The Journey of a Thousand Miles

The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once wrote, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” And for many churches, the beginning of a major building project can often seem like beginning a journey of a thousand miles. Architectural design, technical complexity, site constraints, complex approvals, funding, procurement. So, where do you start, when faced with a challenge of this scale?

The answer, as Lao Tzu identified, is to take the first step.

There is of course a well-established process for the design and procurement of building projects, defined most famously by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in the Plan of Work, beginning with the envisioning and briefing process, feasibility analysis and research, option appraisal, consultation and concept design development; through statutory and other approvals, technical design and production information; and finally project procurement, with contractor selection, tendering, construction and handover. These are all significant steps in the design and construction process to deliver a first class building to meet the needs identified in the initial vision of a church project.

And each of these stages is itself made up of a number of smaller steps, with an array of options at each stage. Therefore you might say that building design is in fact a journey of a thousand small steps.

One of the many ways in which this idea can be applied is in the phasing of construction projects, where there is limited funding, or funding is being raised over a period time.

For example, we worked with Dunchurch Baptist Church in Rugby, where the vision for a new larger church building to replace an old pre-fabricated structure was achieved in two separate phases due to funding constraints. Phase 1 comprised the construction of the structural frame and weatherproof exterior of the new building, allowing subsequent internal fit-out work to proceed under separate contract as Phase 2, to suit the project funding profile. The building is now completed and serving the church family and local community.

Phasing is a simple and yet powerful way of achieving a significant building project, in a series of manageable steps, particularly where a fundraising campaign is needed.

If you have the vision for a significant church building project, do let us know, and we can help you take that first step to realise your vision.