JAHarchitects, LLC - Ecclesiastical Division

Ecclesiastical

Footage Allowances

Programming should include this information for your architect.

Minimum, Smaller Churches (100-250). A very compact multiuse building where most spaces are used for several needs can be designed in the range of 30 to 40 square feet per person. This minimum space allowance will provide the necessary spaces but some needs will be omitted. Less area will require greater use of each space, such as using the worship space for education and other assembly needs. When it is necessary to start small, provide the essentials, then master-plan for the other needs and for growth.

Minimum, Larger Churches (250-500). The answer to minimum budget-space restrictions is the same as in smaller churches-design multiuse, flexible buildings, By utilizing spaces for several purposes and using minimum sizes per person, a range of 40-50 square feet per person can be used for a complete church plant. Such functions as gymnasiums would not be feasible within this footage. Again, master-plan for added needs.

Recommended Footage Allowances

Functional Area	Minimum	Ideal
Sanctuary/Ministering Center and related rooms	10 sf.	15 sf.
Foyer, Toilets, Ushers’ Room, Storage	3 sf.	5 sf.
Choir Practice (per person in choir)	7 sf.	10 sf.
Choir/Robe/Store/Music/Toilets/Office	6 sf.	12 sf.
Education (see Education Section):
Adult (if in sanctuary)
(other areas)	10 sf.	15 sf.
Children: infant to school age	30 sf.	35 sf.
school age	25 sf.	30 sf.
teens	20 sf.	25 sf.
Corridors/storage/toilets for education space	6 sf.	12 sf .

Administration	Total Sq. Ft.
Office	150-300 each
Secretarial/workroom	100-250 each
Educational Office	80-150
Library and Board Room	150-300
Storage, corridors, toilets are additional-allow approximately 10 to 15 percent of the above total.

Multipurpose, Fellowship, and Recreation	Minimum	Ideal
Dining	12 sf.	15 sf. ea.
Seating only	7 sf.	12 sf.
Gym-Recreation:
Minimum half-size gym	2,000-3,000
Full-size playing court	6,000-8,000
With spectators or cross courts	10,000-12,000
Dressing rooms, storage, and toilets	Add 10-20 percent
Kitchen (special study is required to determine the type of kitchen needed and its size):
Small serving type	300 sf.
Large working type	2,000 sf.

Approximately 10 percent of the total must be added for walls, mechanical room, janitor, and pipe space. The size of the facility will cause the figures to change. As the church gets larger, the allowances tend to increase in many areas.

Average Size Calculation

It may be difficult to apply the individual footages for a preliminary area calculation. To arrive at an adequate average size, the following simplified formula may be used:

1. Sanctuary, ministering center, foyer, ushers' room, toilets, choir room, mechanical, and storage

(including walls) 16 sf. per person.

2. Education, nursery, corridors, storage, mechanical, janitor, administration, and related space (including

walls) 50-60 sf. each.*

3. Multipurpose, fellowship, recreation, kitchen 3,000 sf. full court 7,000 sf.

4. Add any special areas.

Seek the advice of an architect and obtain costs, adjusted for inflation, on similar buildings per square feet of building area. Calculate total amount, using a chart on building cost. Using this cost, compare it to ability to repay and gross giving. If the comparison is close, it should be possible to proceed in seeking finances.

*NOTE: Subtract persons utilizing the sanctuary or multipurpose space when calculating the educational area.*

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