Nonprofit architecture firm remodels Lakeside office
The 100 Fold Studio team, a nonprofit architecture firm, is nearing the end of its fundraising and construction project to finish remodeling its home base in Lakeside.
The Christian-based firm, founded by John and Samantha Hudson in 2010, focuses mainly on pro-bono architecture designs and construction projects in underdeveloped foreign communities, but this summer they’ve switched gears to work on improving their own studio.
Working in partnership with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), the organization bought the office on the YWAM campus in Lakeside, planning to harness the skills of their summer architecture interns to complete most of the construction on a modest budget.
The renovation project includes some electrical and plumbing work, a conference room expansion, kitchenette, hospitality area, coffee bar and a covered stairwell and entryway leading to the second floor.
The refurbished building will provide extra space for events, conferences and multi-week programs hosted by the organization, and will connect the studio’s office space with upstairs classrooms.
Construction began in May, according to Hudson, and as with most of the buildings they design, she and her husband have worked to expedite the process; they aim to have the project funded by the end of July and completed by August 17.
The original $16,000 budget has come up short, after the price of building materials increased since they first got their estimates in January.
The organization operates on donations and grant funding to build everything from schools to community resource centers all over the world, and Hudson said they are now relying on the community to finish raising the $6,000 still needed to complete their own project.
Much of the work on the building so far was done on donated time by local businesses and volunteers, including the 10 architecture students and graduates participating in the organization’s Summer Studio Program.
The firm has worked in communities in Central America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, but its handprints are also evident in its home state of Montana.
100 Fold Studio recently partnered with Stillwater Christian School in Kalispell to develop a lobby and classroom addition.
They also helped Fresh Life Church open its Missoula branch in time for Easter in 2013, designed the recording studio on the YWAM campus and have played a part in design work for various other churches around the valley.
Hudson said she and her husband founded the firm upon discovering a gap in the architecture community for architects seeking to combine their trade with a desire to serve while seeking or maintaining their architecture licenses.
“We did this so that if other people have a call to share the gospel, they can still be accredited and licensed,” she said.
She added that, as far as she knows, 100 Fold Studio boasts the status as the only accredited faith-based architecture firm in the nation.
The firm consists of seven full-time architects and five interns. Both employees and interns of 100 Fold Studio gain the chance to pursue their careers in architecture while fulfilling a calling toward charity work and ministry.
“This space will help us provide more exposure for our work to young architects and professionals, and we will challenge those who attended to use their lives and vocation to serve others,” Hudson said.
For more information or to donate to the 100 Fold Studio renovation project, visit http://100foldstudio.org/donate.php.
Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.