terrain, traffic flow, views, response to surrounding buildings, and solar patterns to determine the most advantageous locations and orientations for a future building.

PROGRAMMING & PROGRAM BLOCKS - After interviewing the institution’s affected groups and teams, we create detailed square footage estimates for proposed work. We break down all the spaces and room capacities and provide a written program of rooms as well as a graphic representation of room sizes called program blocks.

SITE PLAN - We explore the appropriate arrangement of proposed work on the site - aiming for seamless integration of the existing structures with the proposed, creating pleasing exterior spaces, and accentuating the hierarchy of buildings on campus. It is crucial to ensure the proper approach, site lines, and organization are maintained. We also identify how to break the master plan into multiple phases, if necessary.

FLOOR PLANS - Next, we arrange the program blocks on the site in our desired schemes. We color code the different room uses to easily compare square footage and relationships to other uses.

ELEVATION & 3D RENDERINGS - Portraying the building envelope and massing helps convey the overall effect of the finished product. These are particularly enticing graphics for fundraising efforts.

After several months of research, development and design work, we will present architectural renderings of the proposed program, site plans, floor plans, and phased master plans.  The master plan can develop as the project progresses. The intent of a master plan is to ensure that the goals and objectives are met, the program is satisfactory, the arrangement and orientation of buildings is intuitive, and the final scheme is truly desired and feasible.
The master plan design is a "road map" for the future. It is used to share the vision of the future. It is also used to get preliminary pricing from a contractor to use as a target for fundraising and to inform how much of the master plan scope to develop first.