"First Church Tosa Chancel Project Status"
Document Display Site (21-Feb-2023)
This WEB presentation provided to summarize the current document and information set for the chancel remodel project at the First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa. This is for transfer of information within the chancel team as we peoceed forward with this project.
Recent design changes:
The previous design is off the books as a result of the 29-Nov-2022 Construction Review meeting. Updated: 10-Dec-2022.
2022-Dec-11: Review of design with changes in Church staff suggested some new ideas. These suggestions prompted the creation of four new renderings of the chancel space. The previous OMEGA43.skp and OMEGA44.skp were the basis of the changes. Details below.
2022-Dec-16: Team member review of previous release was eye opening and solves many of the troubling problems. There is only one final rendering to review. The video OMEGA45HB.mp4 and the Base file OMEG45.skp.
2022-Dec-19: To answer the question of the Communion Table construction. The video CommTableHB.mp4 and the Base file CommTable.skp are provided.
2022-Dec-28: it was pointed out that some links on this presentation index did not have the associated file on the site. These were from 2017 and 2018. They have been reinstalled and reconnected.
2023-Jan-08: A questioning analysis on Majesty and Heritage.
2023-Jan-11: Corrections to the Analysis pages and added a number of pictures to show the standing level for the Pulpit and Lectern over history. This is so we don't ignore the wisdom of our forefathers and kill the heritage and majesty of the Chancel.
2023-Feb-02: New think gets rids of the penisulas and enhances moveability.
2023-Feb-05: New think gets rids of the penisulas and enhances moveability again.
2023-Feb-09: Added a chair at the Lectern and the Pulpit. Corral is a little bigger.
2023-Feb-21: New video of chancel area.
Project Plans and Proposals: Updated as of 2023-Feb-21
'OMEGA56hb.mp4' - This video has added after extessive discussion and ideas have been batted around in the committee. Other suggestions are welcome.
'OMEGA56.skp' - New SketchUP Design Model (21-Feb-2022) You will need a SketchUP viewer app to view this interactive design document
'OMEGA52hb.mp4' - This video has added a chair at the Lectern and the pUlpit to the change of thought for the new chancel area shown in the '51' renderings. This plan leaves the existing front platform was is, removes the carpet for reuse else where and adds the hardwood decking. The Lectern and Pulpit are moved to the sanctuary floor with the standing and seat area behind straddling the platform steps. There is a 3 inch layer under each unit to provide a 5 inch step rise behind the units for the speaker stand. Naturally all dimensions have a + or - 2 inch tolerance. Its just a mock-up. Other suggestions are welcome.
'20230111 A-History-Tour.pdf' - A History Tour (11-Jan-2023)
'20221206-Why-ADA-is-not-required.pdf' - A rational discussion (06-Dec-2022)
'CommTableHB.mp4' -Some where there was a question of how the Communion table would look and be built. I put my ides to the computer and made a rendering of how the current "altar" could be disassembled and put back together to produce my vision of the table. All of the work is Cut and Paste (Saw and Glue and Hammer and Clamp). The colors I used are for illustration only. I am not suggesting a green Communion TabIe. It would use the same top we have today and the panels would be white as today. This can be discussed in the morning. Other suggestions are welcome.
'CommTable.skp' - New SketchUP of Communion Table (19-Dec-2022) You will need a SketchUP viewer app to view this interactive design document
'OMEGA45HB.mp4' - This rendering shows the result of a team member noticeing that the choir in front of the cross distracts the main perspective of the worship purpose of the chancel. Simply removing the side choir loft steps and placing the step in the middle improves the perspective, replaces two 39" passages with a 48" wide passage, and gains two additional choir seats with the option of two more seats in the top row if needed. The other problem solved is by moving the organ away from the front modesty wall, there is now a passage from the organ to the piano that is not through the main focal center during worship. The other observation after studying the 12" cut down of the Pulpit and lectern, it was too much. The units have been cut down by 5" this time which seems ideal. This required the addition of the second step for these units and (ED:strike out "a side wall" and add) a small curb to keep the chairs from falling off the upper step and to provide a railing for the steps. All of these changes deserve full team review. Updated: 28-Dec-2022.
'OMEGA45.skp' - New SketchUP Design Model (15-Dec-2022) You will need a SketchUP viewer app to view this interactive design document
'OMEGA43BHB.mp4' - This rendering builds on the '43A' changes shown below while making a significant change in the lectern and the pulpit. A review with our Sr. Minister on 7-Dec-2022 suggested that we do not need to provide the enclosed seating at these two locations. This change would require that the height of these lecture areas would need to be reduced or railings would be needed around the raised area. This has always been a design concern. When bringing these units closer to the congregation also made them look taller perspective wise. By removing 10 inches out of each unit's height, the perspective is better and only a single 7" riser step would be needed behind them. A simple chair (not shown) would be on the riser. This would make the units modular, lighter, easily reenforced, and movable. The movabiliy of the units was raised as a priority. Updated: 10-Dec-2022. After team and committee review, it is deemed that only 5" should be removed from the height of each unit and two steps should be provided behind each speaker's position. The video has not been corrected for this added height in each unit. A chair on top of each step unit would need a small curb behind it so that it would not fall off the back of the step unit. It is also suggested that a stanchian be positioned on the first step as an aid and an indicator that the step is there and is not a trip point. Updated: 28-Dec-2022.
'OMEGA43AHB.mp4' - This rendering shows the original design with changes requested by the Director of Music. Primary purpose is to correct sight lines from the Organ and the piano to make the choir, and director easier to see during worship. The organ is rotated 90 degrees CCW so the keyboardist is facing North toward the piano, choir to the left and congregation to the right. Yhe piano is rotated 195 degrees CW so the keyboardist view is to the South West showing the choir ahead, organ, and lectern on the left. Updated: 28-Dec-2022.
'OMEGA43A.skp' - New SketchUP Design Model (10-Dec-2022) You will need a SketchUP viewer app to view this interactive design document
'OMEGA44AHB.mp4' - This rendering shows an altered view that might need to be done to support a temporary ramp up to the primary chancel deck. Two alternate positions for the ramp are shown. One has the ramp using part of the main aisle when deployed. The second moves the ramp into the right side sanctuary seating area so that it does not obstruct the view of the chancel when deployed. This latter position requires more removal of pews to provide space for access needs. The changes requested by the Director of Music are also inclued. Updated: 10-Dec-2022. The idea of an under platform temporary ramp has been discarded in the planning. This video is purely referential history only. There still remains two storage chambers at the organ wall for two halves of a temporary ramp if needed. Updated: 28-Dec-2022.
'OMEGA44BHB.mp4' - This rendering shows the changes in the lecture units and shows the impact of ramps in the design. The ramp idea is believed to be an unacceptable alternative. This simply remains for completeness of presentation. Updated: 10-Dec-2022.
'OMEGA44A.skp' - New SketchUP Design Model (10-Dec-2022) You will need a SketchUP viewer app to view this interactive design document
Historic Records
A brief design history follows:
2914: The Chancel will benefit from resolution of numerous safety issues and functionality. Maintain the primary goal and grandeur of the chamber as the house of worship. Moves the Piano from blocking a primary exit aisle to the outside in emergency. Bring the organ out of the "pit" and make it movable for concerts and presentations. Provide for Keyboard Musicians a much safer access between the Organ and Piano during worship. Provide a non-Anglican expandable choir arrangement and hand rails for area access. Moves the "Altar" to prominence as a real Communion table consistent with our faith. Provide an open layout for weddings, music venues, and possible public events.
2014-2015: Many renderings were created to determine how the chancel could be arranged for organ, piano, choir, and ministers could share the space. The original drivers were to make transition between organ and piano simpler and safer for our keyboard musicians. Changing the choir orientation from Anglican to more Congregational. Add flexibility to the space for concert, stage presentations, recitals, etc. during non-worship times. Remove the piano from a major fire lane from the nave
2017: Architectual drawings for the Chancel were prepared in accordance with the OMEGA34 design. That was the 60th version produced. The decision was made to install a new elevator before proceeding with the chancel project.
2019: A Capital Commitment Campaign was started to raise the funds for a new elevator and the chancel remodel. The plan was for a combined $700,000 with $500,000 for the elevator and $200,000 for the chancel.
2022-Mar: The elevator project was started with completion scheduled for Oct-15th-2022.
2022-Sep-01: Resurrection of the Chancel plans was begun with a new OMEGA40 rendering that addresses differences introduced by the "Permit Set" drawings of May-2017. The proposed ideas directly speak to the Choir loft design that eliminated one choir member position to provide an un-realistic need for a "public passage egress width of 40" in two areas that are choir loft access routes only. Note: Today the path is only 27" wide for Ministers and Choir. The design also includes very minor changes to the OMEGA34 design and speaks to procedures for sound isolation and absorbtion in the deck platform.
2022-Oct-05: New revelation about ADA requirements have changed many possibilities that are shown in Omega41 rendering. The associated document "20221005StateOfChancel.pdf" presents these new changes. It appears that the choir platforms are sized incorrectly for the space available in the "Permit Set" drawings of May-2017. This will be confirmed within the next week.
2022-Nov-07: Proposed changes to the "Pricing Set Drawings of May-2017. Changes in Ramp, Wing Panels, Choir Loft Safety and Sizing Issues and ADA requirements. These changes are shown in the OMEGA42BCHB.mp4 video that is available below.
2022-Dec-06: An example of what a hidden ramp in the nave might require. These changes are shown in the OMEGA44HB.mp4 video that is available below.
'20180904DesignNotes.pdf' - Design Notes (04-Sep-2018)
'Elevator&NaveSpecialMeeting.pdf' (10-Jun-2018)
'20180508Present.pdf' - The Chancel Remodel Proposal (08-May-2018)
'OMEGA34HB.mp4' ORIGINAL BASIS OF TEAM RESULTS: Chancel Render Flyover Updated: 25-Oct-2017 {Large File = SLOW Load}
'OMEGA34.skp' - SketchUP Design Document (25-Oct-2017) You will need a SketchUP viewer app to view this interactive design document
'20171002ChancelInformation.pdf' - Chancel Proposal Presention (02-Oct-2017)
'20171001Q&Anotes.pdf' - Notes/Questions from the First Chancel Information Meeting (01-Oct-2017)
'20170921TalkingPoints.pdf' - Project Talking Points (21-Sep-2017)
Architectural Records from 2017
GCA Chancel Overview Pages (PDF: 26-May-2017)
GCA Pricing Set Drawing Extracts (PDF: 26-May-2017)