Briefly describe the design highlights or unique features of this project:

Connections Church, located in a repurposed applesauce factory in West Virginia, is experiencing significant growth—particularly in its community engagement and teen-focused programs. As participation increased, existing spaces became limited and program overlap began to hinder operations.

What specific challenges did you face during this project, and how did JHA Companies solve them?

JHA Companies was engaged to evaluate options for facility expansion. After a thorough review of the existing structure and strategic discussions with church leadership, the team identified an underutilized section of the original factory as the best opportunity for expansion. However, the existing structure in that area was determined to be cost-prohibitive to renovate. JHA developed a concept for a new construction addition within the original footprint, designed to meet the church’s evolving needs. The proposed space balances the historic character of the factory with contemporary design features that reflect the vibrant identity of the current church. A detailed rendering was provided to help church leaders share the vision with their congregation and support future planning and fundraising efforts.