Bell Youth Center
Highland Park Presbyterian
Dallas, Texas
Seat Count: 600
Project Completion: 2005
Architect: F&S Partners
Project Type: Renovation
AD Scope: Acoustics, Audio, Video, LightingRelated projects
Main Auditorium
When Highland Park Presbyterian in Dallas developed a new space for their youth program, they evaluated renovating a property just off campus. As they discussed the purchase, the ministry realized they wanted to communicate to the youth that they were connected to the ministries within the church. So they began examining possibilities on campus. It was decided to renovate a formal space, Currie Hall — that was utilized by the Senior Adult ministry into the place for high school and junior high students to call their own. (Not only did the senior adults donate their space, many of them were responsible for funding the project.)
Because the space is located below grade, there was no opportunity for movement of walls or for raising the ceilings. Not only that, but a number of support columns break up the space.
Working within the envelope, F&S Partners and Acoustic Dimensions developed a main worship space for high school, a smaller worship space for junior high, a game area, ministry offices, and a cafe area.
The sound system is distributed because of the low ceilings and acoustic panels were given a funky, wavy design and positioned between cross beams. Cable raceways are exposed so that there was no drilling through concrete, but covered with the same metal as the columns so that they blend in with the theming of the space.
Distributed video also plays a role in the space for IMAG, video games and scrolling announcements.
Acoustic domes are suspended over each gaming station to provide a small amount of sound isolation between gaming areas.
A small karaoke stage features a camera so that teens can see themselves on screen.
In addition to providing the youth ministry with their own space, the church also doubled the size of their youth staff so the ministry has as much relational support as technical support.
