Adaptive Reuse Challenges.

The unique architecture of churches often makes them attractive candidates for adaptive reuse. However, repurposing them into modern-day educational facilities can be especially challenging. When Ambleside acquired Cornerstone Church, it knew that the three-decade-old building would require extensive renovation. Everything from zoning, permits, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, structure, layout reconfiguration, and other issues was part of the challenge.

 

Objectives

Transforming the former Cornerstone church into a modern-use school for Ambleside, Colorado, required vision, resources, and hard work. The principal objectives of the project were to create a learning environment that would reflect the principles of Ambleside, provide facilities for students and staff to learn, study, and work, and be budget-conscious and prudent with the school’s resources.

 

Solutions

For PMG, it wasn’t the challenges but the solutions that mattered in the end. The success of the project depended on PMG’s expertise, diligence, fortitude, and grit to meet Ambleside’s goal to open the school after Christmas break. PMG worked on the new design while simultaneously addressing building deficiencies that were discovered during the due diligence phase. Code compliance, structural defects, and moisture issues were remedied and completed on time in conjunction with the project schedule. Even with considerable delays in the building department due to the change of use, PMG made up for lost time and expedited the 20-week schedule for substantial completion in 16 weeks.