WHAT DOES A CHURCH LOOK LIKE IN THE 21st CENTURY?
Future congregation’s may not have church buildings as we know them and this is something being considered by a Perth Presbytery Mission Initiative (PMI). The question’ What does a Church look like in the 21st Century?’ was one that they asked Aitken Turnbull to assist with.
Bertha park is a brand new development on the edge of Perth which will consist of around 3000 homes, a new high school and local amenities once completed, and Perth Presbytery formed a Mission Initiative to create a new type of church within the development.
By transforming a retail space in the heart of the development the PMI believe that there is an opportunity to do something new and fresh, offering the church an accessible presence in the community while allowing people the opportunity to come together to build relations and connections.
Aitken Turnbull were appointed to carry out the change of use and fit out of a former retail unit. The new community facility will establish a permanent presence in the Bertha Park area for the client, General Trustees, Perth Presbytery and The Church of Scotland, providing a meeting and workspace for the local community minister. As a community hub, the development will also play host to a range of community benefits and activities; for example mornings, a community drop in, worship and support groups.
The aim was to provide a flexible open plan space, that allowed the user to easily adapt and facilitate different activities as required. The flexible central space is bookended by permanent office, storage and accessible wc spaces, allowing the facility to fulfil its core function as a workspace and drop in centre for community members. Retractable doors conceal a kitchenette to the rear of the community hub, alongside a recessed media zone opening up the largest part of the floor space for various events and gatherings.
Enhanced acoustic treatments to ceilings and walls, including interior finishes were integrated seamlessly, attributing positively to the overall feel of the spaces, with large circular ceiling baffles creating a sense of playfulness.
Saturday, 16th September saw the opening of the new facility and we hope that ‘The Hub’ will foster many new communities and inspire future initiatives ultimately integrating successfully into the Bertha Park Community.
A representative of the mission initiate said,
“we’re delighted with our new, purpose made, community space. We have already welcomed lots of local people and community partners through the door and look forward to fostering deeper relationships as we serve the Bertha Park community. Aitken Turnbull Architects listened carefully to our requirements and delivered a fantastic, functional and beautiful space.”
