Survival of an old historic 1914 gothic revival church in Richmond VA becomes the next great project that Team IONIC will be engaged in.
Ionic Dezign Studios and
WHHA will join forces to tackle this aging giant as it suffers from much neglect and imposing elements of nature as so many older structures do. Listed in Style magazine earlier this year as one of the nine most desired structures to save in Richmond has found its savior. St. Bridget School has purchased the structure with the intentions of converting it to a middle school.
Richmond Times Dispatch
The Nine Most Endangered Places in Richmond
Currently the sanctuary has a collapsing roof that the previous owner just didn't have the funds to maintain and repair. The beautiful architecture will be preserved as the school intends on seeking historic tax credits. The original part of the structure was built in 1914 while the extension was added in the 1960s.
Our scope of work will be challenged with creating a new arrival entryway that complements the structure while inviting the students. The main entry as well as a drop off entry that will feed directly into the cafeteria for holding before classes begin. Smaller church classes will be enlarged by removing dividing walls to increase classroom capacity as well as bringing up all the mechanical services.
The cafeteria will get an overhaul while the sanctuary will be converted to a performance hall. The team hopes to maintain as much of the history of the structure while infusing some liveliness with color to inspire the new middle school residents. This is a great project that infuses school, church and historic preservation all in one. Schedule is aggressive but certainly manageable as the hopes are to have the project out to bid and permits before the end of the year.
Stay tuned for further updates.
D. Eugene Thompson, AIA
Ionic DeZign Studios + WHHA
"Creating places and spaces that enrich the lives of those that use them."
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