CEDAR SPRINGS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
WELCOME CENTER
cedar springs PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
WELCOME CENTER
YEAR:
2024
LOCATION:
Knoxville, TN
SIZE:
3,000 SF
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
To address the needs of an outdated and somewhat confined main welcome center, Cedar Springs Presbyterian partnered with MHM on this initial phase of campus improvement projects. The existing welcome center had not been significantly updated since it was built alongside the current main sanctuary in the 1980s.
As the primary entry point into the church, the design goal was to refresh the space, giving it a more contemporary look and feel. New finishes, lighting, millwork, and furnishings were installed, and wayfinding and messaging monitors were thoughtfully integrated into the design.
A significant upgrade to the Welcome Center was the creation of a dedicated coffee/beverage/snack space for gathering and fellowship. This new area was formed by opening up an adjacent classroom to the welcome center and was outfitted with new finishes, lighting, furnishings, and millwork to create an inviting fellowship space.
To maximize the efficiency of the existing space, MHM conducted a code analysis of the building’s fire exiting and determined that two adjacent pairs of exterior doors in the welcome center could be eliminated. This allowed the design team to repurpose the space for additional overflow seating from the sanctuary.