July 2005

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If you would like additional information about FSF Architects please contact us by email or call, 770-729-8433 or 1-800-463-3732.

If you have not yet visited our website, please do so.  It contains information on the firm as well as selected projects.  Also on the site is a collection of church design articles meant to assist the church committee in the planning and design process.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. "

Proverbs 3:5-6

Previous issues of our  newsletters are available on the web site

HAMILTON MILL CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Buford, Georgia

This Spring, Hamilton Mill Christian Church dedicated their new 14,000 square foot multi-purpose facility. Designed to maximize function while keeping costs at a minimum, the central space is a gymnasium that also functions as a 450 seat worship facility. It also serves as a 400 seat fellowship hall, with an adjacent kitchen.

The gym / worship space is ringed by education and office spaces.  A pulpit is separated from the gym by a curtain, protecting it from sports during the week.

The building was constructed for a $1.5 million dollar budget by Morgan Contracting of Lilburn.  Richard Morgan was the project manager and Michael Hussey was the was the superintendent.

Visit other church projects on our website.

To the Building Committee the task of building a new church building may seem overwhelming at first. There is much to do and much to plan. However, with experienced professional help, the task can be accomplished. When getting ready to build a new church building, one of the first questions you must ask is: How much is all this going to cost? How do we go about determining the overall cost? One thing that is important to remember is that the construction cost of the building itself is only part of the overall expense. Building the building is the largest single expense, but there are other costs that are essential and should not be underestimated. In this article we will briefly summarize the major items that make up a Total Project Budget.

Land Costs - the cost of purchasing land, including any expenses or financing costs, must be included in your Project Budget.

Construction Cost - At this stage the estimate is normally based on average costs per square foot of similar projects. Construction cost is defined in the construction industry as the contract cost as paid to a contractor or contractors, for all portions of the building and site.

Design Costs - design fees will depend to a great extent on the size and complexity of the project and on the firm selected. However, do not select an architect based on low fee.

Site Survey, Subsurface Investigation - These are costs that are in the same category as design expenses except they are usually separate from the design fees and are directly paid by the Owner

Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment - A new building would be unusable without furnishings. Churches need chairs, tables, pews, kitchen equipment, sound equipment and many other items in order for the facility to function properly.

Work by Owner or Separate Contractors - often churches want to do part of the work themselves. This work can be budgeted as separate line items.

Contingency Fund - the contingency fund is there to pay for essential changes to the work.

The total cost of the project can be 15% to 30% more than the construction cost alone. Preparation of a total project budget is very important and will require professional assistance. The budget should be regularly updated throughout the planning and design process.   

Read the entire article on the FSFarchitects.com website.

Fitzgerald, Georgia

FSF has been selected by the City of Lawrenceville to serve as the Architect and Interior Designer for the renovation of an old Church building in downtown Lawrenceville. The former church, just off the square, will become the new home for the Aurora Theater when it relocates from Duluth in 2006.

First Baptist Church of Locust Grove has chosen FSF to be the architect for their new relocation project.  CCL of Roswell is the project manager.

Quantum National Bank has begun design on their new branch building.  FSF will complete the design in the next two months and the project begin construction this Fall.  

Foreman · Seeley · Fountain    Architects
5855 Jimmy Carter Boulevard      Suite 218      Norcross, Georgia  30071
(770) 729-8433      fax (770) 729-8466     1-800-463-3732