Saint Gerard Majella ~ New Classroom Building & Narthex Addition

The project consists of a school building addition and remodeling, narthex addition to church building, and related sitework. The existing 1-story west wing of the school was first demolished, and in its place a 3-story school addition was constructed. The addition contains a new cafeteria, kitchen, administrative offices, classrooms, toilets, mechanical rooms and maintenance facilities. The remodeled area turned the old cafeteria and kitchen into a new library and computer lab.

The church addition includes a more generous narthex area, adoration chapel, toilet rooms and janitor’s closet. A curved building facade provides a buffer space between the new addition and the parking lot, and helps to gather people from multiple directions upon arrival. The curved copper canopy has a chamfered edge to compliment the existing edge configuration of the original church roof. Display niches and cases were included to highlight artwork and sculptures from the Pastor’s private art collection.

The site incorporates a new loop drive around the school and pervious asphalt pavement to negate the need for storm water detention.