st. malachy / liturgical

Entheos Architects2010

St. Malachy was a years long project designed by Entheos Architects in Indianapolis. While construction was underway, I was asked to design a series of liiturgical furnishings that would be housed in the new worship space.

Within the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, I designed a table for the tabernacle to rest on, the flooring design, as well as the beautifully etched glass that seperates the space from the sanctuary. Working with Fox Studios, I developed a design that allowed parishioners to always be able to see the tabernacle, no matter the time of day or location in the sanctuary.

The altar required a number of liturgical furnishings, as it is the main focal point in the santuary. I was able to design a floor pattern in keeping with the Irish influence of the space, two versions of the railing that surround the altar, as well as the ambulatory. Though the ambulatory is made of wood and marble, we were able to keep it from looking heavy and static. The end result is light yet stands at attention for the congregation.

Designing the Marian Shrine was very controversial as well as challenging. This was not the typical figure placed on the wall. With Mary as a life-size figure, we designed a space where visitors could come and sit with her and pray along side of her.

A result of collaborating studios and a grant funded from the Environmental Protection Agency, this Educational Straw Bale Classroom became the first load bearing straw-bale building in the region. This is a built example of what design can become. http://ecocenter.iweb.bsu.edu/

Working with graduate students, we were asked to help facilitate both the design and construction of the ecocenter. Along with two other classmates, I came up with a scheme that we felt was sustainable yet still exciting. Once our designs were done, graduate students compiled one masterplan from ideas from each design. The end result is innovative and inspiring.

straw bale / cooper’s farm

Educational Classroom2006-2007

collet residence / deck

Perkins Von Delyen Architects2010

The Collets are lovers of design. They knew hiring an architect for the construction of their new deck would make their lakehouse stand out from all of the other houses in the area. They wanted bold, and that is exactly what they got. A deck with edge and innovation.

It is important as design professionals to set examples in the re-use of the built environment. By creating a link between the old and new of downtown Muncie, a sense of community is created through interaction. Familiarity through shapes and sizes as well as resident run sustainable features allows for familiarity of the site.

MUDS / renovation

Muncie2006

st. barnabas / liturgical

Entheos Architects2011

During the renovation of St. Barnabas Catholic Church, I was assigned a few liturgical furnishings for the space, including the Baptismal Font, and the exterior windows and doors. My hope was to inspire those who entered the space as well as those entering into the church. The font was designed to follow the new church guidelines that requests a place for full immersion baptism for youth and adults. The font we designed allowed believers to walk down into the font from one side, become baptized, then walk out of the font on the other side - new and transformed. Made of stone and mosaic tiles, the font serves as a focal point and a welcoming point for all who enter the church.

As part of the renovation, Entheos was asked to add a narthex, or entry space, to the church. My assignment was to design the windows and doors - the facade essentially. The original design of the church has very interesting angles. I wanted to incorporate this idea into the new addition, making it seemless, in a timeless way, adding crisscrossing mullions to the windows and sharp angled doors. St. Barnabas preached peace to his followers. To continue that understanding, I designed stained windows representing the olive branch in a very liberal way. We also added olive branch -like door pulls, hoping parishioners will contemplate peace as they enter the sanctuary.

As a studio, we had the honor of working with Frank Fantauzzi, architect and professor. His latex installaions have been displayed around the country and in many publications. Merritt Ertel and myself created an installation that came together by attaching a light fixture to the rafters. We then painted a layer of latex on the floor and attached it to the rafters where the roof hatch was located. We added a little bit of water into the new pocket, and painted another layer of latex on. We continued to add water and latex for several days. The end result was the “Water Lantern” - as if rain came down into the roof hatch - that moved and changed as the water rippled and the light illuminated.

water lantern / installation

Latex Workshop2006

Through the integration of visitors, scholars, and the citizens of Columbus, the architecture center focuses on teaching sustainability through simplistic systems. By seeing sustainability in an attainable way, it is hopeful that citizens realize that sustainability is not just for the elite.

They realize the simplicity and efficiency of a pergola system, or a reusable greywater system. Columbus has always excelled at being a great example for cities. The new columbus Center for Architecture strives to expand on that principle for years to come.

center for architecture

Columbus, IN2007

scecina hs / renovation

Entheos Architects2008

Scecina was my first project when I was hired as in intern right out of school. Entheos had enough faith in my abilities to put me as lead designer on the high school’s renovation. The renovation included all three of the school’s main cooridors, a few classrooms, as well as the music room located in the basement. The main entry was transformed into a rotunda, making it clearly visible for visitors. The result added color and life to the school while maintaining their Catholic identity.

The rectangular band room was particularly challenging as it was not ideal for sound performance. We created a curved back wall, adorned with sound block and tilted windows to make every practice and performance sound exceptional.