CHURCH ARCHITECTURE
Designing for the spirit.
Worship, like everything else, evolves with time.
University of Kentucky School of Art & Visual Studies
More likely than not, the church you envision today is not the church of your youth. Today, places of worship are the family “third space� - the location in which they spend a significant amount of time beyond their home and workplace/ school. As such, there are important design factors that have far-reaching effects on the quality of spiritual fulfillment as well as the bottom line.
University of Kentucky School of Art & Visual Studies
Experience that Matters Since its inception, Omni Architects has planned and designed some of the most transformative worship spaces in Kentucky, creating places where people naturally connect with their higher being and with each other. This is the foundation upon which places of worship are designed, so we work with our clients to create spaces where community and connection can take place in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. The clear connection of a church’s facilities with its culture, ministry, and leadership creates an inspiring environment within a congregation. The facilities should clearly communicate the unique personality of the institution to members and visitors alike. Because each ministry has its own unique DNA and each fellowship holds unique gifts, no two buildings are the same. As with all things related to a ministry, the church’s vision should be the driving force when it comes to its facilities. Buildings are simply tools to be used in the pursuit of the ministry’s vision. When embarking on a building project, new or renovation, the vision becomes the guide against which all design decisions are measured. From leadership and worship teams, to youth and music programs, each division of the church should be engaged in the visioning process. By taking a deep look at who you are as a mission and working through your growing pains, you have the opportunity to refine your vision, stretch your faith, and open your eyes to new ministry possibilities. Omni Architects offers this guide as a preview of our experience and as a reference for your planning exercises.
More than Sunday Church members carefully consider commitment of their precious “third place� time choices to maximize experience away from home and work. Churches are answering the call by creating engaging places with amenity-rich spaces for people to enjoy seven days a week, whether for worship, education, recreation, socializing or business.
Centenary United Methodist Church - Lexington, Kentucky
NKU Student Union - Highland Heights, Kentucky
Eastside Christian Church Family Life Center
NKU Campus Recreation Center
Flexible & Diverse Effective churches utilize facility tools featuring flexibility and diversity in their offerings. From multipurpose activity lobbies, flexible office space, intelligent classrooms, to multi-use chapels, every space is being designed with future change-ability in mind.
Centenary United Methodist Church Gymnasium
Council of State Governments Headquarters - Lexington, Kentucky
Community Minded Meaningful and inspirational gathering experiences are the core of any church body, as well as the community it serves. Providing a place to foster and facilitate community interactions, whether intentional or spontaneous, is an opportunity for any church campus. Providing interior and exterior informal common area gathering spaces provides a format for interaction.
Money Wise
Financial stewardship requires choices between many demands, including mission as well as physical infrastructure. Church facilities are effective tools complementing church vision. Intelligent facility investments can be evaluated against long-term operational costs to determine the best value for a church’s return, maximizing precious stewardship decisions.
Ransdell Chapel - Campbellsville University
Ransdell Chapel - Campbellsville University
Ransdell Chapel - Campbellsville University
Urbanization
Institutional campuses are moving toward community places encouraging greater connectivity with neighborhoods and local non-church organizations. This appeals to Millennials who prefer walkability and amenity-rich environments.
St. Gabriel Church - Louisville, Kentucky
Making Connections
Connectivity on an intimate level within the church body strengthens the worship experience and increases the church’s value to the neighborhood it serves. Worship spaces are designed to foster a powerful connection between pastor and body. Campuses are designed to integrate into the community.
St. Gabriel Church - Louisville, Kentucky
Church of the Resurrection - Lexington, Kentucky
Green Practices
Authenticity is an important value as a reflection of truth and honesty. Architecture embracing a rational and original aesthetic with naturally and locally sourced materials, daylighting, exterior views and comfortable amenities provides a backdrop for genuine interaction of members and visitors.
Cathedral Domain Dining Hall - Lee County, Kentucky
“We have had many comments about the beauty of our Sanctuary. It is so usable and we have been able to have a worshipful atmosphere as well as to use the facility for musicals, dramas, and other unusual activities. The symbolism of the Sanctuary is very appropriate, and we find that people are very pleased .”
Noel White, Pastor Trinity Hill United Methodist Church Lexington, Kentucky
“The finished ‘product’ is not only aesthetically pleasing, but has proved to be most functional. The people at Omni have taken pride in their work with us, and it shows!”
The Rev. Robert D. Matheus, Rector St. Raphael the Archangel Episcopal Church Lexington, Kentucky
“During the planning process the architects were responsive to our needs and desires. We appreciated their response to input concerning the building and their ability to respond to our ideas. They were also very good at keeping us abreast of each stage in the design pro-cess... Omni was extremely helpful in finding ways to enable us to construct our building within our budget.”
Bruce W. Boss, Vicar Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Nicholasville, Kentucky
“The design awards that the church and multi-purpose building received from your peers also speaks of the quality of your work as well as affirming the great satisfaction of the parish as a whole and the building committee. Given that we asked you back for the se-cond major construction project speaks for itself of our level of satisfaction.”
Rev. William D. Hammer, Director Office of Ecumenism Archdiocese of Louisville
“Throughout the planning and construction, Omni Architects has been very helpful. They have listened well as we identified our needs and they have been faithful in designing to accommodate those needs. The architects have always been very professional and have provided us with good advice every step along the way. They keep a vigilant eye on construction costs to help us stay within the project budget.”
Sister Theresa Knabel, Project Director Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Center Nazareth, Kentucky
“The experience and concepts of Omni were the most significant fact in our building’s development.”
John G. Allen, Jr. Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Winchester, Kentucky
212 N. Upper Street | Lexington, Kentucky 40507 | 859.252.6664 | www.omniarchitects.com