Monarch worked with the Columbia Friends Meeting (Quaker) congregation to design a modest worship space and fellowship area that blends into the surrounding central Columbia residential area. Environmentally-friendly design was a high prioritity and the congregation aims to achieve annual net-zero electric consumption. A shared parking agreement with the adjacent school, a well insulated wall assembly, high performing windows, south-facing roof area for solar panels and under-slab insulation all contribute to the building’s lighter ecological footprint. The master plan for the project included a church residence and future parking that might one day need to be constructed. By planning for these long-term possibilities, low-cost items, like conduit for future utilities and increased stormwater management, are accommodated in the first construction phase.
