Building Section

RALEIGH, NC, September 6—Hayes Barton United Methodist Church’s new addition, The Well, has won an Award of Merit in the Cultural/Worship category from Engineering News-Record Southeast’s 2017 Best Projects competition. The addition was designed by Skinner Farlow Kirwan Architecture. It includes sculptural elements from nationally renowned sculptor Thomas Sayre. Design forms throughout compliment the sculptures in an appealing balance between form and function that blends into the neighboring community.

Constructed from August 2015–2016, the Well is not only a spiritually transformative worship space, but also the church’s houses outreach programs, including Meals on Wheels, Urban Ministries of Wake County, and Disaster Relief training.

Subtle brick patterns, chevron windows, and tapered brick columns tie the addition into the existing sanctuary. The lower level hosts the Step-up Ministry, a weekday preschool, and a 501c3 non-profit learning center for at-risk preschool children. The main level has a multi-purpose room with space for contemporary worship, fundraising, and a gymnasium. The new chapel was finished with salvaged stained-glass windows and wormy chestnut from the original chapel. The upper level houses staff offices and a large teaching room to accommodate a growing population of youth parishioners. Sculpture and holy spaces are incorporated throughout, invoking a sense of the Biblical story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman, who met at Jacob’s well.

At the addition’s center is the “Well” sculpture by Thomas Sayre, a two-story instillation featuring iridescent blue terrazzo water shimmering below clay earth castings. The dome above filters sunlight, reflected off angled mirrors, to engage all who pass through. New playgrounds were erected outside. The “Water Canopy,” another Sayre sculpture, stands outside to encourage visitors in to pause and reflect. Its shape mimics the interior “Well”.

Sculptor Thomas Sayre

This is the 17th annual Best Projects awards competition hosted by ENR Southeast. The Well at Hayes Barton UMC will be featured, along with other Best Project winners, in the Nov. 6/13 print edition of ENR Southeast.

Skinner Farlow Kirwan Architecture is a local architectural firm in Raleigh, NC. Founded in 1957, they specialize in educational, health, worship, and community building projects.

Design and Construction Team: Owner: Hayes Barton United Methodist Church - Building Committee Chair, Henry Jones Architect: Brad Farlow, AIA, NCARB, LEEP AP - Skinner Lamm & Highsmith, Raleigh, NC General Contractor: Brasfield and Gorrie, Raleigh, NC PME Engineer: Progressive Design Collaborative, Raleigh, NC Structural Engineer: Gardner and McDaniel, Durham, NC Landscape Architect: McNeely Associates, Raleigh, NC Sculptor: Thomas Sayre, Raleigh, NC Owner's Rep: Jim Lage, Raleigh, NC

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Brad Farlow at (984) 222-0572, or bfarlow@sfkarchitecture.com

Wilson Community Health Center, designed by Skinner Lamm & Highsmith Architects has won a Design Award in the Service Category from American Institute of Architects-NC Eastern Section.  "This modest yet iconic building provides critical health services to three counties.  It considers the existing context and accommodates the growing spacial needs of the existing facility." Jury comments from 2016 AIA NC Eastern Section Service Awards

The clinic’s success facilitated the need to expand.  More parking, a covered drop-off, additional office space, a larger pharmacy, and a more spacious waiting room were needed.  We maintained the design attributes of the original structure including the playful placement of punched openings, use of scored block and metal panels.  Utilizing additional properties adjacent to the original clinic, the main entrance was relocated to the new building where parking was also added.  The building angles in deference to the main train line that separates downtown Wilson from the residential area to the East allowing maximum space for parking.

We designed the original Wilson Community Health Center clinic building that was completed in 2005.  This facility won a merit award from the Eastern Section of the NCAIA in 2006. The current project for the addition and renovation was completed in 2015.  The finished facility is 31,461 SF with 17,775 SF being new construction.  The 2005 clinic building was also renovated (4,523 SF).

This building had to be designed in a way that allows full use of the facility during construction of the new building.  Careful site placement and building configuration facilitate a functional flow of patients as well as security for staff.  The pharmacy is strategically placed to allow it to function independently for staff and very conveniently for patients.

The new 2-story addition is constructed from load bearing masonry walls with bar joists supporting a concrete deck.  The rooftop mechanical unit is concealed from view by an extension of the metal panels.  The connection between existing and new construction was kept small to minimized shoring of the existing structure.

The site is located at a junction between a residential district where many of the clinics patrons reside and Wilson’s downtown /warehouse district.  It is surrounded by urban streets on all 4 sides and is bounded by the main rail line to the southeast.  The train station is located to the south of the site and to the north is the Old Wilson Historic District.

Sustainable features include locating the building on a dense urban site that was previously developed and is very well connected to the community that it serves by walking, bicycling, and public transportation.  The site features water efficient landscaping and the impervious area was actually decreased with the addition.  Windows provide natural light and views while an energy efficient mechanical and lighting system were employed.  A large portion of the exterior is covered with metal panels that have a very high recycled content.