University Baptist Church is located along Highland Road, a major thoroughfare into the nearby LSU campus. At one time, the Church enjoyed a large and energetic college ministry combined with a vibrant young adult department, but as the membership aged the LSU connection weakened. The facilities are well maintained but have become somewhat dated and are insufficient to support the Church’s current mission, ministry, and outreach efforts.

The design team was asked to develop a master plan that would provide the Church with the resources required to support its renewed focus on reaching young families and college students, increase its visibility along Highland, as well as reconnect with the surrounding neighborhood. The master plan proposes a new Family Life Center, an enlarged Child Development Center, a new Library, a more prominent College Department with coffee shop, and an overall upgrade to the educational facilities. Site improvements include a major landscape and signage feature along Highland, increased parking set within the existing trees, a walking trail, and a neighborhood softball field.