Church Architecture Committee

The Church Architecture Committee was disbanded in 2025 and the church’s ministries no longer need permission from national bodies to build and expand their structures. The information on this page is provided for the interest and use by ministries as they consider new developments and renovations.

Selecting Your Design Team

Construction workers consulting blueprints After establishing a building program and budget the Building Committee should proceed to engage an architect.

Because churches and gathering spaces fall into an “Assembly” occupancy type, the Building Code usually requires that you engage an architect / engineering team to assist you in designing your project, for reasons of fire and life safety.

Check with your municipality about the requirements in your area.

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Document 6 (Client – Architect Agreement), describes the tasks in each of the phases.

Having established the idea that a construction project is desirable or necessary, the first step to be taken is to form a Building Committee.

A Church

The Building Committee should represent all major interests within the congregation. It should have vision of the future needs of the congregation and should consist of practical people capable of thinking clearly, impartially, decisively and with the ability to communicate effectively with an architect.

Implementation

Be realistic about the time needed to organize a project. Prepare a schedule that includes enough time to hire your architect, work through the design process, prepare construction documents, obtain planning approvals and building permit, determine appropriate costs, engage a builder / general contractor, and complete the construction process.

Keeping a strong and open line of communication between your committee and the congregation will be vital to the success of your project. You need the support of the people financially as well as spiritually: If the congregation feels together in support of a project, the journey will be much smoother, and the results will give satisfaction to all.

When working with an architect / engineer design team, it is normal to go through various stages of design before pricing is requested from contractors, and before construction starts.

The typical stages of a construction project are:

- Programming/pre-design
- Construction documents
- Schematic design
- Tendering (bid period)
- Design development
- Construction
- Warranty period.

Approvals – General

In every construction project, there are many approvals necessary in the course of the project; including approvals from your presbytery, financial institution and local / Regional Municipality (for planning approvals, building permits).

Some of the approvals take several months to obtain. It is advisable to meet with your municipal planning and building officials at an early stage to determine if your idea is possible within their legislation.

Questions you should ask include:

Do we require planning approval for this project?
What zoning by-law requirements apply?
Are there parking requirements?

If you are building close to a property line, you should ask: What setback requirements are for the property? Are there construction restrictions if we build close to the property line?

If undertaking the work by construction management, you may become the “Constructor.” In this case, you attract all the liability of an employer. Contact the Ministry of Labour to determine your liability if this is applicable.

Building Code:

Depending on which province the project is located in, there may be a provincial Building Code, or National Building Code, to be followed. All projects should be submitted to the local municipality to ensure compliance with the applicable Building Code. A building permit is required for any construction project bigger than 10 square meters.

Cost Estimating for Construction Projects

Figuring out the costs of your project

Your Architect may be able to provide historic costs for similar projects, for general guidance. A cost estimator will be able to provide more accurate guidance with regard to anticipated construction costs. A general contractor will also offer “ballpark” costs based on previous experience. However, until there are definitive drawings describing the scope of work, everyone is only guessing at the actual cost.

Because the cost of a project is a very important component in the overall scheme, it is critical to arrive at a realistic and thorough cost estimate before committing to proceed. Many people make the mistake of hoping that they will be lucky; that they can reduce costs by cutting corners; doing work with volunteers. People frequently try to minimize the scope at the start, and think that scope can be added during the design process without adding to the cost.

It is best to make an honest and complete cost plan at the beginning of the project, and plan to minimize sleepless nights over unrealistic commitments. As well, there are other costs related to the project that you may have to factor in.

If you have to do the same work over a longer time frame (for example, in phases, so that the building can continue to be used during construction), the extra time is going to cost more money. There is no magic bullet!

Cost estimates are prepared based on drawings or text descriptions of the work required. Until it is described on paper, it is a guesstimate. Basement space is NOT free.

Cost estimates are typically prepared at the end of the Schematic design and Design Development stages. The cost estimate at the end of the design development stage in widely regarded as the most important reference for the likely cost of construction. If the cost estimate at this stage is different from your capital cost target, this is the time to make scope and design changes required to meet your budget expectations.

You can request a “pro forma” from your architect, cost consultant or from the CAC Presbyterian office.

Heritage Buildings

Heritage buildings are meant to be celebrated and protected and our churches have a wonderful opportunity to play their part in this overall strategy of renewal and investment to the future of our denomination and our communities.

Whether it is a quaint clap board sided church or an impressive brick or stone masonry one, each of these buildings represent a tremendous repository of our shared denominational church experience. Within them we have been baptized, confirmed, married and eulogized and they form an integral part of the individual faith communities in which we have participated. The challenge comes to so many churches when these church buildings are no longer able to appropriately meet the needs of our community (program limitations) or has become too expensive to maintain, repair or renew (financially infeasible).

The cost to renew heritage buildings can be higher than other buildings. The materials used can be more expensive, but the benefit is found in the longer life expectancy of these finishes and building elements that ultimately represent a more cost effective solution.

In some provinces, any building over forty years of age would need to be evaluated to determine whether it has heritage significance. Each province has established heritage conservation departments to deal with the recognition, celebration and protection of historic places for today and for future generations.

Sustainable Design

Given the urgency of action by the design community under the threat of global warming and climate change, several programs have been established to promote sustainable design, energy efficiency, and green design.

As a building owner, it is in your best interest to promote energy efficiency, since it will directly affect the cost of operating your building. Simple approaches to reducing these costs, like insulating to higher than minimum standards, use of proper sealants and construction details, will save large sums of money over the life of the building. In addition, incorporating natural day-lighting techniques, natural ventilation, and high performance glazing in any building project will lower the energy demand and thereby save additional money.

Accessible Environments

Accessibility design guidelines are changing as our society develops ways to integrate people with a wide variety of challenges to be able to access and be comfortable within the built environment. “Equal access” is becoming the standard for design of buildings, particularly public and community buildings.

Although there is a Canadians with Disabilities Act, the equal access provisions must be legislated at the provincial level; and not all provinces have done so.

Municipalities have adopted accessibility design guidelines. These municipalities in many cases also have an “accessibility co-ordinator”. This person will help you determine the appropriate design standards for your project. Take note however that the municipal guidelines cannot supercede provincial legislation.

In the absence of Canada-wide legislation to provide for universal accessibility in the built environment, you can order a copy of CAN/CSA-B651-04 (R2010) “Accessible Design for the Built Environment” .

Note that these are starting points only, and that your municipal/provincial legislation may differ from these standards.

Guidelines for Successful Construction Projects

Download

Contact

The Rev. Ian Ross-McDonald
General Secretary, Life and Mission Agency
The Presbyterian Church in Canada
(416) 441-1113 or +1 (800) 619-7301 ext. 289
presbyterian.ca

Links and Resources

Ontario Association of Architects
Public resources, hire an architect, how to choose an architect and other helpful links

Provincial Architects Association

Different forms of contract for construction

Architectural heritage organizations

Canadian Green Building Council

Faith and the Common Good

Energy Efficiency
professional resources / sustainable design / knowledge centre

Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MOEE)

Accessibility – Presbyterian resource page
To help deal with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Building Code – e-laws
Congregations are encouraged to search for building code websites for their own province.

Helpful Publications

“When you Build: a Guide for Congregations of The Presbyterian Church in Canada” by F. Ralph Kendall Leading with Care The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)

Contract Documents:
Document Six – Standard Form of Contract for Architectural Services
Document 7 – Agreement Between Client and Architect (abbreviated version)

Canadian Construction Documents Committee

(CCDC-2) Stipulated Price Contract
(CCDC-14) Design-Build Stipulated Price Contract

Glossary of Terms

We recognize that there are a lot of words specific to the architectural design community that you may not be familiar with. This list, while not conclusive, explains some of the more common terms.

Accessible – also “Equal Access” – meeting certain design and construction standards required to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility issues

Addendum – A change to the contract documents, described in written or drawing form, issued during the bidding / tendering process to the bidders.

Aesthetics – The overall appearance and style of a new project or renovation that takes into consideration the relationship between the different parts of the building, its placement on the property/site, its relationship to the community around and within which it will be built, use of similar or complementary materials in construction, thoughtfulness with regard to signage and decoration, pleasantness of exterior landscaping/parking areas, and does not jar in any way.

AIBC – Architectural Institute of British Columbia; licensing body for the profession in B.C.

Architect – for someone to be called an “Architect” they must have become registered with – and remain in good standing – the provincial licensing body for Architects; The architect’s “seal” or “stamp” is provided upon registration and is surrendered upon retirement, death or misconduct.

Capital Costs – Those costs relating to building or renovating a building. Capital cost excludes “Operating Costs”, and “Soft Costs”

CaGBC – Canada Green Building Council

CAHP – Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals

Change Orders – A document prepared by the Architect to describe a change to the construction contract, for approval by the Owner.

Construction/Contract/Production Drawings and Documents – after approval of the design development stage – the final detailed working drawings of what will be undertaken , including materials and finishes, as provided by all consultants, and final cost check on which the General Contractor will make his bid for the job. The Specifications are a part of these documents. All legal requirements are noted.

Consultants – the professionals engaged to lend their expertise to the project: engineers, landscape architects, quantity surveyors, lawyers, etc.

Contingency – an amount, usually 15% of the contract cost that is included in the Construction Contract to pay for unforeseen items, changes requested and required during the course of construction.

Design-Build Construction Management – the provision of services, often without the participation of an architect, for a building project; often touted as being more economical – questionable –which makes the client the constructor and therefore liable as an employer. This is often more than a church body can – or should – undertake.

Design/Preliminary Design Phase – drawings roughly blocking out the program, a review of the scope of the project as determined by the client; review of relevant by-laws and heritage review; consideration of client’s budget; presented for approval before commencing the next stage.

Elevation – a drawing that shows the wall surface of the building. It could be an inside wall, r the outside.

Engineer – Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Sound (Acoustic), Electrical, etc. These individuals, like architects, must be licensed by a professional body (usually provincial) to be called “Engineers”. Their expertise relating to the structure and systems of a building is complementary to the work of an architect.

Functional – a detail in the plans that satisfies a practical need and works!

Geotechnical – Information about soils, and underground conditions

Hazardous Materials – Materials which are considered hazardous to your health – In the context of buildings, typically including asbestos, lead, mercury, mould,

Heritage Buildings – These are older buildings that are remarkable for either their past use or their architecture. This can be both a general term, and a legal term (which may differ among municipalities, provinces, etc.) The designation is usually given to retain aspects (or the whole) of a building which are of such a nature that they are considered valuable in the historic sense/design sense to the general population and may therefore require certain standards with regard to any renovation, construction anticipated.

Homolgate – to express agreement with, or approval of, something, esp. To confirm officially

HVAC – short for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiative – unites eleven churches and religious organizations in faithful action for ecological justice and human rights.

Leading with Care – a Presbyterian Church in Canada standard required for all its buildings existing and to be built, to ensure the safety of church members and employees. This includes such things as windows in doors.

LEED – Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Environmental Design – a rating system (Silver, Gold and Platinum) used to encourage architects, designers, contractors and clients to perform their work with sustainable design in mind.

Lien Holdback – a sum of money withheld from payments to the contractor, and held in trust by the Owner, to pay directly to subcontractors who have not been paid by the general contractor. Lien legislation describing the requirements and the process, is provinicial, and does not apply to all Provinces.

Lump Sum – payment of a specific amount versus a percentage of overall construction costs, generally to consultants

MOEE – Ministry of Environment and Energy (Ontario)

OAA – Ontario Association of Architects; licensing body for the profession in Ontario

Operating Costs – Those costs incurred after the project is complete: the day to day expenses involved in the operation and management of the building (electricity, roof repairs, etc.)

Production Drawings/Phase – see Construction/Contract Drawings

Program – the thoughtful wish list of the client, indicating uses of areas, and specific products desired

Quantity Surveyor – an individual trained in ascertaining the cost of a project from the detailed drawings and specifications: the basis for a final budget and cost estimate. In Canada, it is more common to use the term “Cost Estimator”

RAIC – Royal Architectural Institute of Canada: a national body of licensed architects. It is not a requirement of an architect to be a member of the RAIC to practice.

Schematic Phase – A stage of the design process in which the general appearance and layout of the project are determined by the design team and approved by the owner.

Section – a plan shown as if taking a slice through the building, showing the interrelationship of all floors, walls, roof and basement

Shop Drawings – detailed drawings prepared by the manufacturer of selected products prior to fabriaction or ordering. The review of shop darwings by the Architect and / or engineers offers a final look for compliance with contract documents and coordination issues.

Specifications – the written description of the project, the materials, the time line, the management of the construction site, the identity of materials and products to be used, giving manufacturer, model number, colour, any detail that would identify the specific product the client requires; also the standards to be achieved as in concrete strength, window glazing, coats of paint, etc. and the manner of application or construction where applicable.

Survey – legal survey, geotechnical (soils), etc.

Sustainable Design – taking care in the design about the use of natural resources and designing buildings to use less heat, electricity, artificial lights, etc.

Tendering – also referred to as “Bidding”. The process by which interested parties (contractors , builders) offer to do the work as described in the contract documents for a firm price. This may be done by an open bid (open to anyone qualified to submit a price), or prequalified, or invited, (open to to pre-selected contractors). The tendering process is often referred to as “going out for tender”