UCM’s new building was designed by Tafler Rylett Architects. We thank them enormously for their wonderful work and dedicated service.  Below is an overview of their design process for UCM:

History & Vision
In the 1950’s the Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga (UCM) bought a farm with apple orchards at the edge of Port Credit and built their own building. As the new millennium approached, the church realized their need for more space was an opportunity to embark on an ecologically friendly, accessible building project that could expand their relationship with the local community.  

Sharing with the Community
The congregation wanted the hall be a welcoming and comfortable place for members of the larger community involved with the arts & community organizations, as well as for community and family celebrations of the congregation.

Although the hall addition has been only open since 2007, the church has become the home for concert groups such as Windmill Theatre and is often used by the Sierra Club for meetings. Regular monthly art shows are exhibited on the walls and many family and community celebrations have taken place.

Reverence of nature is a common link to spirituality in many cultures and beliefs. To create a hall that felt linked with nature and open and welcoming to all members of the community, it was designed around a central metaphor of a clearing in the forest. Tree-like columns are arranged around a large, circular Canadian cherry wood floor and the building is surrounded by native trees that can be seen through the large windows. The irregular geometry of the building allows events to be set up either casually or formally.

Environmental Design
The Unitarian Congregation, like many churches today, wanted to have a building that was designed following environmental guidelines, looking at the use of material resources and energy as well as at increased, continuous use of the church hall during the whole week and throughout the year.

The hall is oriented to take advantage of passive solar energy, with a well-insulated building envelope and energy-efficient mechanical and electrical equipment, receiving a federal CBIP (Commercial Building Incentive Program) grant for being 36% more energy efficient than the MNECB (Model National Energy Code for Buildings).

Greening the site
The congregation is in the process of extensively landscaping the site largely with native trees, shrubs and flowers. This will create a micro-climate that will help with the energy efficiency of the building, protecting it in the winter and cooling it in the summer. The landscaped courtyard also provides space for events to flow out of the large doors of the church onto shady lawns.  Paved areas for driveways and parking have been reduced and replaced with areas of greenery.

In 2006, the building was awarded a grant by the Federal Government for its energy efficiency and the plaque is displayed outside the entrance doors.