The new parish hall for St. Francis of Assisi Church connects the original parish hall to the ministry building, to the south of the original 1895 sanctuary designed by T.J. Collins. The three joined buildings create the southern edge of the new courtyard. A complex stair/elevator core was developed to provide accessibility to the five distinct levels that existed in the old parish hall and the ministry building. The new parish hall is seen as an Ôin-between' space.' The figural quality of the room is defined by the edges of the existing buildings, the courtyard, and the church beyond. The north wall of the new parish hall becomes a Ôgothic' lattice allowing the southern face of the main church to become the main characteristic of the room. In pleasant weather the doors are open and the courtyard and parish hall are used as a single room. The architecture of the new construction is consciously understated, allowing the gothic character of the original sanctuary to remain center stage. New Parish Hall & Courtyard St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Staunton, Virginia Design Award Honor Award Central Virginia American Institute of Architects Virginia Society American Institute of Architects

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