Story

Colorado Ministry Headquarters - Design Plus was hired as a design consultant for the design of a new 168,000 SF building to house the Focus on the Family Ministry Headquarters, as they relocated from California to Colorado. Working with a local architect, we met with the client on site to conduct programming interviews. Along with the building design, we were instrumental in the site selection and site design. The project involved development of a comprehensive program document addressing all aspects of the organization’s radio broadcasting, its correspondence services, and publication resources. The program was, in turn, used to plan the functional configuration of the new building, and to establish interior space use. Interior services included development and specification of workplace standards based on modular workstation applications, vendor evaluation and selection support, planning department furniture layouts, and materials/finishes consulting. The headquarters building includes spaces for offices, studios, meeting spaces, cafeteria, and a large gathering space for the entire ministry, seating 1,200 to 1,500 people. Our work was completed in June 1993. Visitor’s Center - Following our involvement with the headquarters, Design Plus was hired to provide more comprehensive services for their new 194,000 SF Visitor’s Center. We provided all architectural programming, design, and design development for this facility, which consists of several different areas and offers visitors a variety of activities including a theater, museum, displays, and bookstore. Additionally, the lower level was designed to contain a conference center, children’s activity area, and food service operation. The Architect of Record, Jim Nakai & Associates, was hired to complete construction documents and see the project through bidding and construction. Design Plus continued to oversee that the design intent was followed through. The project was completed in August 1994 with a total construction cost of $3,500,000. The project won the Colorado South AIA Merit Award for Design Excellence in 1994.