St Patricks Catholic Church
Iowa City, Iowa
Following a devastating tornado in the spring of 2006 the St. Patrick’s parish was faced with rebuilding. The new church will be located on a 14-acre site on the east side of Iowa City. The site is located within a single-family residential area with an adjacent city square to the south. This city square acts as a traffic-calming device and provides the church a welcoming and uninterrupted view of it’s primary façade.
The structure utilizes an early Christian, Romanesque aesthetic. Materials include stone, brick and a standing seam metal roof. Visitors pass through a cloistered entry plaza, which incorporates a covered walk on three sides. The bell tower defines the entry plaza at the southwest corner.
The 1000-seat sanctuary defines the core of the building with a 130-seat daily mass chapel located at the northwest corner of the sanctuary. Visitors pass the baptistery upon entering the sanctuary - intentional symbolism that emphasizes the importance of the sacrament of baptism.
The west portion of the building is dedicated to administrative, music and nursery functions. A 500-seat social hall, classrooms and gymnasium are located in the two-story east wing. The gentle eastward slope of the site allows these two-story components to rest into the hillside reducing the building’s east profile.
The project site provides a formal prayer garden north of the building. Parking lots to the west, north and east provide parking for 300 vehicles
Following a devastating tornado in the spring of 2006 the St. Patrick’s parish was faced with rebuilding. The new church will be located on a 14-acre site on the east side of Iowa City. The site is located within a single-family residential area with an adjacent city square to the south. This city square acts as a traffic-calming device and provides the church a welcoming and uninterrupted view of it’s primary façade.
The structure utilizes an early Christian, Romanesque aesthetic. Materials include stone, brick and a standing seam metal roof. Visitors pass through a cloistered entry plaza, which incorporates a covered walk on three sides. The bell tower defines the entry plaza at the southwest corner.
The 1000-seat sanctuary defines the core of the building with a 130-seat daily mass chapel located at the northwest corner of the sanctuary. Visitors pass the baptistery upon entering the sanctuary - intentional symbolism that emphasizes the importance of the sacrament of baptism.
The west portion of the building is dedicated to administrative, music and nursery functions. A 500-seat social hall, classrooms and gymnasium are located in the two-story east wing. The gentle eastward slope of the site allows these two-story components to rest into the hillside reducing the building’s east profile.
The project site provides a formal prayer garden north of the building. Parking lots to the west, north and east provide parking for 300 vehicles
