First West

Paragon 360 was contracted in 2020 by First West Monroe, LA for a for a large-scale, multi-phased, multi-year renovation project that would include strategic planning and master planning services, a renovation of the 2,000-seat sanctuary, Feazel chapel, and control rooms along with a redesigned front entrance and children’s spaces. The pandemic slowed the progress over a year, but a large majority of the projects have been completed as of mid-2024. Campus planning included leading the church staff through strategic planning exercises such as developing guiding principles, identifying key goals, connectivity, excitement and removing facility barriers to growth.

To accomplish the church’s strategic goals, one of the largest pieces of the project was a complete renovation of the main Worship Center. This would include updating the look and feel of the space to be warm, fresh, and inviting. It included a complete redesign of the main platform. This was not just an aesthetics renovation but would also include updating AVL systems to current technology, reimagining the churches choir loft, choir entrance, and back of house. It would also include relocating the baptistery for better connection with the congregation. Paragon was well equipped for the challenge and was able to deliver the work as a turnkey project.

The technology upgrades were extensive and incorporated ReveLux LED walls to allow video to drive the overall platform aesthetic. Audio systems included a re-deployment of the existing PA system to better utilize what they had and save the church significant money. This re-design of the audio system improved performance and was well received by the churches media team and made the system rider compliant for guest artists. Paragon provided new Allen & Heath mixing systems for FOH and Broadcast with integrated Waves systems. The design incorporated personal mixers for platform musicians via the (ME-1) system and new wireless microphones, and in-ear monitor systems with custom shelving for charging and staging equipment. Paragon also provided its custom, signature close proximity choir monitor solution for an improved choir experience. Extensive acoustical work was done throughout the space that added to the aesthetics of the space.

Video systems included updating all displays in the room to Revelux LED walls (2 – IMAG, 2 – Wide Aspect) and three new ReveLux confidence monitors. Paragon updated the entire video control room to a 4K capable system with new switching and routing via Ross Ultrix. The new camera package included manned cameras (Panasonic 3900), wireless camera, jib camera, and PTZs (Panasonic UE-150). The new control room layout included custom furniture and a remote rack room for noise control.

Lighting systems included a complete replacement of the entire platform lighting system to LED with key lighting replaced with white light fixtures (Chauvet E260, 3500K), and a moving light package of (20) (Rogue 3X Wash, 10 Artiste DaVinci, 2 Era 600). The existing dimmer infrastructure was replaced with DMX relays. The project incorporated existing house lighting that will be replaced in a future phase. All custom fabricated scenic and architectural elements incorporated LED lighting.

Paragon provided its signature, custom fabricated scenic and architectural elements throughout the stage space and audience areas, greatly expediting the time it took to flip the sanctuary. This includes a redesigned, modular choir loft to provide better entrance and exit access and allowed us to create a back of house area under choir loft for staging and entrance at front center of choir loft. We were able to create SL and SR center platform entrances and large doors SL and SR for moving equipment and instruments easily to new back of house area for storage. The baptistery was relocated to a new position, stage right allowing it to be closer to and more accessible to the congregation. Illuminated columns, screen surrounds, crosses, custom matching front-of-stage facades and a drum enclosure were designed, built and installed by Paragon.

One of the other goals for the project was the renovation of Feazel Chapel. The objective was to tie the aesthetics of the Feazel space into the Worship Center while maintaining the classic feel of a small chapel. This space was the first of the multi-phased project and was completed in 2023. All of the wall coverings on the platform were fabricated, modular architectural elements with integrated LED lighting that was designed, fabricated and installed by Paragon 360. The side walls were lined with acoustical material that helped add to the aesthetics of the space.

All of the AVL technology was replaced to provide excellence and flexibility. Audio systems included a new (Danley) PA system with improved coverage and sight lines that were custom colored to match architectural finishes controlled with new (Allen and Heath) mixing systems. In addition, new wireless microphone systems were provided. The video systems included two new Revelux 98” monitors for video displays, a small video control system linked to the main control room and (2) (Panasonic UE-150) PTZ cameras. Lighting systems incorporated replacing the entire platform lighting system with LED using (Chauvet E260, 3500K) as the new key light fixtures. Existing dimmer infrastructure was replaced with DMX relays. All house lighting was replaced with LED units while all custom fabricated architectural elements incorporated LED lighting.

Paragon provided master planning and architectural design services in coordination with its partner, Torgerson Design Partners. TDP handled the architectural study, concepting for the front entrance and code study on the project. Paragon and TDP worked together studying existing conditions and identifying opportunities and challenges. The team developed campus plans that incorporated key areas and goals, determined rough budgetary numbers for each area, and aligned scope and budgets to develop a phased approach to the overall plan.

The last and final phase will be the renovation of the main entrance and renovations to the Children’s space. The goals for the front entrance would be to improve the first-time guest experience by clearly defining the “front door.” The space will also better connect Feazel Chapel, the Children’s space, and the Worship Center for better traffic flow. In the Children’s Ministry, the goal is to centralize classrooms for convenience, improve security and drop-off/pickup and enhance theming to provide excitement. These two projects were left to the last because they required the biggest displacement and required the most social capital. The other spaces being renovated first provided the “win” and support needed for future projects.