American Institute of Architects - Through a culture of innovation, The American Institute of Architects empowers its members and inspires creation of a better built environment.

Association of Consultants for Liturgical Space - An organization comprised of Liturgical Consultants, Liturgical Design Consultants, Architects, and Liturgical Artists, and Liturgists

Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture (IFRAA) - IFRAA, is a PIA (Professional Interest Area) of the AIA. IFRAA's membership of more than 1,700 individuals includes artists, liturgical consultants, architects, and anyone interested in religious art and architecture.

Partners for Sacred Places - Partners for Sacred Places is the only national, non-sectarian, non-profit organization dedicated to the sound stewardship and active community use of America's older religious properties. Partners provides assistance to the people who care for sacred places while promoting a new understanding of how these places sustain communities.

Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions - Represents Roman Catholic Diocesan Offices of Worship and Liturgical Commissions throughout the United States.

articles

QBS MANUAL: When an owner of a facility undertakes a project requiring architectural or engineering (A/E) services, the owner faces one of the most important decisions for the success of the project—the selection of a professional A/E firm. This decision influences the success of every project element, from site selection, cost estimating, aesthetics, plans and specifications, construction observation to efficient operation and maintenance. The Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) process provides an objective and common sense approach to selecting the highest qualified professional A/E firm for your project.

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin (ACEC WI) and AIA Wisconsin provide this QBS Manual and additional FREE assistance to owners as a public service. To obtain your copy of this manual, go to: www.qbswi.org/docs/A-EQBS.pdf.

ACCESSIBLE FAITH: A Technical Guide to Accessibility in Houses of Worship. Increasingly, congregations are striving to welcome all members of the community into fellowship, with opportunities for full participation in worship, study, service, and leadership. This publication will guide congregations that are improving accessibility for persons with disabilities, including the growing number of older adults. For more information, go to www.rrf.org/noteworthy/AccessibleFaith-final.pdf

LUTHERAN PRINCIPLES OF WORSHIP: Worship Space and the Christian Assembly is available for downloading at: www.renewingworship.org/resources/principles/download.html

LITURGICAL DESIGN CONSULTANTS: Who They Are and What They Do, an article by Rev. Richard S. Vosko, designer and consultant for worship environments since 1969, including Assumption/St. Paul Church, Church of Corpus Christi, Our Lady of Fatima Church, St. James Church and St. Joseph’s Church in Scotia. Reprinted from the Journal on Religion, Art & Architecture with permission of the Faith & Form magazine (www.faithandform.com). [PDF document]

PROJECT DELIVERY OPTIONS: When hiring a team to design and construct a building today, there are many different ways to structure the work. Within the building industry, conventional methods are being challenged by clients and consultants alike in attempts to save time, spend less money, reduce litigation, create less conflict or heighten the building’s quality. While minor variations make each working arrangement unique, the major differences fall into one of three categories: traditional methods, construction management and design-build.

Each of these project delivery options—that is, how the various individuals organize their participation and responsibilities to complete a building project—creates certain advantages and potential limitations. In the case of each project, the relative merits of the employable delivery systems must be evaluated. This document summarizes, compares and contrasts the three most commonly used project delivery approaches as an aid to evaluating project delivery options. [PDF document]

CATHOLIC AND SUSTAINABLE: A Green Approach to Church Architecture, an article by Carol Frenning, a liturgical design consultant and art historian with whom we worked on the Chapel Renovation at the Motherhouse of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. [PDF document]

FUNDRAISING is often one of the most difficult aspects of a church building project. Churches often prepare materials for this effort in house, with varying degrees on success. Included here is a piece developed by one of our clients, Calvary United Methodist Church, that we felt did an excellent job of capturing the excitement around their building project along with a good description of the project and the process. Perhaps you will find some good ideas in this piece. [PDF document]