Feasibility Report

Hope Church - Praxis Studio

By Susan George Oommen 19445072

Table of Contents 01 Client Study – Hope Church 02 Site Selection – 17 Central Terrace, Beckenham 03 Statutory Implications

04 Social Analysis 05 Precedents 06 Concept 07 Project Brief & Room study 08 Reference List

Client study Hope Church - The anchor of the design research process was based on the functional (spiritual, emotional and rational) requirements of the project. To be able to select a suitable site for the same, the essence of Hope International Ministries (HIM) and its specific needs for Perth were scrutinized.

Holy Trinity as its guide, HIM attempts to achieve 3 goals; disciple making, leadership training, and church planting. However, the overall vision of the church is to contribute to a life-enriching community (vibrancy) and to continue its reputation as a vibrant multicultural organization serving more than 50 ethnic groups. However, as a means of effective church planting, a unique, personalized and authentic outer expression is given to each building governed by the idea of being humility. The scale, therefore is considered as crucially important. Rather than planting a Gothic overpowering building a human scaled, domesticated, and amicable one is encouraged.

Fig 1. Shows the hope church that has already been built.

What kind of Church/ architectural language our client wants: Humble & Earthy

Site Selection Three sites were studied to identify the best location for Hope Church. However, after further studies and analysis, Beckenham was found to be the most ideal location.

Beckenham is a suburb of the city of Gosnells, previously called Buckingham. Bordered by Canning river on the south and Cannington, Queens Park, Kenwick, Maddington, and Thornlie that are major centres of Christianity.

Churches in & around Beckenham (This study was done to indicate that some churches around can mean either further collaborations or current competitions)

Educational Institutions in & around Beckenham (This study was done to indicate nearby educational facilities that the church may attract. For a church to grow, it needs to attract newer generations and youth)

The above maps show the lack of restaurants, shopping centres and other facilities around Beckenham. The site therefore has potentials to grow socially and economically by adding restaurant/café, educational facilities such as rentable seminar rooms, multipurpose halls, function halls, etc. The said initiative will also improve profitability and building value of the venue. These businesses can also help in revitalising Beckenham and may receive community sponsorship.

The above map showcases the minority of nearby hotels and accommodations. Hope Church has many international influences and therefore would require accommodations to host

pastors or elders, etc. Due to the scarcity, research suggests that adding accommodations can benefit Hope Church.

Aircraft Noise (This map shows the noise pollution within the

area due to planes and suggest that the design of Hope Church should have noise insulations.)

The above map shows the transport traffic and major roads in and around Beckenham. The Beckenham Station, which will be the main source of public transportation, is 2 minutes walking distance and is said to be going through a master planning and revitalization process of $250 million.

The City is planning to build a neighbourhood centre on Bickley Reserve on Sevenoaks Street, across the road from Beckenham train station, which could also feature a Woolworths, boutique cafes, housing, shops and entertainment facilities.

Wood lupine Brook has many streams around Beckenham and is currently undergoing a revitalization project.

Selected Site

Statutory Implications The building belongs to Class 9b - Part I1 of NCC Class 9b ꟷ An assembly building, including a trade workshop or laboratory in a primary or secondary school, but excluding any parts of the building that are of another Class.

And the site is a R60/80 as per R-codes which is meant for residential developments. However, under the City of Gosnells Town Planning Scheme number 6 and Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, non-residential uses that are compatible with residential uses are promoted. Parking will be added as per Ncc

Social Analysis

Precedents Church of light by Tadao Ando: Completed in 1989 in Ibaraki

The Church of Light is a perfect example of creating a holy atmosphere using the form of light. Its space gives off a form of purification and meditation due to the angle of the rectangular boxed cross on a freestanding wall. From this study the influence of light and shadow on churches is expressed.

Fig 2 Elevations that show the rectangular box structure. The light flowing through allows focus and lets the users forget the outside world. Tadao Ando designed the church to enhance the natural world in an abstract manner, which idealizes the concept of simplicity. This simplicity is the same of architectural language that Hope church is looking for as it can be clearly seen in the churches they have built previously (see fig 1).

A place that requires a sense of holiness through a play of light is therefore feasible as the project outlook.

Another precedent that can be affiliated to the project concept is the Chichu Art Museum that has a unique spatial sequencing that create particular meditative emotions. Designed by Tado Ando in 2004, it was chosen due to its relationship with architecture and nature. The poetic form and shape allow a strong sense of hierarchy, and the corridors allow a visual continuity. This is a great study for Hope church as it shows fluctuating space created through varied geometries and volumes while also being in harmony with its ecological context.

As the site was selected has a water body nearby, it reflects the significance a water in a spiritual project. "You cannot simply put something new into a place. You have to absorb what you see around you, what exists on the land, and then use that knowledge along with contemporary thinking to interpret what you see." – Tadoa Ando Another perfect example of the above-mentioned aspect is the Bosjes Chapel in South Africa Designed

by Coetzee Steyn. The design was derived from the natural formation of the site. While the typical approach to the design of a church is introverted to find spiritual reflection (church of light as mentioned), this church drifts away from the notion and rather opens outwards. It looks over the natural views thereby forming a relationship between the design and the site. The plan follows a simple and functional layout and the white interior spaces offer a calming experience. Here, it is important to know that architecture is all about building geometry, which has to be in harmony with cosmic geometry. Hope Church aims to be flexible and multicultural with business aspects in mind as well. So ideally have some space for inner reflection and some that are open and influenced by nature can allow the community to come as one harmony. Therefore, becoming part of Beckenham’s development proposal for the Wood lupine brook and extending the building towards it in both physical and visual senses is recommended for the Church design.

Concept

Since the emotional/spiritual realm of a church is high as the graph below, design is generated via the Client’s vision. Hope Church is Christ centred. Everything revolves around Him. He is the light, the beginning and the conclusion for those that are imperfect. Therefore, all functions will have an emphasis on that. It is referred to as CYNOSURE: LUMINANCE FOR IMPERFECTIONS.

-Rational-emotional graph developed by Le Corbusier-Basic Concepts in Architecture In terms of feasibility, producing an architecture with such a theme can be vastly beneficial to the trademark of the Hope church, Ronchamp Chapel was, to France. The above emotional/spiritual concept will also be interpreted in a doable and practical resolutions that will make the building sit well on the site, in terms of socio-cultural, environmental, and economic terms, as follows.

Cynosure interpretation 1: Locate and link 'lost' urban spaces, including infills and network them to create desirable hubs of urban activity: from urban rupture to rich connectivity.

One of the main goals of Hope Church is to strive at community enrichment. Though Beckenham is a suburb it lacks active spiritual or moral community hubs. Therefore, the return brief intends to introduce a series of community functions attached to the church that can generate the same.

Cynosure Interpretation 2: Allow environmentally defined city identities and urban aesthetics via responsive building envelope systems for mid- and high-rise buildings.

Hope church observes that many things are not within human control but is God’s will and therefore encourages humility in members. A simple fact such as the environment is not in our control is proof of that. Therefore, changing aspects of nature are to be brought into the church enclosure. Daylight and artificial light are to be expressions of that changeability. Personal pace, birth, growth, challenges, triumphs…

Cynosure Interpretation 3: Remobilise and restore native riparian landscape to allow environmental therapy, recreation, education, and sustainable food sources.

The site’s proximity to a large water body can enhance the symbolism of water in Christianity that are salvation, healing and being born again in Christ. As water depicts psychological healing and is also the agent common to all cultures it is to be part and parcel of the design exercise, to create unity among hybrid cultures. It is also to be a tool that produces a familiar domesticated feeling. A concept of fluctuating, mercurial, volatile, ambivalent, and fluid space to represent imperfections and to embrace differences.

Architectural language: Cynosure is the ultimate need for chaos. Chaos and human imperfections will be symbolically represented by a jagged architectural language and its rise and fall. The first design option that had only 2 floors was replaced with 3 floors so that it can accommodate the proportions for the said undulations, as well as a better sustainable solution of reduced footprint and feasibility.

Spatial sequencing: Three options for spatial progression was tested in the initial design. They were inspired by 3 implementation strategies: one-flexibility and multipurposeness, fluctuating space and a biophilic approach of leaf venations. It further extended to 3 design options that mimicked 3 types of spatial venations: parallel, spinal and radial. The spinal approach was found to be most suitable and flexible as the spatial arrangement.

Materiality: Concrete, CLT (Cross Laminated Timber), salvaged timber and aluminium were selected as feasible project materials as a passive approach. Some stone finishes were incorporated as an ‘earthy’ solution to areas that need an amicable expression.

Climate: The buildings orientation allows maximum façade area towards the northern direction making it possible to capture and bring winter sun into the building. Its L shaped form also manoeuvrers shorter façade towards the south thereby avoiding harsh summer sun. However, shading devices and large overhangs will be place on the said façade. Cool breezes will be available from the side of the brook that will cool the air flowing into the building.

Acoustics: The multipurpose hall will be mostly enclosed with walls and equipped with soundproofing measures including a jagged surface texture that aligns with the architectural language.

Services: Separate access via a hoist will be provided for the green room of the auditorium along with a separate external fire staircase. The distance to the fire exits are in compliance with the NCC stipulations.

Project Brief A Christian congregation Hope Church Perth meet in various locations, including in Vic Park, without being able to find a permanent shelter with a. spiritual and spacious ambience b. with dedicated spaces for different uses yet flexibility for multi-purpose and to c. grow and sustain the values of the faith community. + Aspirational brief: a church for a Christian congregation with a multicultural and multi-ethnic community.....? + Vision: a place for " Our vision which aligns with H.I.M. is to 'Build the People and Build His Church' in order to fulfil God's Great Commission " + Location: 17 Central Terrace, Beckenham + Consider cost-benefit analysis for typical scenarios such as a. empty site for a new building b. site with existing building/s of some use: building while taking advantage of existing facilities c. adaptive reuse d. other + Potential site: a vacant land/a land with an existing building to add on/existing building to occupy and develop + Capacity: 200-250 followers and visitors; again, consider growth a. Business as usual (Café and function hall) b. 5% - 10% growth (Further extension possible) + Multipurpose: soup kitchen, classes for skill-building, youth meetings, ........? +

Functional brief: Rocks church floor plan as a template a. Main wing 200-250 capacity multipurpose auditorium - high ceiling with mezzanine, stage with backstage (Green room) b. Parent rooms with pantry, toilets, and Curtin rooms. c. Baptism room (infinite pool) that can be closed when not using d. Sunday school and youth classrooms that can be flexible for other educational purposes. e. Media area f. Counselling room for adults g. Facility wing (multipurpose counselling for children)- 3 purpose-built kids rooms with attached kids toilets - one is a sensory room and open office area, more storage h. Storage i. Middle - reception, toilets, and universal bathroom with shower area j. Café area for serving morning tea.

k. Function hall that can be rented out for weddings or other functions. l. Daycare for kids m. A commercial kitchen that works together with the function hall n. Parking for 60 vehicles o. Centrally planned building in the middle of the site with allowance for cars to be able to move between parking zones p. Energy efficient (sustainable, affordable and adaptable regenerative architecture.....? q. Acoustically designed into space like the auditorium to minimise noise pollution r. Accommodations for visitors and staffs of Hope church. Another business aspect is for Hope Church to rent out some rooms for future business benefits, as housing is becoming a scarcity issue.

Reference List •

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