Parish Center designed by domusstudio architecture dedicated 9/11

Sept. 20, 2011 - PRLog -- Sept. 11, 2011 marked a somber anniversary, but it also signifies a new beginning at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, where a beautiful new Parish Center opened for the first time at the Carlsbad campus.

Hundreds turned out to witness the blessing of the building by Bishop Robert Brom and Father Don Coleman and to tour the 18,443-square-foot, two-story structure where religious education, parish social events and many other activities will be held.

“The new, multi-purpose Parish Center for St. Elizabeth Seton is part of a church master plan we designed nearly 20 years ago to accommodate a growing congregation,” said Wayne Holtan, AIA, and domusstudio architecture principal in charge of the project. “Maximizing the space available and matching the award-winning Sanctuary built in 1994, the new Parish Center contributes to a cohesive campus community.”

Located across the courtyard, but also within a few feet of some portions of St. Elizabeth Seton’s Sanctuary, the Parish Center looks today like it has always been a part of the church campus. A new courtyard coffee kiosk also blends well with the main church structures and provides more opportunity for fellowship among parishioners.

On Dedication Day at the St. Elizabeth Seton, parishioners gathered in the courtyard in anticipation of the blessing by the bishop.

“It’s a special day for a beautiful facility,” said church usher and Capital Campaign Committee member Gene Villinski. He had been allowed a sneak peek of the facilities and described some of the building’s assets, including a multitude of rooms and meeting spaces, a great media system and the beautiful fireplace setting just outside the center’s 4,630-square-foot social hall.  

Parishioner Amy Bozek, a mechanical engineer, said she appreciates how well domusstudio designed the trellis-covered wheelchair ramps, making them a non-invasive part of the architecture, as opposed to an after-thought. She also was impressed with the openness of the parish center’s social hall, with its soaring ceiling.

According to domusstudio’s Holtan, the Parish Center features a Southern California mission style architecture with window shapes and sizes, colonnades, roof design and trellis work all being similar to the Sanctuary. Also designed by domusstudio, the Sanctuary earned three Orchids and the prestigious Grand Orchid award from the San Diego Architectural Foundation in 1997. The building also earned a citation from the San Diego chapter of the American Institute of Architects that same year.

“I think we have another winner here,” said parishioner Pete Kruse during his dedication day remarks. Kruse’s company, Kruse Development Services Group, Inc., served as project manager for the Parish Center on behalf of the Diocese of San Diego. He acknowledged and thanked many from the church who participated in the campaign and building committees and concluded: “This building is something we will all enjoy for many years to come.”

In addition to architecture design and planning services by domusstudio architecture, the new Parish Center at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church was built by general contractor CW Driver.

Founded in 1986 as Dominy + Associates, domusstudio architecture is a San Diego architectural design firm specializing in religious facilities, fire stations, educational buildings, senior housing and custom residential projects. For more information about projects and services, call 619-692-9393 or visit www.domusstudio.com.

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