Christian Embassy International is a multicultural, international church headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia. As their ministry in the 7-city Tidewater area continues to grow, they have enlisted Barnes Design to develop more suitable Christian Ministry Center for their existing 3.5 acre site in Chesapeake. A strategy was mapped out enabling them continued use of their existing structures while the replacement facility is constructed. Due to the compact nature of the site, along with a lean development budget, the efficiency of the floor plan layout and construction methodology were soon identified as crucial to the success of the project.
In just 20,000 square feet, the compact plan wraps a full Nursery, nine Classrooms, Administrative Offices, a Kitchen and table/chair storage space around a state-of-the-art 400-seat Multi-Purpose Sanctuary, and allows intuitive access to all areas by way of a central Lobby with large Toilets and a soaring ceiling. The building’s sloped metal roof forms and careful detailing and massing successfully present a fresh, upscale take on a traditional vernacular architectural style that fits perfectly into its surroundings.