 FIRST
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
OF SAN FRANCISCO |
| FIRST
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
OF SAN FRANCISCO |
Building 5 Story - Part 3:
Details of Our Proposed Building
We are expressing our faith and theology through brick, glass and
wood. Consider joining our path!
 Welcome |
| Who
are we? |
| Where
are we? |
| When
do we gather? |
| What's
new? |
| Who
are our contacts and links? |
| What
is our history? |
 What
is our future? |
In Part 1, a history of how the church came to want a new building
is explained. In Part 2, the decisions defining how we got to the
design is discussed. This part (Part 3) details our current design
concept, and how we seek to design a building that best spreads the grace
of God and continues the ministry of Jesus in San Francisco .
Share the details of our proposal below: Accepting a bold challenge to bringing Christ's message directly to people where they live.
Congregational Approach to the
Design Process
Exterior Design
Interior Design
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 Part
1: Moving the Congregation
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As Congregationalists, the design process poses challenges and joys, as we seek to find a common vision in the congregation that matches the visions of the "master" architects, who understand and contemplate issues of design in their daily careers.
Our architects had helped us decide the feasibility regarding construction and with assistance from Robert Wandel (UCC Fellowship of Architects), a weekend of events was planned to start the process. An all day workshop on Saturday brought together our congregation and architects to envision our new worship home. We heard ideas and concepts, observed pictures and designs, and were challenged to always remember the theology behind all the decisions we would be making in our design concepts. An exciting time to dream was begun in building our new house of worship.
From previous workshops, we knew what principles were important to us. These were translated into the basic elements that we wanted in our new church home: Orientation of the spaces for community and congregational use. Accessibility to all. Natural light, wood, fresh air, and plants. Places to recognize our history.
Through developing a sample weekly calendar, we had basic consensus as to what spaces we needed -- narthex, sanctuary, fellowship hall, offices, library, choir room, small classroom and conference room, patio/garden, and chapel.
We also new from preliminary discussions about the general positioning of the various spaces. We had previously recognized that the building site constraints generally would require that fellowship be on the first level, worship activities on the upper level, and other activities in the basement. We also knew that the presence must focus on the corner of Polk and Bush Streets, to encourage visitors to come from the corner (and use the crosswalks rather than "jay-walk") and to establish visibility on both streets.
Our January workshop began a fascinating process of discerning the differing
dreams the congregation and the architects, and navigating those dreams
according to planning and building codes. We dreamed of how the space
flowed together, but often had to rethink our ideas because of code restrictions
or other great ideas that conflicted. For a group of people who had
NEVER built a home, much less a church building from the ground up, this
was an education.
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The Spiritual
Message of The Floating Roof. Our Sanctuary space has been placed
to the Polk/Bush corner of the lot and will present a strong statement
of who we are and what we value. The space will be topped with a
sheltering roof structure that will be bisected with skylight strips.
It will appear to float above the sanctuary with the use of wide clerestory
windows just under the roof and surrounding the whole space. This
will provide daytime worshipers with abundant natural light and be a dramatic
exterior feature for evening events. The overhanging roof design
will give a sense of home and shelter on this busy corner. At night,
the design of windows that ring the sanctuary will provide the effect of
a roof floating on the light from the sanctuary.
Integration with the Street. The main entrance will be at the Polk/Bush corner, directly under the Sanctuary. It will be at ground level and provide an easy and inviting welcome to the building. Large windows along both Polk and Bush will provide a view into the fellowship hall and church offices to show the life of the building to all who pass.
The Textures of the Exterior. Textures are seemingly a
secular issue, the congregation With surfaces of stone, metal and glass,
like the Trinity, the church offers a variety of textures and colors.
Along with careful use of plantings, these textures are to be blended with
warm hues, denoting a life-giving building.
| Glass is an important symbol for this building. It indicates that we are an "open" church to all, and have nothing to hide. It provides persons inside with the experience of outside activity. The windows are to be treated with special coatings when at street level, discouraging street vandalism such as acid etching and breakage. | Brick will frame the building on the sides
signifies the "foundation" of God. A composite material, it is
intended
to be graffiti-proof and of a lighter wait than pure stone. The
brick chosen for the building is deliberately multi-colored to reflect
diversity and provide interest. The bricks are of two different
sizes, delineating horizontal lines visible from the street. |
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Each space within the building is a deliberate decision to serve or support the activities of a church -- to provide meditative and celebratory worship, to serve, to celebrate fellowship and to educate. Important details on each floor: The key features of each floor are described below, with the positions in relation to their location in the building.
STREET LEVEL: COMMUNITY LIFE
The ground level is the "hub" of constant activity for the congregation. The space is designed to be useable throughout the week, enabling church functions, non-profit meetings and other mission activities to occur without disturbing the rest of the building. For example, the ground floor entry will lead to a meeting place for community groups and nonprofit organizations, the chapel and church offices. A central processional staircase will draw people up to the sanctuary level. The streetscape will reflect a pedestrian appeal and provide an inviting face to the neighborhood. Windows into the fellowship hall and offices will show an active inviting view of our building.
In our previous building at Post and Mason Streets, we welcomed many
community organizations as varied as meal programs and performing arts
space to wedding receptions and recovery groups. It is our
intent to make the space a community asset and a reason to come to Polk
Street.
| Community Hall. About one-third of the first
floor will primarily be the community hall. Windows on Polk Street
will provide an inviting view into this special events room. With
easy access from the entrance, this will become an active space for both
church and community activities.
The rear of the community hall will leads back to a rear lobby that
links it with a rear garden, the kitchen and the chapel.
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Daytime Chapel. The main hall will lead to the chapel in the center of the building. This shows the symbolic “heart” of the structure and it allows the chapel to be open for worship and meditation whenever the building is in use. The chapel will be a quiet space, allowing for inward focusing as part of worship needs. The space will have a multiple function, as a gathering spot for prayers, pastoral care, ministerial conferences, small group education and conducting of small ceremonies, as needed. The pastor's office is connected to the chapel to allow greater flexibility and access. Just outside of the chapel is a rear lobby opening to a tranquil garden. |
| Uplifting Entrance Area and Greeting Area.
The first experience of the building is its lobby. To give a sense
of welcome the main doors will be at grade level on the corner of Polk
and Bush. The space will allow for easy orientation and access to
the fellowship hall, chapel and church offices. Guests will also
be drawn up the distinctive staircase to the sanctuary.
The church offices will be next to the entrance to provide information and orientation. The pastor's study will be in the back of the office which will also include a conference space. |
Kitchen. Behind the chapel, a full-service kitchen and pantry will allow for easy food preparation. The space will allow for church functions to be prepared beforehand, and then "opened" to the rear lobby and garden following events in the sanctuary or chapel (such as worship services, weddings and union ceremonies). The kitchen will be separate from the fellowship hall to help insure that preparations do not disturb programs and allow greater accessibility to other groups using the building. |
UPPER LEVEL: CELEBRATION AND WORSHIP
Unlike the ground level, the upper level will be space for celebration
and worship. It is intended to provide for more focused events, and
featuring a special blend of indoor and outdoor spaces.
| Meditation Terrace. A terrace space on the Polk Street side of the Sanctuary will provide a visual connection to nature. Thr spaces will allow for an "outdoor retreat" for worshipers. It will be available for prayer and meditation as well as small meetings, classes and services. These will also allow us to connect with nature during worship. | Sky Lobby. This light filled space
provides an exciting transition area before entering the Sanctuary.
With natural light coming from skylights, light court and open-air terraces,
it will be a visually exciting area.
The soft sound of water from a fountain will intensify our sense of preparation for worship and meditation. A clear glass walled section will provide a place for children separate from the worship area. Wrapping around two sides of the Sanctuary with glass walls, the Narthex will be a special place to meet and fellowship. |
| Sanctuary. Passing through the sanctuary doors, we come to our worship space. The high beamed ceiling divided with thin bands of skylight will lift the spirits. The use of wood paneling creates warmth. The side doors opening onto sunlight terraces give a sense of peace and calm. Natural light from clerestory windows and skylights create a rich play of light and shadow and a feeling of the beauty of creation. With no raised dais area the room is completely flexible and makes the participants in worship united in the act of praise. | Children's Terrace. A terrace space on the Bush Street side of the Sanctuary will provide a visual connection to nature focused on hosting children. These spaces will allow for an "outdoor retreat" where children can enjoy fresh air. It will have adjacent storage for toys, coloring books and other kid-friendly materials to inspire kids. Finally, it will be visible from the sanctuary so parents can monitor their children during the service. |
LOWER LEVEL: PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR SERVICE
The floor below the street level will be flexible, allowing for many
functions. These include for a music/media room, library/learning
center, and space for other activities of the church and its mission partners.
| Library/Learning Center. A space retaining the church archives, Christian literature and work tables will provide a retreat space for members and friends. The space will include access to computers so that internet research and communication can occur. | Mission and Service Spaces. A number of smaller rooms will be available to function in the ever-evolving needs of Christain service. Mission partners will be invited to use these spaces for service such as food banks, phone banks and storage, and counseling and other health needs. |
| Music/Media Room. A soundproof room designed to allow for artistic experiences will be a main focus of the floor. The room will be used for choir rehearsals, movies and other presentations that require the special retreat space of a quiet room. | Expansion. As the needs of the congregation and community change over time, this level will contain several unassigned spaces that can be used for storage and expansion as needs arise. In this way, future congregations can tailor the building as God calls. |
We continue to work with our architects, Ron Case and Todd Kimes of
Case Associates, to refine the design and with Gilbert Chan our Owner's
Representative to keep our process moving ahead. Our journey has
been a wonderful example of God's unfolding leadership and guidance.
Not always how we may have wished or directed, but always in community.
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Part
1: Moving the Congregation
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First
Congregational Church of San Francisco