Churchill Architectural, pc

06/26/2026

Why We Do Pro Bono Work

Some of the most meaningful projects we’ve worked on have not been our largest projects.

They’ve been projects for nonprofit organizations, community groups, and emergency service providers working to improve the communities they serve.

Over the years, Churchill Architectural has donated professional services to organizations that otherwise may not have had access to architectural expertise during the early stages of planning and fundraising.

Projects like EAVES, Branches Christian Retreat, and Tri-Community Ambulance Service are reminders that architecture isn’t only about buildings.

It’s about helping organizations create spaces that support their mission and serve people.

Not every worthwhile project has a large budget.

Sometimes a little professional guidance can help move an important idea one step closer to reality.

That’s one reason we continue to support community-focused projects through pro bono service and our commitment to the Plus One program.

06/24/2026

The Most Expensive Mistake

One of the most expensive mistakes I see building owners make is waiting too long to talk to an architect.

I don’t mean after construction starts.

I mean before they buy land.

Before they commit to a building layout.

Before they decide how much space they need.

Before they assume a project will work.

I’ve seen sites with zoning restrictions, wetlands, access limitations, utility issues, and code challenges that completely changed what could be built.

A few hours of planning early in a project can save months of frustration later.

In some cases, I’ve even advised clients not to purchase a property because it wasn’t the right fit for their goals.

Sometimes the best decision is the one that prevents a problem before it starts.

06/18/2026

The Problem with Toothpick Columns

One of the quickest ways to make a building feel wrong is to get the proportions wrong.

Most people won’t be able to tell you exactly why something feels off.

They just know it does.

Take residential columns as an example. You’ve probably seen homes with massive roofs supported by columns that look too thin for the job. The house may have expensive materials and quality construction, but something still feels out of balance.

Architecture is built on relationships.

The relationship between a column and a roof.
A window and a wall.
A building and its surroundings.

When those relationships are out of proportion, people notice, even if they can’t explain why.

Good proportion isn’t about making things fancy. It’s about making things feel right.

That’s one of the reasons architects spend so much time studying scale, massing, and proportion. The details matter because the experience matters.

06/16/2026

Why I Touch Buildings

Whenever I visit a historic or unique building, I almost always find myself touching the places most people don’t.

I’ve done it in Frank Lloyd Wright houses, old cathedrals, historic buildings, and places all over the world.

It’s not because I’m checking the material or construction.

It’s because it creates a connection.

I think about the architect who designed it, the craftspeople who built it, and the generations of people who have used that space before me.

Buildings tell stories.

Some of those stories can still be felt decades or even centuries later.

That’s one of the things I love most about architecture. A building can outlive all of us and still continue to influence how people feel, think, and interact with the world around them.

Maybe that’s why I’ve always been fascinated by places that stand the test of time.

06/11/2026

Build the Building on Paper First

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in nearly three decades of architecture and construction is simple:

It’s much cheaper to erase a line on paper than tear out a wall in the field.

That’s why we spend so much time planning, reviewing, revising, and testing ideas before construction begins.

Clients sometimes wonder why architects ask so many questions.

The answer is that every decision affects something else.

A change in one area can affect structure, code compliance, accessibility, construction cost, schedule, or long-term functionality.

The goal is to build the building on paper before the shovel hits the ground.

No project is ever perfect, and there will always be unforeseen conditions, but careful planning helps reduce surprises and creates better outcomes for everyone involved.

06/09/2026

Good Architecture Is a Feeling

For years, I’ve been asked what makes a building successful.

Some people focus on style. Others focus on cost, materials, or square footage. Those things all matter, but I’ve come to believe that good architecture is ultimately a feeling.

People know when a space feels right, even if they cannot always explain why.

It’s the sense that a building belongs, supports its purpose, and connects with the people who use it. It’s why some spaces feel welcoming, timeless, inspiring, or comfortable, while others never quite feel right.

That feeling doesn’t happen by accident. It’s created through thoughtful design, sound construction, proportion, context, and craftsmanship.

As architects, we spend a lot of time thinking about drawings, details, and specifications. But the goal isn’t the drawing. The goal is the experience people have when they walk through the door.

What are some buildings or spaces that have left a lasting impression on you? This is one of mine

05/14/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jim-churchill-aia-ncarb-1b555917_churchillarchitectural-industrialarchitecture-ugcPost-7460739880931938305-I-lR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAN2ftkBShFoJMbJGVJLEDaTmbUTq8gcl5M

Some of the strongest projects are built on long term relationships. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Derrick Corporation for the past 17 years as an architect and designer, with that relationship continuing through the creation of Churchill Architectural in 2014. Over the years, we’ve coll...

05/10/2026

This is the moment a project starts to feel real.

From sketches and models to structure on site — you can finally read the architecture in full scale.

The massing, rooflines, and porch are beginning to take shape.

04/09/2026

04/07/2026

Architecture rarely begins with a finished drawing.

Most projects start exactly like this — trace paper, quick sketches, and testing ideas until the right concept emerges.

Each layer explores something different: roof lines, proportions, and how an addition connects back to the original home.

Eventually the idea reveals itself.

If you’re thinking about an addition, this is where the process starts.

https://youtu.be/mR6QR3pzuT0?si=jqspCdSptJkTQwT5