Shared Solutions
Builder expertise and Varco Pruden engineering come together to turn custom concepts into practical building solutions.
Project Overview
Creating a facility that serves multiple groups required balancing flexibility, scheduling and functional design. The building needed to support education, recreation and community programming without conflict.
Through coordinated planning and adaptable design, the team delivered a space that transitions seamlessly between uses. The result is a facility that remains active throughout the week while supporting students and the broader community in meaningful ways.
VP Builder
DJ Construction Co., Inc.
Construction Type
Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings
Location
Elkhart, IN
Industry
Education,
Civic & Community,
Places of Worship
Square Footage
55,519
Completed
2022
Building a business advantage
Cost Control
Our integrated systems help lower construction and operating costs over the building lifecycle.
Buildings That Perform
Long-term weather resistance, simplified maintenance and coordinated performance across the entire building envelope.
Lifeline Ministries HUB
A building that stays in motion
Most buildings are designed around a single purpose. This one was designed around a schedule.
From the start, The HUB in Elkhart, IN, was expected to serve more than one group. During the day, it functions as a charter school. After school, it becomes a place for students to study, connect and stay engaged. On Sundays, it supports church services.
That kind of overlap doesn’t leave room for rigid design. It requires a building that can shift easily without losing its sense of order.
Working with DJ Construction Co., Inc., a Varco Pruden™ Builder, the project team approached the facility with that flexibility in mind, creating a structure that supports constant use without feeling overbuilt or overcomplicated.
Designed around daily use
At 55,519 square feet, the building brings together a range of spaces that support both structured learning and informal activity.
The gymnasium anchors the facility, offering approximately 17,000 square feet of space with multiple courts for basketball, volleyball, pickleball and indoor soccer. With both hardwood and rubber flooring, the space adapts to different types of play and programming without requiring modification.
Around it, nearly 37,000 square feet of classroom and office space support academic and administrative functions. These areas are designed to transition easily between users, allowing the charter school to operate during the day while after-school programs take over in the evening.
Additional features, including a commercial kitchen, recording studio and dedicated activity spaces, expand what the building can offer. Students can move from tutoring to hands-on learning to recreation without leaving the facility.
That variety is intentional. The goal wasn’t just to provide space, but to create options.
Adjusting in real time
Midway through construction, the project took an unexpected turn.
The layout of the second floor needed to be reconfigured to better support the charter school’s needs. Changes at that stage can often lead to delays or compromises. Here, the team treated it as part of the process.
Working collaboratively, DJ Construction and Varco Pruden adjusted the design while maintaining the overall schedule. Structural systems allowed for the flexibility needed to accommodate those changes without requiring a complete redesign.
That ability to adapt without losing momentum reflects a different way of approaching projects. Instead of locking in decisions early and working around them, the team stayed responsive as needs evolved.
The result is a building that better aligns with how it is used.
Details that support the experience
While flexibility drives the layout, the building’s systems support its long-term performance.
The SSR™ Roof System provides durability and weather resistance, helping protect the structure through year-round use. Vee Rib™ wall panels create a consistent exterior that is both durable and straightforward to maintain.
At the front of the building, the entrance introduces a different layer of design.
Unique angles and dimensions shape the entry, creating a visual identity while still supporting circulation and access. It’s a moment that signals the building’s purpose without relying on excess.
Inside, circulation paths are clear and direct, allowing different groups to move through the building without interfering with each other. This is especially important in a facility that operates across multiple schedules and user types.
Every element works toward the same goal: make the building easy to use, no matter who is inside.
A space that reflects its community
The HUB was created as part of Lifeline Ministries’ broader effort to support students beyond the classroom.
The organization partners with local schools to provide tutoring, internships and skills training for students from first through 12th grade. The building becomes a physical extension of that mission—a place where those programs can happen consistently and effectively.
And it shows in how the space is used.
From early morning through evening programming and into weekend services, the building remains active. It supports structured learning, open recreation and community gatherings without needing to reset between uses.
Recognized as a 2024 Hall of Fame winner in the School category, the project reflects a clear outcome: a facility that adapts to the people it serves.
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