CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT <"big idea" phase>

What is the “big idea?” In this critical first step, we work with you and the team of core stakeholders to conceptualize, understand, and articulate the placemaking implications of your ministry’s unique vision, mission and purpose. Through an interactive workshop / charette process where “the sky is the limit,” possibilities are explored to challenge, inspire, and educate, while ownership and excitement is garnered among core stakeholders. We refine the content or story we are telling at every step. The better we understand the essence of what we are trying to deliver emotionally, the easier we can “value engineer” the vision later. As the story becomes distilled, the “edits” become obvious. Projects not based on a solid vision, or one that is not easily communicated up and down the line, can be picked apart as the inevitable budget cuts arise. Without knowing the center of what is absolutely essential (usually a single sentence or message), the idea then fragments and loses its creative value.

PRE-PRODUCTION <feasibility assessment>

Early in the process, our multi-disciplinary team of financial, design, and construction experts will partner with you in the strategic analysis of your development feasibility. We work with you to craft a “financial box” within which the project will live as it is developed. The concept can be put to the test or put on a strict diet. A framework budget and master schedule are developed in order to determine appropriate levels of financial and time investment that should be allocated for initial phases of development.

SCRIPTING <programming>

The Script (also known as the space program) is a written analysis of the functional components that will make up the project. Through a detailed process, a “snapshot” of current space utilization is taken and projected into the future in order to determine the component pieces that will make up the project. Just as the individual scenes of a film must be properly timed and sequenced, spatial and functional sizing and relationships must be fully considered in order to enhance the experience.

STORYBOARDING <site planning>

The Storyboard (or experience plan) considers the sequence of events encountered by a visitor (particularly an unchurched “seeker”) carefully considering opportunities to enhance sense of arrival, circulation, way finding, fellowship, outreach, and worship needs. The media we use to present the Storyboard may range from a series of portable image boards to a multimedia presentation. The site is analyzed for its existing conditions, context, and ultimate “carrying capacity” (based on local zoning and parking development standards). The master site concept includes components related to major use, thematic districts, circulation, open space, landscape areas, and phasing.

PRODUCTION DESIGN <schematic design / design development>

Our design process meshes the disciplines of urban, architectural, landscape, interior, and graphic design in order to create the foundation for a built environment that fully considers functional and experiential needs. Our ability to render and simulate reality with colored renderings, sketches, multi-media presentations and 3D modeling takes the guesswork out of the process and shortens the distance in the design process. In addition, the products of this phase prove to be invaluable to the entitlement, “Vision-casting,” and fundraising components of the project.

DESTINATION ARCHITECTURE <development management>

In order to ensure that the design intent is effectively transferred into real places, a Visioneering Project Director serves as the primary project consultant throughout the project’s life cycle including budget, scope, and schedule development. Preconstruction pricing and General Contractor involvement is integrated into the design documentation stages, avoiding financial “surprises” and painful “de-value” engineering which is typical of church projects. Our relentless focus is on the complete delivery of an experiential environment that facilitates a connection between people and Christ. Whether we manage a local architect or serve directly as the architect-of-record, Visioneering’s Project Director leads the process from “dream to dedication.”