FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2019
MEDIA CONTACT
Allie Horne
Meeks Marketing, Inc.
832 330 4693
Allie@meeksmarketing.com
T. T. and W. F. Chao Senior Center Grand Opening
HOUSTON, TEXAS — Studio RED was recently awarded a 2018 Solomon Award for Holy Spirit Episcopal Church. Holy Spirit Episcopal Church took home a 2018 Solomon Award in the Sanctuary Design category.
Studio RED was selected to renovate the existing 10,700-square foot sanctuary building for Holy Spirit Episcopal Church and to design a 1,000-square-foot community room/parlor addition constructed west of the existing building. The renovation and modernization of the existing sanctuary improves accessibility, increases natural lighting, and improves audibility of the spoken word and music through modifications to the sanctuary finishes and choir loft walls. This project was Phase One of the Holy Spirit campus master plan, also developed by Studio RED. The team developed the master plan through a series of weekly meetings with key groups from the church and school and structured the plan to be implemented in multiple phases based on the church’s financial and fundraising capacity.
Updates made in the sanctuary building include removing existing carpet and adding stone at the aisles in the 350-seat sanctuary and throughout the narthex, refurbishing and respacing the pews, revising and supplementing interior lighting, and modifying and raising supply air ducts to allow for an unobstructed view of existing stained-glass panels. The center aisle was widened to increase accessibility and wheelchair seating locations were added. The narthex at the south side of the nave was opened up for improved visual access and a hearing loop was installed to assist individuals with reduced ranges of hearing.
The addition of acoustical room shaping on the choir loft walls enhances sound projection of the choir voices and distributes sound more clearly throughout the sanctuary. Finishes were also updated in the Sanctuary and adjoining church spaces to support the function of the church. Renovations made to the 8,500-square-foot sanctuary/nave area and 1,200-square-foot choir loft reveal a bright, open, and inviting space that welcomes patrons visually, auditorily, and functionally. Sanctuary finishes and choir loft wall improvements enhance the overall acoustical experience for the congregation through increased music projection of the choir and clearer spoken word projected from the chancel.
The new 1,000-square-foot addition constructed west of the Sanctuary building includes a community room/parlor and an enlarged accessible women’s restroom. The existing men’s and women’s restrooms that were in a space adjacent to the narthex were demolished and replaced with an enlarged accessible men’s restroom. The new community room/parlor provides the church with much-needed meeting space that serves a wide range of church groups. With the community room/parlor located adjacent to the enlarged women’s restroom, the parlor can also serve as a bride’s room for weddings with the restroom for the bridal party conveniently located across the vestibule. The parlor will also serve as a family room at funerals, a place where bereaved family members can gather together before and after the service.
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Studio RED Architects is a Houston-based architectural firm with a reputation for design and excellence in entertainment, commercial and worship facilities. Notable projects include worship centers such as Lakewood Church, performing arts centers such as the The Alley Theatre, and LEED certified projects such as the LEED Gold, award-winning, City of Houston Permitting Center and Double LEED Platinum Treehouse Memorial City.