Unrivaled Experience in Church Design
With more than 1,000 faith-based architecture projects across 47 U.S. States and 3 foreign countries, BGW Architects offers an unmatched level of expertise in church design as well as broad experience with Christian schools and colleges. As a firm that has worked almost exclusively in this industry since 1998, we have an intimate understanding of the changing needs of ministry organizations and a proven record of success with a wide range of projects, from small remodels and additions to commercial building conversions and large ground-up construction projects.
With more than 1,000 faith-based architecture projects across 47 U.S. States and 3 foreign countries, BGW Architects offers an unmatched level of expertise in church design as well as broad experience with Christian schools and colleges. As a firm that has worked almost exclusively in this industry since 1998, we have an intimate understanding of the changing needs of ministry organizations and a proven record of success with a wide range of projects, from small remodels and additions to commercial building conversions and large ground-up construction projects.
Innovative Design
We believe that ministry buildings should provide much more than just a physical space for congregations to gather. They should become dynamic ministry tools that can help ministries reshape their communities and change the world. We believe a ministry is most effective when it is fully immersed in its community and buildings can play a key role in moving a ministry toward this “embedded” identity.
From the earliest stages of design, our church architects focus on helping ministry leaders consider how their new facility can be designed to be a more effective ministry tool that meets the needs of the community, not just on Sundays, but 7 days a week. This includes the idea of merging professional childcare, pre-K centers and other financially sustainable models within church facilities, which has become a hallmark of BGW church building projects.
We believe that ministry buildings should provide much more than just a physical space for congregations to gather. They should become dynamic ministry tools that can help ministries reshape their communities and change the world. We believe a ministry is most effective when it is fully immersed in its community and buildings can play a key role in moving a ministry toward this “embedded” identity.
From the earliest stages of design, our church architects focus on helping ministry leaders consider how their new facility can be designed to be a more effective ministry tool that meets the needs of the community, not just on Sundays, but 7 days a week. This includes the idea of merging professional childcare, pre-K centers and other financially sustainable models within church facilities, which has become a hallmark of BGW church building projects.
Stewardship-Driven
Many architectural firms can provide creative design solutions, but creative design alone can be problematic if it is simply an exercise to show fantastic possibilities that have little chance of getting funded. We believe that reducing the cost of construction begins at the earliest stages with a design strategy that is focused on delivering the highest level of stewardship. Our proven approach delivers innovative designs that work within the parameters of a ministry’s budget and actually get built.
Many architectural firms can provide creative design solutions, but creative design alone can be problematic if it is simply an exercise to show fantastic possibilities that have little chance of getting funded. We believe that reducing the cost of construction begins at the earliest stages with a design strategy that is focused on delivering the highest level of stewardship. Our proven approach delivers innovative designs that work within the parameters of a ministry’s budget and actually get built.
Prior to beginning a preliminary design, BGW takes an extra step in helping ministries to “Count the Costs” and better understand their current financial position as it relates to financial preparedness and current borrowing capacity. Through our partners at JW Capital, BGW ministry clients are provided with an independent review of their financial statements, giving history and overall ability to service new debt. This offers the owner, architect and contractor a solid foundation for good stewardship as they launch into design solutions for the new facility.
Unlike most church architects that charge percentage-based fees, our fees are fixed for each stage of the project based on the square footage of the building. In our experience, percentage-based fees often provide incentive to expand the scope of the project and can lead to over-priced plans that do not fit within the ministry budget. By fixing the architectural fees, the church architect is inspired to make decisions from the start that can reduce the cost of construction.
Prior to beginning a preliminary design, BGW takes an extra step in helping ministries to “Count the Costs” and better understand their current financial position as it relates to financial preparedness and current borrowing capacity. Through our partners at JW Capital, BGW ministry clients are provided with an independent review of their financial statements, giving history and overall ability to service new debt. This offers the owner, architect and contractor a solid foundation for good stewardship as they launch into design solutions for the new facility.
Unlike most church architects that charge percentage-based fees, our fees are fixed for each stage of the project based on the square footage of the building. In our experience, percentage-based fees often provide incentive to expand the scope of the project and can lead to over-priced plans that do not fit within the ministry budget. By fixing the architectural fees, the church architect is inspired to make decisions from the start that can reduce the cost of construction.
The BGW Charrette
Our design process begins with a unique spin on an age-old architectural exercise called a “charrette”. Unlike typical design methods in which the architect works separately with little “back and forth” input from the owner, this highly collaborative effort takes place over a 3 day period at the church or school site, allowing design solutions to evolve quickly with real-time adaptations by the architect, based on the feedback of key ministry leaders and the local BGW Builder.
We have found that this kind of collaboration builds unity and momentum quickly. Clients who have participated in this process with us find it energizing as they think through how they will utilize space to the greatest advantage both now and in the future. Matters that are not entirely clear going into the charrette have a way of becoming more focused as vision and ideas are discussed between all representatives.
Our design process begins with a unique spin on an age-old architectural exercise called a “charrette”. Unlike typical design methods in which the architect works separately with little “back and forth” input from the owner, this highly collaborative effort takes place over a 3 day period at the church or school site, allowing design solutions to evolve quickly with real-time adaptations by the architect, based on the feedback of key ministry leaders and the local BGW Builder.
We have found that this kind of collaboration builds unity and momentum quickly. Clients who have participated in this process with us find it energizing as they think through how they will utilize space to the greatest advantage both now and in the future. Matters that are not entirely clear going into the charrette have a way of becoming more focused as vision and ideas are discussed between all representatives.
I was really impressed with BGW’s charrette design process for our theater and gym projects. Our designer, Austin Fredrickson, really knocked it out of the park. His level of detail, his ability to listen to our needs, and the designs he delivered for us were all exceptional! 
Jim Morrow
Director of Infrastructure
Woodland Christian School | Woodland, CA
The preliminary design with BGW was amazing! I’m so honored and glad that we teamed up with them. They put together an amazing facility for us. Our expectations were exceeded, our vision was captured and it really built an excitement.
Dr. Vincent Robinson
Founder & Senior Pastor
Rightway Christian Center | Mobile, AL
The Preliminary design charrette exceeded all of our expectations! The BGW team listened intently to our needs and desires and did a wonderful job of truly hearing us and implementing all our requests within the plan.
Jeremy Moore
Minister
East Memorial Baptist Church | Prattville, AL
BGW did an outstanding job incorporating our style preferences into the building design. The preliminary design meetings with the architect and builder went exactly as we had been led to expect. You guys have the process down to an art.
Peter Kemeny
Pastor
Good News Presbyterian Church | Frederick, MD
The Charrette process with BGW was just a Grand Slam Home Run in my view. Austin was just a delight to work with, he listens extremely well, is exceedingly patient in terms of fielding questions from novices like myself, and the conceptual drawings were breathtaking! I literally heard my people gasp! I don’t know what else we could have asked for coming into a process that was pretty conceptually intimidating.
Dana James
Executive Pastor
Skokie Valley Baptist Church | Wilmette, IL
We were delighted by [BGW Architect] David Tyson and the help he and Chad [at CD Redding Construction] provided were excellent. Our questions were answered many times before they were asked and our people were really excited about the plans that were presented!
Mike Mutchler
Pastor
Grand View Baptist Church | Beavercreek, OR
BGW did an amazing job designing our new Worship Center. They listened to our needs and preferences and designed a building that perfectly suited us. The weekly communication kept us informed and enabled us to keep the process moving. Their heart for ministry and professional staff were a pleasure to work with. We hope to work with BGW again in the future and highly recommend them.
Shelly Teders
Director of Ministries & Operations
Crosspoint Church | Cape Coral, FL
Don Mahoney and his team at BGW brought professionalism and design expertise to the process of creating a new Science & Nursing building for our University. It was clear that his years of experience in the field came together to help us get the best facility that we could afford. I highly recommend Don and his team for any design task.
Bard Williams
Executive VP
Simpson University | Redding, CA
We had an outstanding experience with BGW during our Charrette. We didn’t know exactly what to expect or even what exactly we needed but our designer, Austin Fredrickson, was exactly right. His designs were classy and contemporary yet he was conscientious of our budget. We didn’t want to cut corners on essentials, but he showed us where we could save some money without any negative impact on the end product. We loved Austin and would highly recommend him and BGW.
Daniel Wentworth
Lead Pastor
Woodlands Community Church | Homewood, IL
I can’t say enough about how great this team is! They made the design process so easy and stress free. They were highly knowledgeable yet creative to allow us make the design feel like our own.
Ryan Antos
Building Committee
LifeCoast Church | Palm Coast, FL
Translating your Vision through Design
Every ministry has a unique DNA and it would be a mistake to assume there is a one-size-fits all design solution for every church. That is why the first day of the charrette is spent listening and asking questions, in order to better understand the precious vision the Lord has given you. We then take all of what we have learned and combine that with our experience to translate your vision into conceptual drawings that can help you begin to cast the vision to your congregation.
Every ministry has a unique DNA and it would be a mistake to assume there is a one-size-fits all design solution for every church. That is why the first day of the charrette is spent listening and asking questions, in order to better understand the precious vision the Lord has given you. We then take all of what we have learned and combine that with our experience to translate your vision into conceptual drawings that can help you begin to cast the vision to your congregation.
Preliminary Design Deliverables
The visual tools that result from the charrette, including floor plans, site plans, elevations and exterior renderings, will help you cast your vision in a powerful way. BGW Architects can also take your preliminary design to the next level with 3D interior renderings and “fly through” animation that can help you generate additional excitement as you launch your fundraising campaign.
The visual tools that result from the charrette, including floor plans, site plans, elevations and exterior renderings, will help you cast your vision in a powerful way. BGW Architects can also take your preliminary design to the next level with 3D interior renderings and “fly through” animation that can help you generate additional excitement as you launch your fundraising campaign.
 |  |  |
 |  |
Builder / Architect Collaboration
The involvement of our local builder partner is critical during this early stage of design, to help keep projects grounded from a cost perspective as we launch ideas and explore solutions. Even the best designers can often go down the road of cost-overrun with little difficulty during preliminary design. An experienced contractor can offer valuable feedback on the cost implications and constructibility of each design decision as well as
The involvement of our local builder partner is critical during this early stage of design, to help keep projects grounded from a cost perspective as we launch ideas and explore solutions. Even the best designers can often go down the road of cost-overrun with little difficulty during preliminary design. An experienced contractor can offer valuable feedback on the cost implications and constructibility of each design decision as well as ideas for value engineering and opportunities for cost savings. Following the charrette, BGW Architects and the local BGW Builder work together to develop a preliminary cost estimate, taking into account all potential site costs, fees and other soft costs that could be involved in order to provide the ministry with a realistic financial forecast for the project.
ideas for value engineering and opportunities for cost savings. Following the charrette, BGW Architects and the local BGW Builder work together to develop a preliminary cost estimate, taking into account all potential site costs, fees and other soft costs that could be involved in order to provide the ministry with a realistic financial forecast for the project.
A/V/L Design
BGW is aligned with Performance Technology Group (PTG), a Granbury, TX based company that provides a turn-key A/V/L delivery process to churches nationally. Beginning with consultation and preliminary budgeting, PTG walks with the client through design, installation, and side-by-side training.
While most A/V/L firms are brought on board later in the process after the architectural drawings are completed, the
BGW is aligned with Performance Technology Group (PTG), a Granbury, TX based company that provides a turn-key A/V/L delivery process to churches nationally. Beginning with consultation and preliminary budgeting, PTG walks with the client through design, installation, and side-by-side training.
While most A/V/L firms are brought on board later in the process after the architectural drawings are completed, the PTG team is integrated from the very earliest stages of design, working right alongside the BGW architecture and construction team. This integrated team approach helps to address many of the challenges associated with the typical A/V/L design process, in which infrastructure requirements get overlooked in the early stages, leading to cost over-runs and delays at the end of a church building project.
PTG team is integrated from the very earliest stages of design, working right alongside the BGW architecture and construction team. This integrated team approach helps to address many of the challenges associated with the typical A/V/L design process, in which infrastructure requirements get overlooked in the early stages, leading to cost over-runs and delays at the end of a church building project.
Green Stewardship
Design choices early on can have a significant impact on the sustainability of your building, property and resources in the future. Sustainable building alternatives can increase efficiencies, sustain the environment and create significant economic return. Many non-profits cannot justify the high expenses associated with LEED Certification, which includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings
Design choices early on can have a significant impact on the sustainability of your building, property and resources in the future. Sustainable building alternatives can increase efficiencies, sustain the environment and create significant economic return. Many non-profits cannot justify the high expenses associated with LEED Certification, which includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings aimed to help owners be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently. However, there are a number of sustainable strategies that BGW Architects incorporate into the design of church and school buildings to reduce life cycle costs and lower the impact on the environment, which allows us to glorify God through our careful stewardship of His creation.
aimed to help owners be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently. However, there are a number of sustainable strategies that BGW Architects incorporate into the design of church and school buildings to reduce life cycle costs and lower the impact on the environment, which allows us to glorify God through our careful stewardship of His creation.
