James River Church Youth Center addition and renovation

Last edited 1:48 p.m., Nov. 5, 2024 [Editor's note: The square footage has been updated to include the renovated portion of the project.]

A postmodern vision that embraces exposed ductwork and building systems resulted in a sophisticated hangout for kids at the James River Church Youth Center Addition, located at 6100 N. 19th St. in Ozark.

“Being able to expose all the systems and materials that the owner wanted created more of an industrial aesthetic – not something we get to do all the time,” said Nick Schurk, project architect for Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective. “Everything that is sometimes hidden away gets put on display, and while that’s challenging, it results in a really interesting and cool project.”

Schurk said the project was especially notable because the sophisticated design is for children.

“Kids and youths in general don’t always get the forefront of facilities and design work dedicated to them,” he said. “To have this be for the most part exclusively for them was a rewarding aspect.”

The project was challenging, according to Schurk, in part because of the innovation required to stitch together new and existing mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and to connect new steel supports – all while keeping the building safe and functional for the client to use.

“A project of this scale is like a massive surgery,” he said. “It’s not just plopping down a building addition.”

The design team came up with a system of temporary access tunnels made of conex, or cargo boxes, and these were used throughout the duration of the process, Schurk said, crediting Ross Construction Group for the idea.

“It was a really creative way that I personally had never seen before,” he said. “It worked really well.”

On the James River website, church officials describe the center as a youth ministry and worship space that brings younger members out of a separate building they previously occupied and into the main church.

Design team members note that the center includes youth offices and a cafe, as well as tabletop gaming areas and conversational spaces with brightly colored contemporary furniture. There is also a youth auditorium – built from remnants of an old gym – that seats upwards of 800 people.

Office spaces in a more muted color scheme are located on the second floor, officials say.