October 2019

by Carol Badaracco Padgett of Church.Design "I'm here to talk about the connection of faith and works," said keynote speaker Erik Cooper with The Stone Table based in Indianapolis. The Stone Table is a resource community for faith, work and missions. Cooper's talk kicked off the 2019 annual meeting of the National Association of Church Design Builders (NACDB), Sept. 10-11, in the business offices of the Texas Rangers Stadium in Arlington, Texas. NACDB is a nationwide association of construction-related specialists that consult, design and build churches. Cooper's talk encouraged the nearly 65 committed companies represented at the annual meeting to focus on design-build in a team framework operating on the concept of faith and works. Church.Design spoke with NACDB Executive Director Meghan Williams about the organization's purpose and mission--and where church design is headed moving forward. Church.Design: When you break it down to its fundamental mission and function, what does the NACDB do? Williams: We connect like-minded firms by educating and equipping them to serve and provide resources to faith-based markets and customers. Our vision is to integrate biblical values into the creation of facilities that positively impact the Kingdom of God. Church.Design: How do architects, builders, interior designers and AV consultants benefit from being an NACDB member, on a business level? Williams: Due to the continuing education and 'iron that sharpens iron' that occurs between each NACDB member, the personal and professional growth that members experience is always noted as their most valued benefit. In addition, they have the opportunity to highlight their craft and position themselves as experts in the field

In early October, PBS participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for Rhino Baseball’s new indoor training facility at 301 Gregory Court in Shorewood, IL. When it opens, it will provide baseball players with advanced training and development, while preparing them for their future endeavors. Representing PBS at the ceremony were Chad Charon, vice president, Bryan Reiser, vice president of operations and Brad Podowski, marketing manager. They were joined, among others, by Greg Blaesing, president of Rhino Baseball, Andrew Tehako, co-owner/operations manager of Rhino, Kelley Chrisse of the Village of Shorewood, plan commission board members and village board members to officially break ground on the property. “Choosing PBS for this design-build was the best decision we could have made,” said Greg Blaesing.  “From our first meeting with PBS, Chad, Bryan, Erik and the rest of the staff have been amazing and their customer service second to none. Choosing PBS for this design-build was the best decision we could have made,” said Greg Blaesing. This project has involved close communications between Rhino Baseball and PBS as a single source of delivery between owner and the PBS design-build team. “By taking the time together to carefully plan a facility which will inevitably be a tool for the expansion of what is already an incredible program, this design-build process has allowed Rhino Baseball to ensure that what was being designed would meet their needs as well as overall budget,” said Chad Charon. When complete, the 50,000 square-foot state of the art facility, designed and built by PBS, will include