The School of Theology campus occupies four, interconnected, modernist-styled buildings constructed in 1968 on a 50-acre site. These campus buildings are one, two and four stories and consist of approximately 190,000 square feet, containing classrooms, chapels, cafeteria, library, gymnasium, offices, conference rooms, and dormitory rooms for students and faculty. In addition, the facility provides sleeping, recreational and spiritual facilities for members of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
Phase 1 included the renovation of the main building lobby. The lobby serves as prefunction space, as well as gathering/reception, lounge area, and display area. The work also included a new, built-in reception desk, accessible toilet room, lobby window replacement, fire sprinklers, lighting upgrades, new skylight, and IT improvements.
One important objective of the project was to respect the modern architecture of the existing building, while updating the interior image and creating a lighter and more welcoming space.
Future phases will include classroom renovations and upgrades, a multipurpose meeting and lecture hall addition that will seat up to 250 people, several student lounge and study areas, modernized dormitory sleeping rooms, and restrooms, office space, and accessibility improvements.
The project received the 2015 IIDA Wisconsin Award of Excellence in the liturgical project category.
Photography: Ryan Hainey