Leon Williams Contractors can help you answer your calling

Leon Williams Contractors has been building state-of-the-art houses of worship for more than two decades.

Knoxville church construction and expansionis one of our specialties, and we can help church leaders navigate the many aspects of building a new church. One question we can help answer: Should a church renovate or build a brand new worship facility?

There are many considerations and variables to church construction. What’s the size of your congregation? Do you want to add a large fellowship hall or merely expand your sanctuary or auditorium? Here are some basic considerations to get you started.

1. Space constraints.What are the limitations of your current space? Sometimes there is wasted or underutilized space that could be utilized for your expansion purposes.
2. What’s your congregation’s calling?If you have ambitious plans to expand your ministry, such as offering daycare or other children’s services, then a new building might be the best option.
3. How old is your current worship space?If your HVAC system is undersized or outdated, that could also be a sign it’s time to move the flock, because HVAC upgrades can be disruptive and expensive. If your church was built prior to the 1970s, then you may also encounter asbestos or other toxic materials that need to be encapsulated or removed. That’s another substantial cost.
4. Affordability.Take a hard look at your church finances. Can the church afford a new building, or will a few cosmetic and internal design changes meet your needs for now? You don’t want to saddle your congregation with a large construction loan payoff or mortgage if you aren’t absolutely certain it’s within budget.
5. Desired design.Your preferred design and layout could influence how much space you need. If it can be accommodated within your existing building, or with a reasonable expansion, that might be the best route to follow.

We can make any number of recommendations, but ultimately, it’s up to church leaders and members to make the tough choice of whether to rebuild, remodel or expand a church. Be prayerful and thoughtful and you’ll make the right choice.

Contact Leon Williams Contractorsfor more information on how to answer your calling.

Our design-build process leads to health facilities that soothe and cure

Even in relatively benign settings, health care consumers can be frightened and homesick. Leon Williams Contractors can make sure your clinic renovation or constructionis patient-centered and puts them at ease. Design, colors and flow plans are all important aspects of healthcare facility design.

Here are some things to keep in mind as we lead your design-build process for Knoxville-area medical facilities.

1. Facetime is key.All health care facilities should be designed in such a way that doctors, patients, advocates and family members can interact in a comfortable setting. This can ease anxiety and empower patients to participate in their health care outcomes.
2. Streamline spaces.We can help ensure your medical facility — ranging from eye clinics to dental clinics and primary-care offices — has ample storage to reduce clutter. Square footage is at a premium, so it’s important to accommodate space for medical devices and equipment. Streamlining your space puts patients even more at ease. Medical equipment should have a home to avoid being a distraction or cluttering up free space.
3. Make it personal.Generic, clinical and antiseptic medical spaces can increase stress. Allow patients and family members to personalize their space with ample room for books, clothes, personal effects and ports for tablets and smartphones. Consider speakers so patients can stream their favorite music while waiting for or undergoing a procedure.
4. Bring family together.Make sure waiting rooms have ample space for families, and consider offering a portioned space for private discussion. Make a space for water coffee and snacks.
5. Colors count.Choose hues with care. You don’t want a patient facing a stark or overly bright wall. Facilities that cater to children should offer more varied and brighter colors. Various shades of blue can be calming. Artwork can also add great accents, but choose accordingly for the context.

If you are a healthcare provider, your primary concern should be providing your patients the highest level of care. Our health facility design-build process can help guide you to the perfect ambiance and environment for doing so. Contact usfor more information.

Restaurant design changes as East Tennessee appetites persist

Americans love to eat. They especially love eating at restaurants. Americans now spend more money each year dining out than they do preparing their own meals at home.

This provides a wealth of opportunities in the Knoxville area – for food suppliers, beverage companies and restaurateurs big and small. It creates opportunities for Leon Williams Contractors, too. Our restaurant design-build serviceshave been used by franchises and for higher-end independent restaurants, too. But whether you are a franchise operator or building the private restaurant of your dreams, you need to stay on top of ever-changing American dining habits and demands. Now that 2018 is halfway done, here’s a quick look at four restaurant trends that will likely drive design-build approaches. Some may be fleeting, but some are likely here to stay.

Pickup and delivery:It can be an annoyance when circling a packed parking lot to see spots reserved for “pick-up” customers. But those customers are becoming the lifeblood of an industry eager to keep pace with burgeoning meal-delivery services. Restaurant designs will increasingly add parking and integrate more pickup stations, to serve both third-party delivery companies as well as those who want to pop in and out with a full meal to take home.

Noise reduction:Decibel readings at some restaurantsactually enter the harmful range, and it’s a common complaint YOU HAVE TO YELL AT YOUR DINING COMPANIONS to engage in even sporadic conversation. Add a mediocre jazz trio, and you might as well resort to sign language or semaphore. The reasons vary, as do the solutions. In a move toward sleeker restaurants, designers have axed drapes, luxurious upholsteries and carpeting that used to absorb sound. Tile, steel and blonde wood, not so much. As the problem persists, expect restaurant design to include softer wall coverings, acoustical tile and carpets.

Local, local, local:Be it in appearance or on the menu, diners want a reflection of their local culture and cuisine in their favorite eateries. We’re not talking about country kitsch-laden walls a la Cracker Barrel. We mean more along the lines of repurposed native wood, or displays by local artists or photographers. Budding restaurateurs may consider display cases of local products offered on the menu: Think Benton’s bacon, Blackberry Farm baguettes, or local honey. People want to feel a local connection to their food.

Tabletop payment:More restaurants are going to try to more subtly incorporate those tabletop terminals into their décor. They are rather cumbersome to some diners, but many appreciate there is no need to give up their credit card to a stranger for five minutes. They can also be used to distract kids with games and leave reviews, and as a glance at any Yelp account will show, people love to leave reviews. Almost as much as they enjoy dining out.

Ultimately, you decide how you want your restaurant to sound, feel and operate. We can guide, and be guided, every step of the way. Contact Leon Williams Contractorstoday for the best restaurant design-build options in East Tennessee.