"If you build it, they will come..."
This is a belief of many church officials, believing that a new facility will draw members.
In the Holy Bible, Psalms 127:1 states: "...Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain..."
The church facility should accommodate God's people while He draws them in. Building is not always the right choice.
The church facility should accommodate God's people while He draws them in. Building is not always the right choice.
Although buildings are my first love, and some new structures are masterpieces, sometimes building should be a second, even third choice. Building new facilities are not the only answer. Many church officials must learn when NOT to build a new facility. Planning is key.
GREEN FACTS:
Buildings consume more than 40% ($359 billion dollars per year) of our nation's energy.
Renovating an existing building along with reusing materials is a more sustainable way to build.
Building new construction takes away open land that can be used for green space. Providing green space offers the opportunity for additional greenery that can add oxygen to the atmosphere while cutting back on storm water runoff.
"Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly into a lake, stream, river, wetland or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water..."
(http://www.epa.gov/weatherchannel/stormwater.html#solution).
Following are a few tips to guide you in planning your church building project:
Building new construction takes away open land that can be used for green space. Providing green space offers the opportunity for additional greenery that can add oxygen to the atmosphere while cutting back on storm water runoff.
"Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly into a lake, stream, river, wetland or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water..."
(http://www.epa.gov/weatherchannel/stormwater.html#solution).
Following are a few tips to guide you in planning your church building project:
-Create Building Committee and familiarize the members with recent practices in building.
*Green Alternative: Choose energy efficiency, green design and renovation as your building project choices.
*Green Alternative: Choose energy efficiency, green design and renovation as your building project choices.
-Utilize a Commercial Real Estate Agent familiar with the area where you are planning your facility.
*Green Alternative: Choose a Real Estate Agent Designated by the National Association of Realtors as a Green Real Estate Agent
(http://www.greenresourcecouncil.org/green_business_network.cfm).
-Choose a Design Consultant.
*Green Alternative: Choose a design consultant with a knowledge of green design practices. Urban Aesthetics provides green design, LEED AP design and green consulting services. (http://urbanaestheticsdesigns.com/).
-Choose to conserve energy when renovating. This can save money as well as energy.
*Green Alternative: Choose an energy consultant to help you plan alternatives to save energy usage and money. (http://www.1wp.com/go/Topqualityhsi/).
*Green Alternative: Choose a Real Estate Agent Designated by the National Association of Realtors as a Green Real Estate Agent
(http://www.greenresourcecouncil.org/green_business_network.cfm).
-Choose a Design Consultant.
*Green Alternative: Choose a design consultant with a knowledge of green design practices. Urban Aesthetics provides green design, LEED AP design and green consulting services. (http://urbanaestheticsdesigns.com/).
-Choose to conserve energy when renovating. This can save money as well as energy.
*Green Alternative: Choose an energy consultant to help you plan alternatives to save energy usage and money. (http://www.1wp.com/go/Topqualityhsi/).
Proper planning in building projects lessens headaches and saves time and money. Gaining a knowledge of Zoning Issues and laws as well as permit requirements for the municipality is an important step that should be taken PRIOR to purchasing a building.
Contact Urban Aesthetics, LLC to help you plan and build your future project.
Phone: 215-776-8795.
Email: info@urbanaestheticsdesigns.com.
Website: www.urbanaestheticsdesigns.com.
Phone: 215-776-8795.
Email: info@urbanaestheticsdesigns.com.
Website: www.urbanaestheticsdesigns.com.
