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 Pictures
through 5/30/2007
Room To Bloom was one of the most important initiatives First Unitarian
Church of Des Moines has undertaken in its history. We started in 2000. Read
on to find out about it….
Keeping the Building Updates "updated" was an ongoing challenge. We
know that it was frustrating at times, but still so very exciting.
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What was Room To Bloom? |
505 in
'05 |
It
started with an unusually aggressive a goal put forth by the
Long Range Planning Committee in 2000 - "505 in '05". In 2000 we had
about 200 members and 100 children and friends; we had been stagnant
at these numbers for decades. We wanted to grow because we have
a wonderful church to share with others who we think are searching
for us.
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Vision
Quest |
In
2002, many more people were finding us, but our house was shabby
and we did not have the facilities to serve significant growth. It
had been more than 50 years since our church had a capital campaign. We
were woefully behind in the maintenance of our facility. We
needed to update and enlarge our facilities so visitors would
not be turned off and so they would perceive there was space
here for them. We started with an effort called Vision Quest. Vision
Quest involved the entire congregation in affirming the church's
mission, programming and facilities. The development of new
programming took off without the facilities. The result: we
started to experience wonderful growing pains.
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Room
To
Bloom |
Next,
an architect was hired to develop plans to renew our lovely building
and support our expanded programming. From there a price range
was determined. In 2005 we kicked off the capital campaign, "Room
to Bloom," and raised $1.3 million. With a commitment from the
congregation for a new mortgage in the amount of $300,000, we
had $1.6 million to spend on renovations and an addition.
By then, "Room
to Bloom" meant a growing congregation of 380 members
and 150 children and friends, a renewed building where individuals
can experience personal growth, be in loving community, learn,
celebrate and serve together.
We
reached our goal of 505 in '05! Instead of an end goal, it has
become a beginning of growth and renewal! |
Guiding Criteria of the Room To Bloom
Building Committee 1. Be good stewards of
our current building. Take care of the necessary maintenance, mechanical,
and exterior upgrades necessary on our 50-year old home. Address key
accessibility issues to become more welcoming to those with physical
disabilities. Preserve the architectural heritage and "feel" of
our building.
2. Redesign and upgrade
interior spaces in our building to providing us "room to bloom" by
making more functional and welcoming the layout, lighting, finish, circulation,
heating and cooling in gathering spaces, meeting areas, classrooms,
hallways, restrooms. The primary goal is to better design and maximize
use of space in the existing structure because it is less costly and
because it is "green."
3. Build an addition within
the available resource limits that allows us to best utilize the combination
of new and renovated space to achieve our goals in meeting the needs
driven by growth in members and programs. Make certain that new space
harmonizes both functionally and visually with existing structure. Plan
any additional space in a way that does not preclude future additional
growth and expansion.
4. Where feasible, consider
environmentally friendly "green" techniques in renovation
and construction, particularly focusing on energy efficiency improvements,
and reducing storm water run-off.
Members of the Room To
Bloom Building Committee welcome your ideas and concerns regarding the
building plans and progress.
Green
Priorities Integrated Into The Building Plans
Storm Water & Site Management
- Erosion and sediment control
during construction to preserve the health of the stream.
- Improved storm water management,
including several bio swales planted with native species to allow
storm water to filter through ground before running into creek.
- Removed invasive species (honeysuckle
and garlic mustard) from church grounds and replace with native plants.
- Addition of permeable paving
along west edge of east parking lot remains a possibility
Energy Efficiency
Materials and
Resources
- The contractor and architect
committed, when practical, to recycle construction and demolition
materials.
Indoor Environmental Quality
- Day lighting and views: Existing
skylights were restored in the upper level. A large window
was added at the bottom of the East stairs. Removal of walls
in the upper and lower levels allow light from existing
windows to spread over larger gathering spaces.
- Air to air heat exchanger improved ventilation of the rooms below the auditorium.
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