The new spiritual home for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon (UUFCO) explores the potential for integrating spiritual, educational, and community functions with the subtle beauty of the Central Oregon landscape.
The UUFCO New Home houses a 250-seat sanctuary with minister and choir platform, seven meeting/classroom spaces, a catering kitchen, an administrative office suite, and support spaces. In addition to its primary use, the building will serve the community as an event and performance space, a preschool, and will host yoga classes, art exhibits, and other community meetings.
Located at the edge of Bend’s west side, the project is designed to embrace the high desert landscape, while also serving as a model of sustainability within the often harsh Central Oregon climate – embodying the Unitarian Universalist principle of “respect for the interdependent web of all existence.”
In keeping with the congregation’s dedication to environmental stewardship, UUFCO is Net Zero Ready and it is the first church in the world to attain Earth Advantage Platinum certification.
Sustainable features include:
-Radiant floor heating with heat recovery to minimize energy usage
-South-facing roof overhang to reduce overheating in summer while allowing beneficial heat gain in the winter
-Operable windows to provide increased ventilation and occupant comfort while reducing mechanical cooling
-Stormwater is collected on-site and redistributed to the surrounding native habitat, eliminating runoff
-Utilizes formaldehyde-free wood products, improving indoor air quality
-Utilizes low VOC paints/adhesives/carpets for improved indoor air quality
-Clerestories provide daylighting and views throughout the building
-The roof area is reserved for a future photovoltaic array, and its electrical infrastructure is net zero ready
-70% of wood-based materials are sustainably harvested
-Ecology-based native plant landscaping eliminates the need for permanent irrigation
-On-site bike parking and bicycling/walking paths promote alternative transportation