Citation of Merit

• Division: Miscellaneous
• Location: Columbus, OH
• Architect: Nagle Hartray Danker Kagan McKay Penney
• Client: Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs
• General contractor: Smoot Construction
• Consultants: Graef, Anhalt, Schloemer, & Associates, Inc. (Structural); Korda/Nemeth Engineering (MEP)

Overview

A new home for the Dominican Sisters, this chapel is the focus of community life. Its design reflects the client's organic spirituality. The rectangular plan provides flexibility for worship, funeral and other religious services. The design recalls historic cathedral designs in which buttresses support curving masonry walls and define interior aisles. The buttresses also give expression to the chapel on the exterior. The chapel's shape resembles a bud; the natural theme is reinforced by the selection of materials: brick, cast stone, Douglas fir wood trusses and ceilings, and oak floors. The jurors felt instantly captivated by this project. They loved the integrated lighting and structure, the asymmetrical roof on an asymmetrical plan.