Following a master plan, Christner worked with Holy Redeemer to create a new parish center and renovate their historic 1909 school. Previously, the school and parish were physically disconnected, which created an environment that lacked unity of vision and purpose. We created the Parish Commons as a vibrant hub of activity. It incorporates new conference space, administrative offices, a library and a gymnasium. We revamped the original school building to meet modern classroom standards and ADA accessibility requirements.
Size: 42,000 sf
Status: Completed 2004
Awards: 2006 Webster Groves Award of Excellence for Architecture
Designers created a facility that not only serves the school, but the entire parish. It is used by the parish council, community organizations and as a venue for church-sponsored events.
Christner designed the new addition (left) to complement the character of the historic school building (right) with a brick and limestone exterior.
We located the main student entrance adjacent to the administrative offices, allowing direct supervision of student flow.
We inserted a new covered link between the Church and Parish Commons. It allows for unencumbered circulation between the two, especially for parishioners in wheelchairs.
One way we achieved the goal of unifying parish and school was through a continuous path that links the Church next door with the gym and meeting rooms.
We mimicked the exterior façade through the vaulted ceiling in the daylit library.
The renovated building was designed to maintain one class per grade level. This ensures one-on-one student attention, and allows Holy Redeemer to stay true to their neighborhood school roots.
Our architects took care when designing the gym to incorporate interior and exterior acoustic controls. This ensures quiet in the adjacent library and offices.
