Architecture for Real People

This was a research paper written while at Ball State University. It was distributed on request to an AIA public relations committee, and to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. It received written praise from Carnegie researcher Lee Mitgang. 

Ten years later, I can add that my experience has substantiated many of the statements written as a student. Namely, 1) architects services are too often perceived as a commodity, and 2) the best way to engage the public (and develop new clients) is be known--as an architect--and liked. 

"Architects must strive to be more likeable, more visible, and better communicators. "

Summary:

“Architecture for Real People” addresses the issue of how to make architecture and its practitioners accessible and understandable to the population at large. Misconceptions about architecture need to be overcome by education, and by correction of the bad habits of the architectural profession.

Educational concepts for children include school-based inter-disciplinary education centered around architecture, extra-curricular education programs through universities, programs at museums and institutions, and special hands-on workshops with practicing architects. For adults, education is a bit more difficult, but involvement can be attained. When adults are involved in architectural design or related issues, they can not only learn about architecture, but perhaps also un-learn some preconceived notions about working with architects.

Architects, themselves, are perhaps the ones in need of the most education, however. Somewhere along the line, we have forgotten (or never learned) how to respond to our clients’ needs and communicate effectively. Architects must strive to be more likeable, more visible, and better communicators.

In order for architecture to be accessible and understable for “real people,” there is a need for education of both the public and the architects, so that they more fully appreciate one another and can work together for a better world.

Read the full paper in PDF form.

Youth Center Epitomizes "Ancient-Future Church"

This article was written as a news-format marketing piece for Architectural Alliance, Inc., by Jeremy Fretts.

Click here for the PDF version with photos and letterhead.

Contemporary theologian Dr. Leonard Sweet speaks of the “ancient future” church, where old and new coexist in a very postmodern symbiosis. The new youth center, “The Gathering Place,” for First Christian Church in Sullivan, Indiana, seems a likely realization of the concept in built form.

Its construction resembles a centuries-old Amish barn, featuring hand-selected, custom harvested, postand- beam framing. Yet the facility houses a very contemporary ministry with all the high-tech accessories. Not only does ancient building form meet modern usage, the project team bridges generations, as well.

“I’m thrilled, as a senior citizen, to have been selected to work with the youth on their facility,” said Pete Lennox at the groundbreaking for “The Gathering Place” of First Christian Church in Sullivan. Pete was being a bit modest. Truth be known, the youth handpicked Pete after rejecting two other architects for their new ministry center.

After interviewing two architectural firms, the building committee asked the youth for their opinion. “Well, you could hire either of those firms and it would be OK, but we wouldn’t use the building.” With that shocking revelation, the committee set out to find another architect. Gary Reid, a member of the committee, remembered the positive experiences he had had with architect Pete Lennox, and called Pete to ask if he would “come out of retirement” to design the facility. Little did he know that Pete’s idea of retirement is working 30-40 hours a week in association with Architectural Alliance.

Senior citizen Pete quickly became friends with the youth of the church, and developed a design based on sketches that youth member Aaron Reid had drawn. The resulting design is groundbreaking, indeed. Youth Minister Jerry Dusenberry considers it to be a model for the 21st century church. (Based on some of Dr. Sweet’s writings on architecture.)

The building is designed not to house youth classrooms, but to serve as a “Gathering Place” where the youth can bring friends who are not involved in the church’s youth program. To put it bluntly, it’s designed to be a hangout. With two snack bars, multiple levels of balconies, video projection equipment, and a small game court, the heavy timber structure is as dynamic as the youth program itself. That’s just what the folks at First Christian Church were looking for.

It remains to be seen just how well this ancient-future building will serve its community. However, with an ancient, timehonored construction method and the wisdom of an elder designer, the youth have a strong foundation on which to build the future of their ministry.

Oh, and one more thing: budding designer Aaron Reid, whose ideas are the basis for the finished design, has now decided to pursue a career in architecture.

Put God back in your churches, not your TV's

On Sunday, January 12 (1997), Pastor Sherrie Drake of Gethsemane U.M. Church in Muncie, Indiana spoke of allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse and empower us. This challenge to live a Spirit-filled life of active Christianity came just days after I had heard a television preacher's answer to our world's problems. As worship leader, I shared this story in our 11:00 service, and later offered it in print form for all to ponder. * I was "channel surfing," at home when I ran across a famous television preacher commenting on the state of our world: how terrible, the way God is no longer present in our homes, schools, and public squares. Oh, the moral decline of our country. We need to have God back in public life the way He was when our country was founded. . . That's why we want to make sure you have the opportunity to renew your membership in our ministry. Your support is vital to saving our nation. . . I was outraged. You see, I think I know a far better way to solve our problems. Why is it that certain TV preachers often skip over the idea of getting up from your television and investing your time and money in your local community, local church, and in spending time in Bible study and prayer? The "answer" lies in the Spirit of God working actively in the hearts and lives of Christians who seek Him. Put God back in your churches, first! If we involve God in our churches, homes, and individual lives, if we allow His Spirit to work within us, no one will be able to keep God out of our schools, squares, and cities! When His people return to a life where worship is a way of life and Jesus is friend and counselor every day, the world won't be able to ignore us. "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (emphasis added) And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:46-47, NIV. May we all continue to seek God's will for our lives each day, looking for ways in which we can represent Christ in all our daily activities. # # # # # Copyright 1997 Jeremy C. Fretts. -An architecture student at Ball State University, Jeremy Fretts serves as a member of the steering committee of the Student Forum of the United Methodist Church, a member of the Northern Indiana Committee on the Episcopacy , and is Worship Leader at Gethsemane United Methodist Church in Muncie, Indiana.. This article may be used in its entirety by United Methodist organizations, persons actively involved in the United Methodist Church, or those involved in any Christ-centered campus ministry. Simply notify me that you will be reprinting them, and make sure to cite the source in your publication. The printing of excerpts, or use by any other organizations requires permission from the author, which will probably be granted if you just ask. The first paragraph of this article may be omitted.

It was nice to meet you

Jeremy Fretts

Published in "Hoosier United Methodist" October, 1996

Published in "United Methodist Interlink" October, 1996

"It was nice to meet you," Joel said as he hugged me goodbye. Joel was a fellow tenor I'd met only two days before in choir practice. I still hardly know him, and yet I feel like he's my brother. Strange . . . "Nice to have met you," isn't usually accompanied by a big heartfelt hug. . . What warranted this uncommon farewell? We were departing Oklahoma City, and the annual Student Forum of the United Methodist Church. What I found there was a taste of heaven, and the future of the United Methodist Church. Four hundred students from across the U.S. and around the world gathered as students committed to the ministry of Jesus Christ through the United Methodist Church. More exciting than the dynamic speakers, more exciting than the official birth of the "United Methodist Student Movement," was the evidence that God has already been moving. For three days, the OCU campus was filled with people who LIVED, and BELIEVED the Gospel. I was continually amazed as I expected to find someone who was just there for the party, but found only rock-solid, compassionate, scripture-following people my own age. I found that I could walk up to anyone, sit down to a meal with anyone, or sing beside anyone, and, regardless of who they were, find an instant friend and someone who accepted me "just as I am." A new friend and a new blessing in every direction. This was heaven on earth--devout, loving Christians from all walks of life, together for discussion, learning, and worship. And you should have heard us worship. Four hundred Christians sincere in their desire to worship a living God bring new meaning to the simplest song or the grandest hymn. Sensitive issues addressed in our legislative session were handled with the compassion we should expect from other Christians. Here were no superficial Christians, but students who are ready to lead an old denomination into a new anointing for a new millennium. As we, the four hundred, return to our outposts around the U.S., we are obligated to share what we have experienced, and to lead the church into the future. Be forewarned, however, that these sincere new leaders will expect more of our churches. They have experienced jubilant and sincere worship, not bound by time or ritual. They have witnessed the results of the destructive forces of hatred at the Oklahoma City bombing site. They have heard the challenges of bishop, pastors, and peers to take their faith beyond the walls of the church to change the world at all costs. They have explored the cultures and beliefs of other Christians in the U.S. and around the world, and found common ground. They have experienced true, unconditional love for each other. They WILL NOT accept business as usual. "...Your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." (Acts 2:17) I went to Oklahoma to get some new glasses. My vision is a lot clearer now. And I found out that there are some other folks my age who wear (Godly) glasses, too. We see the world a bit differently. We hug and say, "It was nice to have met you."

# # # # #

I walked to Target

I saw Jesus today. At my apartment complex. He bore a strange resemblance to a seven year old boy. . .

“Hey, wait a minute,” he said. I looked at him. He called out again, and jogged toward me. “Where are ya goin’?” he asked.

“Target.”

“Can I walk with you—I’m going to my friend’s house and it’s on the way to Target.”

“Sure.”

“Good, I’ll have some company. Why are you walking to Target instead of driving?”

(“So I’d have something to write about?”)

As this boy and I walked together and talked for only a tenth of a mile, I learned a lot. He was on his way to his cousin’s apartment. I commented on how nice that was, and he responded, ”yeah I’m lucky that my cousin lives in my apartment complex.”

I told him that my cousins always lived far away, but we enjoyed it when we got together. His response, intended to wish me similar good fortune, was, “I wish that everybody could live near their friends.”

This brief conversation probably lasted less than two minutes, but oh the lessons to be learned from it!

“Why are you walking to Target?” The apartment complex I live in is across the street from the midwest’s favorite department store. It’s a short walk—down the drive, across the ditch, and across the street into the Target parking lot. It is not, however, a walk that most people would take in our autocentric culture. I choose to walk places to be outside, to get a little exercise, and to get away from the car I spend hundreds of hours with and thousands of dollars on. If I hadn’t walked, I wouldn’t have met my new friend. We wouldn’t have chatted. I wouldn’t be writing this story.

“Good, it’s nice to have company.” I remember when I was a young boy walking alone to my grandma’s house. Just like this situation, it was a very short walk. But I was often afraid. I used to call for our dogs so they would be with me. I know how my young friend felt. I also know how he felt because I am single and live alone—I treasure any opportunity to be around other people, especially friendly ones. Oh, how I wish I could do as he did: simply select a passerby and say, “Hey, can I walk with you? It’s good to have some company.”

“I wish everybody could live near their friends.” Boy, so do I. Why on earth don’t we? Why do we spread ourselves all over creation, leaving friends and family chasing success. I know, mine is a simplistic argument—there are careers and opportunities and desires. And I’m as guilty as anyone. But what I’d like to know is when it became abnormal to live close to friends and family. Immigrants and pioneers crossed seas and plains with close friends and their families. Parents and their grown children once worked or at least lived in close proximity. Grandparents once helped raise the kids. In college, my friends and I dined at a table for twenty and didn’t hesitate to stop by one another’s rooms unannounced for a visit. Once upon a time neighbors could be found sitting on each other’s porches sipping a glass of lemonade, or in the kitchen chatting over a cup of coffee. I wish everybody could live near their friends.

I’m so glad I walked to Target tonight. Not only did I get to serve this young friend as though he were Christ, not only did I learn from him and receive a blessing from his company, I had a chance to be Jesus to this boy as I befriended him. Won’t you find somewhere to walk, someone to keep you company, and someplace where you can be among friends? Won’t you seek to be a friend, and a servant of Christ for someone else, today?

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

- Matthew 25:40

“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of heaven like a little child will never enter it.”

-Mark 10:15