New Education, Student, & Missions Buildings
New Children’s Education/Day School, Student Center, and Missions Center Buildings, Site Improvements, and Miscellaneous Renovations
Riverchase United Methodist Church | Hoover, Alabama
Aho Architects was selected by Riverchase United Methodist Church to design a new Christian Education building for elementary age children, a new Student Center for the Jr. High and Sr. High Youth programs, and a new Missions Building for the church's Hispanic ministry, scouting program, and other community missions functions. The children's building, also used by the kindergarten classes of the church’s Day School, also includes a new main reception area for the church office. The buildings were completed in 2012 and also included parking, multipurpose recreation fields, and other site improvements.
Aho Architects has completed 16 projects for RUMC, some as stand-alone and some as multi-building campaigns.
Scope:
The Children's Education Building includes:
Main reception for the church office
12 large classrooms, 6 of which can be combined for larger groups such as the W.O.W. (Worship Our Way) Children's Worship service
Upstairs worship space for 900 (principally used by RUMC's Hispanic Congregation)
Large Rest Rooms
Storage, and "Shell Space" for future programs
The Student Center includes:
Worship Space for 416 youth, with stage, A/V, etc.
Large Youth classroom for 60
Activity / "Hangout" fellowship space for 90
Restrooms, A/V, and support space
The Missions Building includes:
Reception and offices for RUMC's Hispanic Congregation
Computer lab (ESL, tutoring, etc.)
Classroom
Clothing distribution "boutique"
Music practice space
Scout storage
Restrooms, storage, and functions to support outdoor play areas
Interesting Fact: Once the buildings’ foundations were laid, the children and youth had their own “groundbreaking” ceremony and prayer service during which they were encouraged to write prayers directly on the concrete substructure of their respective buildings or on note cards which were placed below the floor slabs.
