Resources
The Building Committee
There is no best or ideal building committee. With careful recruiting, however, most churches are able to develop close working groups that make substantial contributions to the quality of the building program. For all the work, the Building Committee job can be a once-in-a-lifetime rewarding opportunity.
Each Community should determine the best organizational structure to be most effective. While each Committee is unique, the issues they must deal with are similar from project to project. It is our observation that certain arrangements can help foster good communication and decision-making........................Full article
The Design Retreat Workshop
A place of worship is one of the most significant monuments in a community. It can be a daunting task to design a beautiful, functional, and meaningful building tailored specifically to your congregation. The completed construction must address the diverse needs and desires of your congregation while anticipating future growth
and changing needs. Every option must be weighed against physical,environmental, and financial realities.
Each committee member, church leader, and clergy member comes to the design process with his or her own hopes and expectations. By incorporating the Design Retreat Workshop into the comprehensive Master Plan process, your community can synthesize its diverse interests and goals into a unified vision..............Full article
Green Building and Sustainable Design
Green building and sustainable design comes with two major benefits: a lower cost of operations and a reduced environmental impact. The former comes via energy and water efficiency, the latter by improved construction processes and use of building elements. Heimsath Architects is proud of its many resources and activities in bringing sustainable design into mainstream building programs.
In recent years, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ratings have become the measurement of resource efficiency........................Full article
PROFESSIONAL LINKS
Austin AIA
Chapter Mission - We improve our community by advancing the value of architecture.
Texas Society of Architects
The Texas Society of Architects/AIA is the voice for Texas architecture, supporting the creation of safe, beautiful, sustainable environments.
RELIGIOUS LINKS
AAIM, Austin Area Inter-Religious Ministries
Partners for Sacred Places
Partners for Sacred Places is the only national, non-sectarian, non-profit organization dedicated to the sound stewardship and active community use of America's older religious properties. Partners provides assistance to the people who care for sacred places while promoting a new understanding of how these places sustain communities.
Envision Church
Envision Church is an interactive online resource concerned with liturgy, spirituality, and sacred art and architecture. It is a forum for learning, sharing and networking.
