Alvin Reinhard Fritz Architect Inc. - Lethbridge, Alberta

"I know the price of success: dedication, hard work and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen."
- Frank Lloyd Wright

Portfolio

Alvin Reinhard Fritz Architect Inc.

RR8 S28 C14
5801 1st Avenue South
Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4P4

T: 403.320.8100
F: 403.327.3373

general@alvinfritzarchitect.com

	The Alberta Association of Architects
	Architectural Institute of British Columbia
	Manitoba Association of Architects
	Ontario Association of Architects
	Saskatchewan Association of Architects
	LEED Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design

Places of Worship

Temple Baptist Church,

Medicine Hat, Alberta

The Temple Baptist Church had seen substantial growth, and was limited on a site that was inadequate to accommodate expansion. The church had a vision for a gymnasium & a new sanctuary, and the only way to achieve this growth was to either expand the site or discover a creative solution. In close collaboration with the members of the church, and the board chairman at that time, Henry Strauss, an opportunity that involved placing the gymnasium below the sanctuary was conceived. This provided a difficult structural solution, since it was putting an wide open space with long spans underneath the sanctuary which required equally long spans. In collaboration with Cochrane Engineering, a very deep structural system, almost seven feet in depth, was implemented under the new building.

The problem was further exacerbated by a site that was almost entirely sand to a great depth. The new excavation for the new gymnasium, which required a twenty seven foot ceiling plus the additional seven foot depth of structure that required to span, meant that the gymnasium floor would be far below the lower level of the existing church. In order to combat the potential for the sand running out like an hourglass out from under the existing church foundation, three foot diameter solider piles were installed along the existing church wall. The result was a relatively costly structural solution which was still substantially less than the purchase of the land to expand the church.

In order to achieve a successful sanctuary in a limited footprint, a balcony was designed to wrap around the sanctuary and extend down to the main platform on both sides. This allowed the balcony to be accessed from the main floor, accommodating interactive services, and an ability to effectively engage the balcony environment.

Bethel Free Reformed Church,

Monarch, Alberta

Bethel Free Reformed Church required an expanded facility to accommodate the growing needs of young families in the congregation.

The new sanctuary provides 228 additional seats and vaulted ceilings combined with glazing to allow natural light to penetrate into the space. A walkout basement configuration provides the lower level fellowship hall with exceptional views to the mountains and a large amount of natural light.

One of the most interesting challenges in the architectural profession is designing an appropriate sensitive project expansion in keeping with the original building. ARFAI met this challenge by implementing the functional objectives of the church while addressing the aesthetic considerations with expertise and finesse.

First Baptist Church,

Lethbridge, Alberta

Alvin Reinhard Fritz Architect Inc. was engaged to develop an expansion of the historic First Baptist Church in Lethbridge Alberta. In order to maintain the integrity of the existing church a matching brick was researched to ensure continuity. Numerous innovative design concepts were implemented to maintain historic features and elements such as stained glass windows in the sanctuary which were backlit so that they would continue to provide the original intended ambience to the space.

Immanuel Lutheran Church,

Lethbridge, Alberta

Located on the west side of Lethbridge in a vibrant growing community, Immanuel Lutheran Church established a new facility to accommodate the growing needs of its congregation. This church provided the greatest amount of volunteerism, donated material, and input that ARFAI has experienced in 20 years of practise.

The installation of the rock façade provided excitement as church members including elderly women, and children worked together under Principal Architect Alvin Fritz, who led the crew from his background as a masonry foreman. Community members were also enticed to join, one with masonry knowledge that assisted in the leadership. The realization of the project is a stellar example of generosity, community spirit, team work, and volunteerism accomplishing a dream. This massing of the building was designed as three intersecting pyramids. The northeast houses the sanctuary, and the southwest the fellowship hall. The central pyramid houses the narthex, and allows access from either pyramid. The 3 intersecting pyramid forms, interdependent yet unique components represent the Trinity.

Collaboration with strong, capable client representation afforded a very functional space that is true to the Lutheran tradition down to the sacred space called the chancel within the sanctuary. Measuring up and providing as-built drawings for the historic Casavant organ previously installed at their Sixth Avenue building in 1954, and providing the necessary infrastructure for its successful installation in the new building, presented an interesting design challenge.

Northwest Family Church,

Calgary, Alberta

The North West Family Church is located on a high profile site just off of Crowchild Trail at Rocky Ridge Road. The church was designed to address the high traffic corridor and to draw the attention of passing motorists. One of the key features of the new facility is a bell tower which nestles into the geometry of the facade.

From the onset the church was developed in phases anticipating growth. A large sanctuary was constructed as shell space only without adding the interior finishes. This allowed the church to continue the development of this space at later date without needing to involve the services of an additional general contractor.

Richmond Hill Baptist Church,

Calgary, Alberta

The Richmond Hill Baptist Church was designed with the mandate to provide a traditional exterior aesthetic. The land developer, Dundee Developments, wanted to create a traditional ambience in the community in keeping with a pre-existing historic mansion. This provided a theme for the entire Richmond Hill area for which they were responsible.

The conventional floor plan consisting of a long and narrow nave, which is typical for the historical style, was inappropriate for the church group which desired a more contemporary “fan-shaped” seating arrangement. As a result we worked hard at establishing a geometry which would lend itself to the desired aesthetic without compromising the desired seating arrangement. The final design provides all of the character and charm of a traditional country church and yet accommodates a very contemporary and efficient seating arrangement.

A spacious mezzanine surrounds the main sanctuary seating and tiers down into the main floor from both sides. This accommodates interactive services by allowing direct access to the podium from the upper level seating. It also places as many people as possible within close distance of the pastor and stage events. At the lower level, Christian education spaces benefits from naturally lit sunken courts that also allow access to the outdoors.

Unity Lutheran Church,

Medicine Hat, Alberta

When the Unity Lutheran Church secured a new site in Crescent Heights, they approached ARFAI to provide design services for a new and comprehensive facility. The Unity Lutheran Church leveraged its investment by maximizing the constructed space. An extensive lower level environment was opened up to the Southeast due to the grades, which added interest and opportunity to the site. While this space could not be brought to completion in the initial budget it allowed for Christian Education to grow into this environment over time.

One of the key objectives realized in the design in collaboration with Unity Lutheran Church representatives was a desire to create a sanctuary and fellowship space, which would embrace multiple seating configurations to accommodate a variety of expressions in worship. The implemented design features a curved sanctuary wall defining this communal environment effectively addressing the seminal objectives.

In order to respond to a desire to create a landmark on this high-profile site, a bell tower was introduced effectively addressing the need for an iconic presence in Crescent Heights.

Hillcrest Evangelical Church,

Medicine Hat, Alberta

Alvin Fritz had the wonderful opportunity of traveling through multiple central and southern states looking at the mega churches of the area with Dr. Dan Reinhardt, while he was on sabbatical in that location. The result was architectural and functional programming that would lead to a master plan which would slowly be implemented over time.

ARFAI's turn to serve came after the original design and construction of the core building, and revolved largely around the implementation of a Christian Education wing and a youth facility.

Crestwood Mennonite Church,

Medicine Hat, Alberta

The Crestwood Mennonite Church had an interesting design challenge. They had outgrown their existing sanctuary, and the design of the present nave allowed no opportunity for expansion. ARFAI offered that if they convert their existing sanctuary into a foyer with a mezzanine, it would allow for additional christian education space. Additionally, the creation of an effective administration environment off of the new main foyer in the former sanctuary space, and the new sanctuary could then be provided immediately contiguous and to the south of the existing structure. This was an innovative concept, and in close collaboration with the Church leadership, it was implemented and a successful design resulted.

One of the key priorities of the church was the congregational singing, particularly in light of the fact that many of the church members were part of the prolific community choirs in Medicine Hat. In light of this, the acoustics within the church sanctuary needed to perform effectively with the finishes being neither too absorptive nor too reflective, such as to be disconcerting. In the final analysis the sanctuary provides one of the best environments for congregational singing in the Medicine Hat area.

It is important that expansions to buildings look effective from the exterior, and the form & character of the addition was so carefully integrated such that it is difficult to identify the expanded component.

Victory Lutheran Church,

Medicine Hat, Alberta

The expansion at the Victory Lutheran Church posed an interesting design opportunity. The church had recently constructed an bell tower and sign on Southview Drive. The tower straddled the setback line from Southview Drive, and as such it would have limited the ability for the building to expand towards the north. Rather than re-locate the bell tower, ARFAI opted to embrace it with a curving masonry structure. The result was an architectural solution that brought the bell tower into the building design in an creative and aesthetically attractive manner.

The expansion also provided an new entrance lobby, administrative spaces, as well as christian education spaces for an growing & vibrant church.

The project was constructed by Terry Bartman Construction, an extremely conscientious contractor who ensured that the site was constantly kept in immaculate condition every Sunday, as the church had to be accessed through the construction site.

Temple Baptist Church, Medicine Hat, Alberta
	The Temple Baptist Church had seen substantial growth, and was limited on a site that was inadequate to accommodate expansion. The church had a vision for a gymnasium & a new sanctuary, and the only way to achieve this growth was to either expand the site or discover a creative solution. In close collaboration with the members of the church, and the board chairman at that time, Henry Strauss, an opportunity that involved placing the gymnasium below the sanctuary was conceived. This provided a difficult structural solution, since it was putting an wide open space with long spans underneath the sanctuary which required equally long spans. In collaboration with Cochrane Engineering, a very deep structural system, almost seven feet in depth, was implemented under the new building. The problem was further exacerbated by a site that was almost entirely sand to a great depth. The new excavation for the new gymnasium, which required a twenty seven foot ceiling plus the additional seven foot depth of structure that required to span, meant that the gymnasium floor would be far below the lower level of the existing church. In order to combat the potential for the sand running out like an hourglass out from under the existing church foundation, three foot diameter solider piles were installed along the existing church wall. The result was a relatively costly structural solution which was still substantially less than the purchase of the land to expand the church. In order to achieve a successful sanctuary in a limited footprint, a balcony was designed to wrap around the sanctuary and extend down to the main platform on both sides. This allowed the balcony to be accessed from the main floor, accommodating interactive services, and an ability to effectively engage the balcony environment.
Bethel Free Reformed Church, Monarch, Alberta
	Bethel Free Reformed Church required an expanded facility to accommodate the growing needs of young families in the congregation. The new sanctuary provides 228 additional seats and vaulted ceilings combined with glazing to allow natural light to penetrate into the space. A walkout basement configuration provides the lower level fellowship hall with exceptional views to the mountains and a large amount of natural light. One of the most interesting challenges in the architectural profession is designing an appropriate sensitive project expansion in keeping with the original building. ARFAI met this challenge by implementing the functional objectives of the church while addressing the aesthetic considerations with expertise and finesse.
First Baptist Church, Lethbridge, Alberta
	Alvin Reinhard Fritz Architect Inc. was engaged to develop an expansion of the historic First Baptist Church in Lethbridge Alberta. In order to maintain the integrity of the existing church a matching brick was researched to ensure continuity. Numerous innovative design concepts were implemented to maintain historic features and elements such as stained glass windows in the sanctuary which were backlit so that they would continue to provide the original intended ambience to the space.
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lethbridge, Alberta
	Located on the west side of Lethbridge in a vibrant growing community, Immanuel Lutheran Church established a new facility to accommodate the growing needs of its congregation. This church provided the greatest amount of volunteerism, donated material, and input that ARFAI has experienced in 20 years of practise. The installation of the rock façade provided excitement as church members including elderly women, and children worked together under Principal Architect Alvin Fritz, who led the crew from his background as a masonry foreman. Community members were also enticed to join, one with masonry knowledge that assisted in the leadership. The realization of the project is a stellar example of generosity, community spirit, team work, and volunteerism accomplishing a dream. This massing of the building was designed as three intersecting pyramids. The northeast houses the sanctuary, and the southwest the fellowship hall. The central pyramid houses the narthex, and allows access from either pyramid. The 3 intersecting pyramid forms, interdependent yet unique components represent the Trinity. Collaboration with strong, capable client representation afforded a very functional space that is true to the Lutheran tradition down to the sacred space called the chancel within the sanctuary. Measuring up and providing as-built drawings for the historic Casavant organ previously installed at their Sixth Avenue building in 1954, and providing the necessary infrastructure for its successful installation in the new building, presented an interesting design challenge.
Northwest Family Church, Calgary, Alberta
	The North West Family Church is located on a high profile site just off of Crowchild Trail at Rocky Ridge Road. The church was designed to address the high traffic corridor and to draw the attention of passing motorists. One of the key features of the new facility is a bell tower which nestles into the geometry of the facade. From the onset the church was developed in phases anticipating growth. A large sanctuary was constructed as shell space only without adding the interior finishes. This allowed the church to continue the development of this space at later date without needing to involve the services of an additional general contractor.
Richmond Hill Baptist Church, Calgary, Alberta
	The Richmond Hill Baptist Church was designed with the mandate to provide a traditional exterior aesthetic. The land developer, Dundee Developments, wanted to create a traditional ambience in the community in keeping with a pre-existing historic mansion. This provided a theme for the entire Richmond Hill area for which they were responsible. The conventional floor plan consisting of a long and narrow nave, which is typical for the historical style, was inappropriate for the church group which desired a more contemporary “fan-shaped” seating arrangement. As a result we worked hard at establishing a geometry which would lend itself to the desired aesthetic without compromising the desired seating arrangement. The final design provides all of the character and charm of a traditional country church and yet accommodates a very contemporary and efficient seating arrangement. A spacious mezzanine surrounds the main sanctuary seating and tiers down into the main floor from both sides. This accommodates interactive services by allowing direct access to the podium from the upper level seating. It also places as many people as possible within close distance of the pastor and stage events. At the lower level, Christian education spaces benefits from naturally lit sunken courts that also allow access to the outdoors.
Unity Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat, Alberta
	When the Unity Lutheran Church secured a new site in Crescent Heights, they approached ARFAI to provide design services for a new and comprehensive facility. The Unity Lutheran Church leveraged its investment by maximizing the constructed space. An extensive lower level environment was opened up to the Southeast due to the grades, which added interest and opportunity to the site. While this space could not be brought to completion in the initial budget it allowed for Christian Education to grow into this environment over time. One of the key objectives realized in the design in collaboration with Unity Lutheran Church representatives was a desire to create a sanctuary and fellowship space, which would embrace multiple seating configurations to accommodate a variety of expressions in worship. The implemented design features a curved sanctuary wall defining this communal environment effectively addressing the seminal objectives. In order to respond to a desire to create a landmark on this high-profile site, a bell tower was introduced effectively addressing the need for an iconic presence in Crescent Heights.
Hillcrest Evangelical Church, Medicine Hat, Alberta
	Alvin Fritz had the wonderful opportunity of traveling through multiple central and southern states looking at the mega churches of the area with Dr. Dan Reinhardt, while he was on sabbatical in that location. The result was architectural and functional programming that would lead to a master plan which would slowly be implemented over time. ARFAI's turn to serve came after the original design and construction of the core building, and revolved largely around the implementation of a Christian Education wing and a youth facility.
Crestwood Mennonite Church, Medicine Hat, Alberta
	The Crestwood Mennonite Church had an interesting design challenge. They had outgrown their existing sanctuary, and the design of the present nave allowed no opportunity for expansion. ARFAI offered that if they convert their existing sanctuary into a foyer with a mezzanine, it would allow for additional christian education space. Additionally, the creation of an effective administration environment off of the new main foyer in the former sanctuary space, and the new sanctuary could then be provided immediately contiguous and to the south of the existing structure. This was an innovative concept, and in close collaboration with the Church leadership, it was implemented and a successful design resulted. One of the key priorities of the church was the congregational singing, particularly in light of the fact that many of the church members were part of the prolific community choirs in Medicine Hat. In light of this, the acoustics within the church sanctuary needed to perform effectively with the finishes being neither too absorptive nor too reflective, such as to be disconcerting. In the final analysis the sanctuary provides one of the best environments for congregational singing in the Medicine Hat area. It is important that expansions to buildings look effective from the exterior, and the form & character of the addition was so carefully integrated such that it is difficult to identify the expanded component.
Victory Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat, Alberta
	The expansion at the Victory Lutheran Church posed an interesting design opportunity. The church had recently constructed an bell tower and sign on Southview Drive. The tower straddled the setback line from Southview Drive, and as such it would have limited the ability for the building to expand towards the north. Rather than re-locate the bell tower, ARFAI opted to embrace it with a curving masonry structure. The result was an architectural solution that brought the bell tower into the building design in an creative and aesthetically attractive manner. The expansion also provided an new entrance lobby, administrative spaces, as well as christian education spaces for an growing & vibrant church. The project was constructed by Terry Bartman Construction, an extremely conscientious contractor who ensured that the site was constantly kept in immaculate condition every Sunday, as the church had to be accessed through the construction site.