Client: Archdiocese of Atlanta
Area: 21,550 sf

Services
Master Plan, Programming, Design, Fundraising Visuals, and Pricing Narrative

Smith Boland Architects was hired by the parish of St. Ann Catholic Church to review and revise their dated campus plan that had proposed for a new free-standing multi-story Parish Life Center that connected to the existing church buildings via a pedestrian bridge that spanned over the current campus loop road. The new building would allow the church to move their staff offices from off-site and provide new gathering and meeting spaces that the church was lacking. Concerned with pedestrian safety, circulation efficiency and project costs associated with the bridge solution; it was determined that relocating the loop road would solve many of the issues. The new building was situated away from the existing in order to create a large entry courtyard at the main level that is accessed by exterior steps and a handicap accessible ramp. This new courtyard is flanked by the existing parish hall as well as the new parish hall, creating outdoor overflow space for each while providing the social hub for the parish. This courtyard feeds into a new lobby that connects the new building to the existing church and hall, tying the entire campus together. The new parish hall provides seating for 500, and also includes a new commercial kitchen, utility spaces, an elevator and an open daylit stair to connect to the new lower level. A new service courtyard was located behind the new lobby that provides for deliveries and trash removal that is hidden from view. Taking advantage of the sloping site topography, a full lower level was created that was accessible from grade and has daylighting on three sides. This lower level contains the new church administration suite, an entrance lobby and three adult education classrooms. A small staff parking lot was also added to serve the administration suite.