After relocating from their cramped home on Montevallo Road to a more spacious campus on U. S. Highway 280, Mountain Brook Community Church also needed to move its college ministry, known as UCF (University Christian Fellowship) Birmingham. Then located in an old retail center several miles from the new church site, the church elders decided to relocate the ministry to a new building on the campus. The new building would have to adhere to the design vocabulary and colors of the heavily renovated existing buildings while at the same time appeal to college students. In addition, the building needed to have the warmth of a home away from home for the students who were to use it.

The building design began with the idea of the interior having the feel of a downtown loft space.  This meant open, voluminous spaces with few partitions, exposed structure and ductwork, stained concrete floors, all centered on the concrete and wood coffee bar. The coffee bar is located in the central gathering space with a vaulted ceiling. The furniture in the central space is arranged for intimate groupings as well as views of the stage area where Christian based singing groups and individuals frequently perform. Two meeting rooms off this space gain a cozy feel from a wood burning fireplace and from being tucked under the upper loft area which contains recreation space and a commanding view of the stage below.

Owner:

Mountain Brook Community Church
Mountain Brook, Alabama