First Unitarian Church's Legacy

Below are the proposed plans  for  expansion of  our church.

Design Concepts

Design Concept: Overall Site

• Maintain historic chapel and Eliot Hall. Upgrade for increased efficiency, seismic stability, and required maintenance.
• Maintain 1990’s R.E. building along east property line. Upgrade for increased efficiency and required maintenance.
• Maintain memorial garden in southeast corner of site.
• New 350-375 seat worship space to north of existing chapel. Simple, yet rich architectural style to compliment existing historic architecture of chapel. Views to daylight and to internal garden.
• New internal garden between R.E. building and new chapel (exterior weddings, receptions, coffee hour, etc.)
• New plaza garden on southwest corner of site. Provide access thru west wall of Eliot Hall.
• Reduce water use for landscaping by revising plants to natives and drought-tolerant (and efficient irrigation).
• Design to significantly reduce energy use (new building 60% less than code-required, and existing facilities 50% less). Design future infrastructure to install renewable energy (solar and wind).

Design Concept: First Floor

• Historic chapel preserved and restored for use as R.E. Chapel, Choir practice, small events (weddings, memorials, etc.).
• Eliot Hall doubled in size (east into existing R.E. Chapel  space). Ballroom-type partitions will separate spaces to allow for concurrent events when necessary.
• New Worship space for 350-375 people added to north. Sloped-seating provided to increase visibility and functionality of space for many types of events.
• Entry Hall between existing chapel and new worship space to north.  Open-atrium feel similar to Libby-Gardner Hall or City Library. Hall includes service functions like restrooms, some storage and elevator/stair circulation to second floor.
• North end of R.E. preserved for daycare use.
• New and enlarged kitchen (double existing size). Central location will provide access to caterers, Social Hall, exterior courtyard/garden, and elevator to second floor.
• Main church office and reception, with direct stair access to other church administrative offices on second floor.
• Large circulation spaces to facilitate movement before, during and after Sunday services, and to allow multiple events to take place without interruption.

Design Concept: Second Floor

• 100-seat Balcony for new worship hall.
• Minister’s offices: easily accessed off elevator and close to administration.
• Administration area centralized for efficiency and access. Area includes meeting room and direct access from elevator and existing stairs.
• R.E. building: Infill open-floor area (above existing RE chapel) to create additional classrooms.
• New connection between second-floor spaces with lounge for Teen RE, and secluded roof garden for small events and activities.

Main Level Plan (click here for PDF)

Conceptual Interior Rendering of proposed chapel space

Conceptual Interior Rendering of corridor

Proposed Main Floor Plan