Design/Redesign

There's a blog entry on Vandelay from a couple weeks ago titled 21 Factors to Consider Before a Redesign. They do websites. We do buildings. There are a lot of similarities.

1. What is the goal of the (re)design?
This is your mission/vision statement. Your church building should both reflect and serve your ministry. Don't set aside your vision statement while you consider your building (re)design.

3. What aspects of the current design are most effective?
"Most likely there are some things about the current design that work very well, and these may be aspects that you would like to keep or incorporate into the new design."

4. What aspects of the current design are not effective?
"Are there some characteristics of the design that do not accurately portray your [ministry] to new visitors?"

5. Who are your target users?
"By knowing who you are targeting and how you can meet their needs, you will be on your way to building an effective [facility]."

6. How can the [building] be more user-friendly?
Visible, staffed welcome center. Clear signage. Third place space. Exciting kids ministry space. Good traffic flow.

12. How can navigation be made more effective?
"Before designing think about how visitors will want to move through the [building], and make it as easy as possible for them."

14. How can increased user interaction be incorporated?
"By making the [building] more engaging to visitors you are more likely to get a high number of repeat visitors." Again, I'm thinking fun stuff for their kids and a swank café.

20. What [ministries] currently have inbound links?
Where are your first time visitors coming from? Are the kids inviting their friends? Are the homeless coming for a warm cup of coffee and shelter? Are business people coming for lunch and free wireless internet? " ... you’ll want to make sure that any changes do not negatively affect these links."