Background: St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in downtown Durham was built in 1907 and designed by noted Boston architect Ralph Adams Cram. A Parish House housing offices, social areas, and educational space was subsequently added in the early 1950's. After an extensive planning process, we completed a major new addition in 1999 adding a new parish hall featuring a large common area with improvements to its garden. As part of its Master Plan, we committed to renovating the existing Parish House in a second phase. This statement reflects the programmatic needs for St. Philip’s to guide the development of a renovation plan.

Primary Program Requirements: The existing Parish House serves a variety of programmatic needs. The principal program uses relate to (1) Christian formation for all church members ranging from preschoolers to adults; (2) Office/Administrative functions; and (3) Music. In addition, we have identified the need to develop a primary entrance to the Parish House. Also, as a given, we need to replace existing HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems and make other infrastructure improvements. Each element is described below.

INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS:

The old Parish Hall largely still has its original HVAC, ductwork, electrical, and plumbing equipment which is outdated and needs to be completely replaced. We anticipate that this will require replacement of all such systems. In addition, our current facility does not have an elevator which precludes some parishioners from taking part in various programs. Addition of an elevator is required. It is also anticipated that improvements will be needed based upon new code requirements (such as adding or changing existing stairwells which are not enclosed for fire protection). It would be useful to have improved restrooms with full shower facilities (groups sometimes reside in the church for housing programs, educational programs, etc.)

NEW ENTRANCE & COMMUNITY SPACE:

Currently, St. Philip’s has a beautiful entrance to its sanctuary. It does not, however, have a clear entrance to its Parish House. There are several different openings to the Parish House. Given the amount of activity that occurs during the week, we need one main entrance which is readily identifiable to all those coming to the church (many of whom are not familiar with the building). The entrance needs to provide a secure way to monitor and control access. It needs to provide an entrance that logically relates to the administrative/office program of the church. Currently, offices are scattered within the building and someone entering the Parish House is often uncertain where to go.

Without determining the question conclusively, the Planning Committee is of the view that the new main entrance needs to be located on the Main Street side of the church. It is important that it relates synergistically to the sanctuary which must retain its architectural prominence. It also needs to be logically related to our existing or future parking areas as part of a cohesive landscape plan.

We also currently have a parlor, which functions as a "living room" for parishioners. It is very important that the new design incorporate a similar kind of space so that there will be a gathering space that is more intimate than our large Parish Hall.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION PROGRAM:

The Christian formation program of St. Philip’s is generally designed to serve three different age groups: (1) children; (2) teenagers; and (3) adults. Each group has different space needs. For children, St. Philip’s uses a curriculum that is Montessori-based. It utilizes "atria" or open-spaced areas. The space needs to include supply areas (cabinets for materials, etc.) plus work tables for the children and lots of child height shelving. The curriculum divides children into three age groupings: ages 3 to 6; 6 to 9; and 9 to 12. Accordingly, we would need a minimum of three "atria" spaces that could accommodate up to 40 children each. Currently, children’s formation is located on the second floor and in the basement, and the general location in the building is suitable. These "atria" could be larger areas that could be divided into smaller areas as needed with more built-in storage cabinets.

Teen formation is also currently divided into three different age groups based on age. Currently, teen formation is located entirely in our basement and it is generally thought that the groups enjoy the sense of separation from other groups. Each of the three groups will require a separate room to handle groups of no more than 20. The space should be flexible in terms of seating arrangements with low-end wall finishes (to permit each group to paint or decorate the walls). There should be white boards or other areas for writing (with some tackable surfaces). The rooms all should be wired for internet access and have AV equipment to permit showing of DVDs, VHS tapes, etc. The AV area should be lockable for protection when not in use. The three rooms should be of the same basic design in terms of shape, size, finishes, etc. All rooms also need storage space.

Adult formation requires use of multiple spaces with flexibility for size of groups. A variety of adult educational offerings are presented on Sunday morning and increasingly on Wednesday evenings. Currently, groups have to meet in the new parish hall which does not work well. It is awkward for a group of 15-20 adults to meet in a large area designed primarily for worship and fellowship. Also, the acoustics are poor for group conversation. We would need a minimum of three adult formation "seminar rooms." Virtually all adult formation programs are participatory (for example, Bible study groups where all those attending will share their views). Thus, these areas should allow participants to see and talk with other and not be organized in a lecture-style seating arrangement. Differing size rooms for groups of between 20 and 40 people should be considered. Like the teen rooms, appropriate AV equipment for showing DVDs, tapes, etc. should be included. All rooms also need storage space.

In addition, there is a need for more space for a day care/nursery area. Ideally, this would be easily accessible to those going to/from church. Specific needs are two large rooms (one for infants and the other for toddlers) with a bathroom between them. There needs to be adequate lighting, HVAC, and storage areas for supplies as well as a built-in changing table in the infant room with a sink next to it.

All these spaces will need appropriate sound-proofing and we hope to cluster various spaces so that areas that would be naturally noisier could be separated from areas that need more quiet.

OFFICE/ADMINISTRATIVE:

The Parish House must house offices for clergy and provide appropriate space for a variety of administrative functions. This includes offices for the Rector, the Associate Rector, and the Deacon/Children’s Minister. Work areas need to be provided for the Parish Administrator, Communications Coordinator, and Sexton (Building Manager). A separate work room for copying, organizing materials, etc. is required. Current as well as future needs suggest having two (or more) additional offices that could used for various purposes such as supporting lay ministries, space for priest associates, or possible new hires. A small office (lockable) for financial records and other parish records would be desirable. It would also be useful to include a Vesting Room for clergy preparing for services.

The Rector’s Office is an important place within the Church. Currently, St. Philip’s has a library that serves a variety of functions including: meeting room for committees, adult education room, administrative overflow functions, storage, and even occasionally library uses! We believe that including a more refined library area (perhaps adjacent to the Rector’s Office) could serve as an appropriate place for those waiting to meet with the Rector. The library should be dignified and comfortable.

The most significant programming need is for all office/administrative space to be logically organized into a single "suite" area that permits improved functionality. The office suite needs to be integrated into a clearly demarcated entrance to the Parish House. It is essential that there be an inviting reception area. All office spaces should be networked with computers, internet access, etc. The suite should also include a place for people who are dropping off materials (food, books, other supplies) for various programs. Currently, such materials are left in an office causing clutter and occasional confusion. If possible, it would be useful for the suite to include a small conference room (seating up to 10) for staff meetings, planning sessions. (Such a room could be used for adult education groups or other small group meetings). St. Philip’s also has need for meeting space for larger groups such as its Vestry (governing board), various committees, as well as a number of community organizations that meet at St. Philip’s. Currently, the library functions (inadequately) as a meeting space. This conference room need not necessarily be located in the office suite.

MUSIC:

The current space for the choir in the Church sanctuary is inadequate and limits our ability to use supplemental instrumentation (bells, piano, etc.). The choir currently rehearses in a large room located in the basement of the Parish House. Noise is currently a problem largely as a result of the inadequate HVAC system. In early planning, a possible concept was considered for expanding the current church by adding a large room to the east side (facing our parking lot) which would serve as a choir rehearsal room (and possibly some ancillary functions such as preparatory area for services, etc.). We continue to believe that if financially feasible, such an addition would provide an excellent area for the music program. Alternatively, however, if not feasible, music office and programming space should be located in the renovated Parish House.

Additional Considerations

• Besides the renovation of the Parish House, we recognize the need for integrating our entire property on its perimeter. This is especially necessary if we indeed have a new main entrance to the Parish House. It is also necessary for aesthetic and security reasons. Parishioners are not of one mind about how this perimeter integration should be accomplished. Some are quite convinced that a perimeter definition, which would include fencing and/or hedging, is the way to go. Others are equally convinced that such perimeter definition would make the property appear uninviting to our neighbors. We are open to see what professional input can do satisfy our needs for aesthetics, security, and openness.

• The County is currently planning a major building program for human services. While their plans are not complete, the leading design so far is to build two three-story buildings across from the Church (one directly across on the 400 block of East Main St and one on the 500 block). Their design will consolidate all human services (social, health, and mental health) in one two-block campus. This will have a major impact on traffic (both pedestrian and vehicular) around the church and will affect our parking lot on the corner of Main St. & Dillard St. since it will be directly across from the campus. We must take into account the County’s plans as we design Phase Two.

• Our parish membership is rightly concerned with the stewardship of God’s creation. This is a theological concern that is central to our faith identity. It is our desire to incorporate into this design the use of renewable and sustainable energy, construction methods and results that are ecologically friendly, and a design which reflects our theological commitments. Thus, it is our hope that we can accomplish our needs (summarized on the next page) in a way that will be congruent with our faith and its commitments.

• During the renovation process, we understand that our office and formation ministries will be disrupted. We expect that the professionals we hire will help us provide space to continue our various ministries during the construction phase.

Summary of Space Needs

Infrastructure:

• New HVAC Systems
• New Electrical and Plumbing Systems
• New Elevator
• Compliance with Code Requirements for Fire Safety, etc.
• Bathrooms/Showers

Exterior:

• New Entrance for Parish House
• New Roof
• Signage at two corners (Main & Queen and Main & Dillard)
• Perimeter landscaping that provides security while maintaining a feeling of openness, particularly in the front yard

Formation:

• Three "atria" spaces for Youth Formation
• Three classrooms for Teen Formation
• Three classrooms for Adult Formation
• Two nursery rooms: one for infants and one for toddlers

Office/Administrative/Community space

• Parlor
• Four Offices for Clergy
• Office for Parish Administrator
• Office for Communications Coordinator
• Copy/Work Room
• Financial Office
• Library
• Small Conference Room
• Large Conference Room
• Sexton Office

Music:

• New or renovated rehearsal space
• Youth Choir space