During 2009 we have been undertaking a serious look into possible development of the large interior of the building to meet the needs of the local community as well as the worshipping congregation and to increase the income for the upkeep of St Mark's. Interested groups from around the Parish sent representatives to workshops held in the church to form the basis of a DQI ( Design Quality Indicator ). The results of the DQI have now been handed to an Architect for preparation of a Feasibility Study, which we hope to receive shortly.

IDEAS FOR DEVELOPING ST MARK’S

Essentials
Worship space seating for 200+ Altar, Lectern, Pulpit, Font, Organ, Piano etc
Vestry
Parish Room, includes kitchen etc

Much needed
Toilets + Disabled toilet
Permanent disabled access
Office
Gardening storage
Adaptable space for large and small activities
Relighting
Sound and loop system
More storage space

Would be nice!
Decent storage for 4th Clerkenwell (currently occupying tower space)
Development of tower space
Safe access to the tower roof suitable to escort public for viewing
Garden put to lawn and shrubs for low maintenance!
All gates lockable with some key ie no chains!
Reredos cleaned
New ceiling
Less ugly, more effective heating

Suggestions
Another strip across the west end of the church simular to current meditation
Office space with moveable partitions and glass on part of the east wall to view into worship space
Space should have two floors, possibly second floor in current office space.

Increase paved area on the North of the Church to the fence to house a cycle bay

Toilets could be placed at the bottom of red staircase and disabled one at ground level within the stairwell -
see architect drawings

Groups invited to attend the initial workshop:

1st Islington Scout Group

4th Clerkenwell Guide group

Alternative therapies

CARIS

Children’s Worker

Christian Mediation Trust

City University Vice Chancellor

Clerkenwell Parochial School

Community Police

Drummers

Fair Trade

Local Council

Myddelton Square Leaseholders Association

St Mark’s Clergy + The Archdeacon and Area Dean

National Children’s Society

Neighbourhood Watch

Residents

S.E.H ( Crypt )

Shine TV Company

St John’s Ambulance

St Mark’s Studios

The Amwell Practice

The Amwell Society

Trinity

World Community of Christian Meditation

The initial workshop:

The project objective was defined as:"To provide the community of St Mark’s Church in Myddelton Square with a building that: assists in

effectively serving it, physically, spiritually, educationally and socially; sustaining the service into the

future and to raise the profile of the Church in the community."

The main ideas discussed and agreed were:

Not reinstating the original (1828)  design of the church as new ideas should be developed

Having a unified, active and dynamic management of the entire building

Management to be friendly and accessible (future)

The use of best management processes (in an affordable way)

Maximising the capacity of the building

Increase in the floor space in the church (physically)

Making the building financially and practically sustainable

Affordability of the rent for artists

The potential of the tower view (great asset) there is currently a constant request to access the tower

Consider a nursery

Consider the possibility of one or two residential rooms for short stay use

The creation of a main entrance (inclusiveness ) vs. several points of access for the groups not coming in

contact with each other (eg noisy activities) of one entrance)

The need for quiet space/ minimising the possibility of conflicts( sound proofing)

Control of users and how the space is used, appropriate vetting system / guidelines

The current users taking priority on future users as well as frequent users should take priority, better to

get smaller numbers of people using it more times

The need of a reception area

Alternative therapy, art gallery, schools, as other potential users

Making the building fully accessible to disabled people

Being open to sharing with other Christian faith groups

Consider the impact of changes, not only in the short term - think long term (100 years +)

The sense of space and preservation of a central area in the building

Usage of the existing floor space

Possibility of multi use spaces

Designated spaces, such as St Mark’s Chapel, with flexibility for small community use (worship/prayer)

Making the square’s park more interactive with the church

Consider Islington Council's derelict building in the park for potential partnership (not belonging to the

   church) for cafe/concerts/catering for events in the church

The core is St Mark’s congregation, The Meditation Centre and Trinity Church

A usage system should be set up (bookings of the premises)

Collect users’ feedback

Respecting all users

Should the school be considered a partner, the need for silence to be preserved must be resolved within

the design.

Maintaining/Improving the sound and acoustic quality / suitable acoustic for use of the church wherever

possible

Music is an important part, keep it central in all planning (eg organ position)

The spiritual identity of the building and this should drive all the other priorities

Give an identity (place of healing and silence) --- drive people's attention – a common theme thread in

every space

Serving the community fulfils the spiritual function

Raising the profile of the church within the community

Providing a place where people can meet God – we should preserve this aspect

A beautiful, attractive and welcoming space

Reaching a wider group, not only local worshiping community, increasing the use of the local and

worshiping community

Changing the way of presenting the church, show a new image, not only a worship place

The design should make people feel wellcome and embrace spiritual aspect of the building

Become a landmark building---contemporary aspects in the architecture - 21st century building

Being as green as possible, an exemplar

Ensuring the activities within the church building reflect the all pervading essence of worship

The use of durable materials

Consideration of materials and maintenance during design stage

Monitoring bills to measure the impact on maintenance and on the environment

Ease of use and operations

Consider the use of solar heating/power systems

Adequately warmed- currently very cold in the winter

Energy efficiency

Longer term flexibility, when one group moves out, the following group should be able to use it.

Flexible use of space/public forum