First Baptist Church Sanctuary & Music Suite - Bentonville, AR
This eight million dollar facility is currently being constructed in Bentonville, Arkansas.
In order to avoid exposed columns in the sanctuary, four 7'-0" deep joist girders and a
three foot deep wide flange beam are the major support members for the roof. Catwalks to
access the lighting and sound system extend throughout the ceiling space above the sanctuary.
The decision was made to hang the catwalks from the roof structure in order to avoid
additional columns.
Exposed columns to support the curved balcony were also not allowed in the sanctuary.
Since the balcony projects as much as eighteen feet into the sanctuary, wide flange
beams were designed as support members for the balcony. Each balcony column along the
perimeter wall is anchored to a massive spread footing which acts as a counterweight to
keep the balcony from overturning.
Building construction began in November of 1999 and will be completed in May of 2001.
