[printprofilepic]The Building Plans Steering Committee has a lot to report this month. First and foremost is that the Architect Selection Task Force (ASTF) has completed their task and has made their recommendation to the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos Board.
The ASTF started with an initial list of eighteen architectural firms that was drawn up based on recommendations from the congregation, information from websites, and personal experience of members on the ASTF. This list was culled to a short list of seven candidates based on an evaluation matrix that included scores for 1) work in the area; 2) experience with large public buildings; 3) aesthetics of building design; 4) experience with green construction; 5) staffing; and 6) overall impression.
This short list of seven candidates was contacted by email and four of them responded favorably to the ASTF inquiry. These four architectural firms were contacted directly and sent the official cover letter and the Charge to the Architect document drawn up by the Building Plans Committee. Arrangements were made for each firm to visit our site and talk with the ASTF. Each firm then made a presentation to the ASTF outlining their experience, capabilities, thoughts on building possibilities (within the framework of the Charge to the Architect document), and their firm’s approach to working with an organization like the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos.
The ASTF evaluated each of the four architect finalists based on the following criteria:
- Communication skills
- Creativity
- Ability to generate enthusiasm in the congregation
- Positive potential for working together on design and construction
- Quality of designs
- Competency to work with congregation and community
- Ability to execute the project
- Flexibility in designing to meet our needs
- Competence in sustainable design
- Cost of initial design stage (January through May, 2011)
Selecting a single architect from the four finalists was not easy. As the ASTF reported to the Board:
“Overall, we found each of the four architect finalists to be capable and competent; the decision for the final selection was heavily weighted towards creativity (given the open format of the presentation), communication skills and potential within the framework of our congregation, and our perception of issues surrounding working with the particular architect.”
Based on these criteria and perceptions, the ASTF selected Mullen and Heller as the architectural firm who would work best with our congregation. Again, in their own words:
“Based on their strong communicative approach to possible church designs, Mullen and Heller was the top choice of three (out of five) committee members. They presented three designs, each with interesting elements, but did not lobby for any one in particular—the committee felt this was a positive indicator for architect-congregation interaction. Mullen and Heller has good church experience (e.g., First UU Church in Albuquerque), knows the Los Alamos County process (designed the Animal Shelter and the White Rock Visitor Center), and has experience with “modest” designs (the Lutheran Redeemers’ Church on Diamond Drive). Given our fund raising challenges this final point was considered to be very important. The firm demonstrated good creativity in their three designs and included several innovative options for the sanctuary. Their approach of having a 3-D model of the site with movable blocks representing design elements shows good communication/interactive skills/approach. They have a very practical and “down-to-earth” approach and demeanor. The general consensus was that Mullen and Heller is a solid and motivated firm that will work well with our congregation.”
After listening to the inquiries, activities, and criteria the ASTF used in their selection process, the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos Board unanimously agreed to accept their recommendation at the December Board meeting.
I personally and publicly want to thank the ASTF for approaching their task with such dedication, enthusiasm and an extraordinary combination of insight and common sense. I believe that they completed this difficult and daunting task in such a way that all members of our congregation can feel well served and proud. The members of the ASTF, who may be contacted with any questions you have about the selection process (or just to say ‘thank you’), were:
- David Coblentz
- Nancy Tenbrink
- Kathy Gursky
- Gordon Keating
- Eric Vasquez
The ASTF is planning several informal sessions during the coffee/forum hour in January to answer questions that the congregation might have about the selection process. Please be watching for announcements in the Sunday Bulletins.
The next step in the Building Process is for the congregation to approve the selection of Mullen and Heller as recommended by the ASTF and the Board. To that end, a Congregational Meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, January 23, 2011, right after the 11:00 service. As promised when we started the new building process back in 2008, the congregation will be voting to accept or reject the architect selection at that meeting. Please put this meeting on your calendar:
Sunday, January 23, 2011 @ 12:15
Congregational Meeting and Vote:
To approve the selection of Mullen and Heller as our architect.
Please feel free to contact me if you have ideas, issues, concerns or suggestions for the BPSC.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick Bolton
Chair – BPSC
