September 21st, 2010
On Tues, Sept 21, 2010 the Building Committee will be presenting to the District Building Committee our proposals of the master plan with anticipation of their approval. This is a procedure that is required in the church discipline.
Throughout the month of August, September and October our architect Ralph Alster has been moving forward with the development of our master plan into blue prints for approval of our future church improvements. There are slow and delicate steps that have to be taken to accomplish this. The following are some of the steps that have been in progress.
1. The purchase of blueprints from the Pa Department of Labor and Industry for the educational wing of our church that was built in 1955 has been completed. These have proved very helpful in moving ahead with the understanding of the structural, electrical, heating, and plumbing in this area.
2. A very in-depth study and research has been going on with Ralph’s direction in the developing the structural understanding of the original part of the church that was built in 1887 and the old parsonage that was built in 1905. He is being assisted by structural engineer consultant Chuck Meier of Geo Tech Engineering, Inc of Dubois, Pa. Dale Fiscus is assisting in making this happen at our church. Dale is preparing and making opening throughout the church so the engineers can properly see and diagnose what is going on behind plaster, above ceilings, inside fabricated columns, in crawl spaces, attic access and in any way we can properly evaluate the present condition of our church and determine what changes can be adapted to the present structure.
3. Ralph has also invited a mechanical engineer to assist him in evaluating the condition and operation of our boiler system which supplies the heat for our church. The present heating system was put in 1985. This gentleman also is evaluating the electrical plant which was put in 1955 in the educational wing. The electrical room, as it is referred to, supplies all the other sub panels throughout the church. The original church built in 1887 had the electrical wires install in the first quarter of the 1900’s and still have the original knob and tube installation. I apologize but I do not have this gentleman’s name.
May 17th, 2010
Since our last update the Building Committee created a sub committee which had several direct conference calls with our architects to develop a specific strategy on how we would like to move forward with our Master Plan development. Pros and cons were discussed and reviewed, options were considered and a recommendation was returned to the full Building Committee.
The recommendation was to develop the entire Master Plan as part of the Design Development portion of the architectural service at this time. This would ensure a complete and detailed scope of work for all the Phases of the work. By looking at the entire plan some Master Plan adjustments could be made to allow for future circulation patterns, utilities and the share facilities such as the restrooms to be adjusted accommodating the need to phase the work because of available funds.
This recommendation was approved by the Building Committee and is ready to be taken to the Church Council on Mon. May 24, 2010. Upon approval the architects will be given direction to process a contract of which would be presented to the Trustees for their signatures. The architects would jump into full action to proceed with all necessary steps to be taken to develop proposals for our consideration. The Building Committee would be in conversation with our architect team throughout the process and would be following their direction and assignments that we will be given.
Our specific objectives that are being given to the architects in the plan development for the first phase are as follows:
1. Improve accessibility entering our church. This would carry over to the inside by allowing complete access to all levels by adding an elevator system.
2. Impression and function are to stay on the forefront in our design and decision process.
3. Infrastructure plan development is very important in this early process. This includes electrical needs, plumbing changes, heating and air conditioning needs, sprinkler system development, etc.
4. Conservation of energy emphasis is to be looked at in all areas as we develop the planning. This obviously includes insulation throughout, window upgrades, lighting evaluation, and efficiency of heating systems, etc.
5. Daycare is to be developed in the long range plan.
6. First impression both outside and inside is important. Exterior finishes are to aesthetically balance with original 1887 structure.
7. Handicap restrooms on all three levels need updated on first phase if at all possible and kept in central location as planned on original plan.
March 11th, 2010
After interviewing 3 consulting firms, the Building Committee has selected consultants Ralph Alster and Chris Michael. The following are summary qualifications of each gentleman.
Ralph Alster: Register Architect,State of Pa. and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Certificate Holder
Work history–Peace Corps Volunteer in Chile; Assistant Professor of Architecture at Kent State; Architectural work in Urban Design; Independent Practice since 1975
Ralph has been active and volunteered in many community projects and associations in the Pittsburgh area. Among these are Childrens Hospital and Historic Review Commission.
Ralphs real specialty and passion is in church design. He has additionally designed libraries, senior citizen center and golf clubs. Some years back he entered a design contest for a College Presidents House and won it. Guess where? Clarion, PA for Clarion University. President Grunwald and his wife presently are its residents.
He brings a wealth of knowledge in new construction, additions and renovation projects.
Ralph will be joining us for a service in the near future to experience both the unique architectural character of our church building and the religious lifestyle of the church and its members.
His projects are designed with the following criteria:
1. Provide properly functioning buildings that respond to program and client needs
2. Provide cost control to meet the budget by reviewing and developing construction estimates during the preliminary, design development, and construction documents and adjust design accordingly to maintain budget
3. Establish and maintain time schedules for design and construction
4. Provide appropriate aesthetically pleasing designs both interior and exterior
5. Design and build all structures to provide safe, accessible and code conforming facilities
Ralph is 67 years old and will act as the Senior Project Developer.
Chris Micheal was hired by Ralph Alster while he was studying to become an architect.
Chris Michaels:
Education: Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture from Kent State University Kent, Ohio
Concentration in Building Technology, Building Structures, Historic Preservation/Restoration
Experience: Worked for Ralph Alster during his years in college and after graduating. (1999-2006) As a Graduate Architect under Ralph he concentrated in the following areas.
1. Conducted a code analysis on each project before beginning the design process
2. Completed site evaluations to examine building code compliance and structural integrity
3. Ensured that all buildings were in compliance with energy codes
4. Designed and created construction documents
5. Attended weekly job meetings to ensure construction is being carried out according to construction documents
Additional firms he worked for with similar functions:
General Industries in Charleroi, Pa.
Auroville Designs in Monroeville, Pa
Church Restoration Group in Cranberry Township, Pa.
Gerard-Nagar Associates in Pittsburgh, Pa
Chambers, Murhpy &Burge Restoration Architects in Akron, Ohio
He additionally did estimating for some of these firms.
While in school he performed an internship with City of Cuyahoge Falls, Ohio where he valuated and documented the city’s existing buildings and infrastructure, spearheaded master planning studies, attended city council and departmental meetings, developed a master plan using information obtained from studies, proposed future development areas with the city.
Chris has many computer skills and software knowledge. Ralph will be relying heavily on him for these skills. Additionally he teaches these computer classes at two colleges.
College professor: Chatham University in Pittsburgh Pa.–Courses instructing in Environmental Systems, Advanced Computer Graphic, Lighting Design, Building Construction
La Roche College in Pittsburgh, Pa.–7 Courses including CAD, Building Technology, Graphics and others
Memberships and Certifications include Construction Specifications Institute, Roof Consultants Institute, Associate Member of the American Institute of Architects, Certified building Official
Chris’s experience well outnumbers his years of age. We are very fortunate to have an architectural team to guide us in to the future of our Build on the Rock Master Plan– Phase I. Chris’s development of our master plan will aid this team in the production of the architectural drawings and documents.
February 8th, 2010
We have reached almost $700,000 for the Living Stones campaign with approximately 160 pledge cards received to date!!!!!
The campaign is continuing and new gifts, pledge cards and contributions are most welcome.
December 7th, 2009
The building team has sent out invitations to three engineer/architects for interviewing for blueprint production and bidding of blueprints.
The interviews will take place in Dec 09 and Jan 10.
We will more than likely select one of these firms, take our selection to Church Council for approval and proceed ahead with our master plan phasing, hopefully all in 2010.
November 18th, 2009
REMINDER: Please submit your Pledge Cards if you were unable to attend the All-Church Celebration event.
You may drop off your pledge cards to the church office or simply place them in the offering plate this Sunday.
Thank you!
November 10th, 2009
Our Celebration Sunday All-Church Event will be this Sunday. We will have a single combined Worship Service at 10:00 AM. Everyone is encouraged to attend as we will be making our presentation of pledge cards at this service. A free luncheon to culminate our celebration will be held immediately after the worship service (folks will be finished well in time for the Steeler Game).
