KILO Architects

KILO Architects KILO is a modern consultancy practice providing Architect and Management services to our clients.

Designing a More Welcoming Church EntranceA church entrance shapes how people feel before they even step inside. Althoug...
10/09/2026

Designing a More Welcoming Church Entrance

A church entrance shapes how people feel before they even step inside. Although The Bear was completed in 2024, internal works to the church are still ongoing and this concept image explores how the entrance could be further enhanced to create an even stronger sense of welcome.

For many visitors, arriving at a church is a moment filled with uncertainty. A clear, inviting entrance helps remove that hesitation. It signals openness, care, and belonging. It tells people they’re expected, valued, and part of the story.

This visual shows how small, achievable interventions can transform the arrival experience:

• Planting adds warmth, softness, and life to the threshold
• Lighting improves comfort and creates a sense of safety in the evenings
• Clear arrival cues help newcomers know exactly where to go
• Strong visual identity reinforces the church’s mission and character
• Thoughtful detailing makes the entrance feel active, cared for, and ready to welcome

A welcoming entrance isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about ministry. It supports the church’s mission by making arrival intuitive, comfortable, and inviting for everyone who comes through the doors.

At KILO, we help churches explore how their existing buildings can better express welcome, identity, and community through thoughtful, practical design improvements.

KILO is pleased to have submitted the planning application for Ashurst Drive Baptist Church. The proposal introduces a m...
02/09/2026

KILO is pleased to have submitted the planning application for Ashurst Drive Baptist Church. The proposal introduces a more welcoming entrance, improved facilities, and flexible spaces designed to support worship, community activities, and the growing needs of the congregation.

This marks an important step in helping the church strengthen its role in the local community and ensure the building continues to serve people well into the future.

Many churches have rooms, halls, corners, and circulation areas that sit quiet for most of the week. Sometimes these spa...
06/08/2026

Many churches have rooms, halls, corners, and circulation areas that sit quiet for most of the week. Sometimes these spaces feel too small or outdated to be useful. But with thoughtful design, underused areas can become valuable parts of a church building, supporting ministry, community life, and new opportunities.

Unlocking this potential doesn’t always require major construction, often it begins with re‑imagining what the building can do.

1. Understand how your building is used
Mapping out when spaces are used (and when they aren’t) often reveals hidden potential.

2. Create opportunities for funding
New uses can open doors to grants, partnerships, and community‑led initiatives.

3. Re‑imagine redundant spaces
Areas that feel awkward or outdated can become places of welcome, support, and connection.

4. Explore different options
Underused spaces can support:
• a community café run by volunteers
• co‑working spaces for freelancers
• rooms for events, training, and support groups
• rentable spaces that generate sustainable income
• quiet areas for pastoral care or prayer

These uses help churches serve people throughout the week, not just on Sundays.

5. Become a centre of the community
Flexible, welcoming buildings strengthen a church’s role at the heart of local life.

At KILO, we help churches recognise the potential already within their buildings, turning quiet corners into spaces that support ministry, hospitality, and everyday community life.

The images show how a vacant chapel can be re‑imagined with activity rooms, co‑working areas, a community café, and social spaces. These uses create funding opportunities, open possibilities in redundant buildings, and offer practical, sustainable ways to serve local communities.

By shaping spaces for events, training, co‑working, and community activities, churches can generate income while strengthening their role as a centre of local life.

Creating Spaces That Serve Churches and Their CommunitiesChurch buildings hold history, identity, and moments of worship...
23/07/2026

Creating Spaces That Serve Churches and Their Communities

Church buildings hold history, identity, and moments of worship and community. Thoughtful design helps them keep serving both mission and neighbourhood life in a changing world. When we shape spaces intentionally, we strengthen not just the building, but the life that happens inside it.

1. Designing with purpose
Great projects start with mission. The aim isn’t just to “update the building” — it’s to create spaces that support worship, hospitality, outreach, and connection.

2. Flexible, multifunctional spaces
Adaptable rooms can host toddler groups, foodbanks, prayer meetings, youth work, and community partners. Flexibility lets churches serve more people without expanding their footprint.

3. Accessibility for everyone
Accessibility is hospitality. Step‑free entrances, clear circulation, accessible toilets, and good lighting help people feel confident, welcome, and included.

4. Strengthening community partnerships
Spaces designed for shared use make collaboration natural. A welcoming entrance or a well‑placed meeting room can support long‑term relationships with charities, youth organisations, and volunteer groups.

5. Honouring heritage while embracing the future
Older buildings come with character. Sensitive design preserves what matters while adapting spaces for modern needs. Heritage and mission can strengthen each other.

Churches are more than buildings — they are places of worship, refuge, support, and belonging. When their spaces work well, ministry grows and new opportunities open.

At KILO, we help churches create buildings that serve people all week long.

Small Church. Big VisionWe have the privilege of working with a church team in South London that has a bold vision to se...
09/07/2026

Small Church. Big Vision

We have the privilege of working with a church team in South London that has a bold vision to serve its local community and enrich its congregation through the Gospel.

The existing church was constructed in the 1860s in response to a growing number of people who were embracing the good news being preached by the vicar at that time. This project continues that legacy, reimagining the church campus for a new generation while remaining rooted in its original mission of faith, service, and community impact.

The Vision

1. Create a new, contemporary church space for worship, prayer, and community gathering.
2. Provide dedicated spaces that enable the church to offer therapeutic care and wellbeing services to the wider community.
3. Incorporate sustainable income-generating opportunities to support the long-term mission and stewardship of the site.
4. Deliver affordable housing in an area experiencing a significant shortage of accessible homes.

KILO has listened carefully to the needs, aspirations, and vision of the church team and developed an initial concept that maximises the site's potential. By combining spaces for worship, care, housing, and sustainable enterprise, the scheme seeks to create a lasting legacy that serves both the congregation and the wider neighbourhood for generations to come.

We are now working towards a future community consultation to hear the views of the local people.

KILO has submitted a planning application for the conversion of the first floor of a church in East London into five sup...
02/07/2026

KILO has submitted a planning application for the conversion of the first floor of a church in East London into five supported‑housing bedrooms with communal living space. With grant funding secured to take this existing community space through planning, we are pleased to be working in partnership with NewWay Project to deliver much‑needed supported accommodation.

The team at NewWay Project acted quickly and collaboratively — moving from first discussions to a full planning submission in a very short timeframe. A strong partnership driving meaningful progress.

5 Ways Churches Can Improve Accessibility in Older BuildingsEvery church wants to be a place where everyone feels welcom...
25/06/2026

5 Ways Churches Can Improve Accessibility in Older Buildings

Every church wants to be a place where everyone feels welcome. But many older buildings weren’t designed with modern accessibility needs in mind. Here are five simple, meaningful steps churches can take to make their spaces more open, inclusive, and supportive for all who come through the doors:

1️⃣ Create a welcoming, step‑free entrance
A gentle ramp or improved pathway can make it easier for wheelchair users, older members, and families with buggies to enter without barriers.

2️⃣ Make movement inside the church easier
Wider doorways, clearer routes, and removing small steps help people move freely and safely around the building.

3️⃣ Provide an accessible toilet close to the main worship space
This small change can make a huge difference to dignity, comfort, and confidence for many visitors.

4️⃣ Improve lighting and signage
Bright, even lighting and clear, high‑contrast signs support those with visual impairments and help newcomers feel at ease.

5️⃣ Ensure hearing support is available
A well‑maintained hearing loop or assistive‑listening system helps everyone fully participate in worship, teaching, and community life.

At KILO, we are passionate about helping churches care for their buildings so they can continue to serve their communities with warmth, hospitality, and accessibility.

Every church wants to be a place where everyone feels welcome. But many older buildings weren’t designed with modern acc...
25/06/2026

Every church wants to be a place where everyone feels welcome. But many older buildings weren’t designed with modern accessibility needs in mind. Here are five simple, meaningful steps churches can take to make their spaces more open, inclusive, and supportive for all who come through the doors:

1️⃣ Create a welcoming, step‑free entrance
A gentle ramp or improved pathway can make it easier for wheelchair users, older members, and families with buggies to enter without barriers.

2️⃣ Make movement inside the church easier
Wider doorways, clearer routes, and removing small steps help people move freely and safely around the building.

3️⃣ Provide an accessible toilet close to the main worship space
This small change can make a huge difference to dignity, comfort, and confidence for many visitors.

4️⃣ Improve lighting and signage
Bright, even lighting and clear, high‑contrast signs support those with visual impairments and help newcomers feel at ease.

5️⃣ Ensure hearing support is available
A well‑maintained hearing loop or assistive‑listening system helps everyone fully participate in worship, teaching, and community life.

At KILO, we are passionate about helping churches care for their buildings so they can continue to serve their communities with warmth, hospitality, and accessibility.

🌟KILO has submitted a planning application for the modernisation and improvement of the locally listed chapel at Cottage...
16/01/2026

🌟KILO has submitted a planning application for the modernisation and improvement of the locally listed chapel at Cottage Green, on behalf of The Well Church in South East London.

The proposal outlines a sensitive and future-focused transformation of this redundant chapel into a multi-purpose community hub, supporting both church activities and wider community use.

The vision is to create:

👉 An accessible, welcoming space for local residents
👉 A community hospitality area
👉 A supportive environment for community start-ups and grassroots initiatives
👉 A flexible venue for gatherings, creativity, and collaboration

This marks an exciting step in renewing a much-loved building for contemporary community life.

💫We look forward to engaging with partners, neighbours, and stakeholders as the project progresses and as the church fundraises for the next phase of the project.

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