Programming for Problem Solving

Problem Statement

The St. James African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church is a historic building in Ithaca, NY. The outreach and activity spaces in the church no longer suit the community’s needs and affect the functioning and success of the church, whose leadership is focused on supporting the growing fellowship of the church and community while honoring the historical significance of the institution. This architectural program defines the current and intended purpose of the church spaces. Through research and analysis, the programming document outlines the issues, goals, performance recommendations, and recommendations for the redesign of the existing church spaces, ensuring the design process meets the client’s and community’s needs.

Methodologies

In-depth interviews with leadership and church and community members, along with behavioral and space observations, were leveraged to understand the current and desired functions of the church spaces. A literature review was compiled and experts in historic building conservation were consulted.

Deliverables

A programming document outlining the recommendations for a redesign of the community outreach and church activity spaces was presented to the client. The resulting program proposes solutions that target the historical, aesthetic, and functional qualities of the space, such as dedicated spaces for the display of historical artifacts and reconfigurable furniture to support a variety of activities to engage both church and community members.