A Short and Long Term Master Plan for St. Patrick's Church, Apalachicola, Fla.
Summary
Based on previous growth patterns in Florida,
Franklin County and the central Florida coastline as well, are poised for
significant growth in the
next twenty years.
With this in mind the Diocese of North Florida retained me to assist St. Patrick
Church in Apalachicola to devise a growth strategy
for the years ahead. A three
part
plan was presented, one anticipating moderate growth (Low Growth Scheme)
and a second scheme (High Growth Scheme)
that would accommodate a much higher level of expansion. A third scheme created is really an
amalgamation of the Low Growth and a short term needs
plan if you will. The
church development committee felt a urgent requirement to meet some basic needs.
Accommodation for specialized education for
younger people was one as well
as private meeting
areas that could occur while hall activities went on (receptions, funerals,
banquets, etc)
Existing Conditions
St. Patrick's at only .96 acre is a relatively small diocese level campus but
considered large by church property dimensions in Apalachicola. St Pat
is
relatively well off re accommodating future expansion needs in terms of floor space as well as off
street parking needs which are serious problems
for other church's in the city. The site has a gentle 2% northeastward slope towards the
bay and is graced by mature live oak (quercus virginiana) and slash pine
(pinus
elliottii). Sixth St. splits the
campus into two areas, namely the south and north campus as shown.
The north campus at .55 acre has the existing church &
rectory and an open lawn area
to the east of both structures.
Built in the roaring twenties when funds were
plentiful, the church is considered a local architectural treasure. It's an
excellent reproduction of an
early 14th century Romanesque central Mediterranean style and is worth any
effort to preserve and enhance. Although passable as an architectural
effort the
rectory has
a improperly designed foundation with cracks throughout the structure up to
1/2" in width and will in time have to be demolished as
uninhabitable. The open
lawn area
to the east of the rectory is considered valuable as either expansion for a
future education center and or off street
parking.
The 4000 sf parish hall
occupies the south
campus along with a couple of unsightly maintenance sheds that
need to be
removed eventually
and a limited amount of off street parking. The hall was
built in 1980
and is rightfully viewed by the locals as early Walmart and should just somehow
go away. Both demolition and retrofit considerations were reviewed and the
initial
inclination was to tear the structure down or build
over it with a more
creative
architectural solution. Depending on how the long term growth picture evolves,
either one
these options may occur yet.
Existing Parrish Hall--Church (center) and Rectory
(far right)
▼▼
Existing north and south campus survey
plan
▼▼
Low Growth ---Short Term Plan
The north campus will remain unchanged re the short term plan to accommodate
additional classroom and meeting space. Shown below is a changed
south campus that now now makes room for a 26 x 78' modular structure (yellow color). An
adventure playground is also planned and modifications
would occur to the
existing hall
to house a small day care center. This would entail adding two sets of french
doors to the southwest corner of the hall
and rearranging wall storage as well.
▼▼
Rendering of Proposed Modular Structure for St. Patrick
This project was completed in July of 2007 and is considered a resounding
success for two reasons. One is the classroom and meeting areas have
been
created within
budget. The second reason for the success story is an aesthetic objective was
met. The building is an a sensitive historic district
and the local approving
board was very
concerned about how a "modular " structure would fit into the established
architectural theme for the area that
is rightfully so important to them.
Much effort went into
visually integrating the two structures so that they would appear as one. Note
the fusing of the roof
structures, building color co-ordination and an
integrated planting
design.
▼▼
High Growth Scheme
The long term, strong growth scheme is quite a different story if that scenario
comes to pass. The strategy, in summary form, would be:
-------demolish the rectory and build a 2.5 story 9000 sf educational center and
new hall in it's place (see below).
-------demolish the existing parish hall and create a 36 car parking lot in it's
place to make a big dent in the off street parking challenge
-------relocate the modular structure from its south campus location to the open
area east of the current rectory
-------build all weather connecting atriums from the new hall to both the
existing church and the relocated modular structure
▼▼
Proposed new parish hall
A front elevation of what the new 2.5 story
educational & social center could look like. Architecturally it strongly
reflects the existing Mediterranean
character of the existing church to your
left. Note that this particular view indicates off street parking where the
modular structure would go. This variation
was drawn along with other
views when it wasn't clear if a modular structure was going to happen. The
single connecting atrium to the church is indicated
below this sketch
▼▼
Connecting Atrium concept
a 80' all weather passageway would connect the new hall to the existing
church. This addition would not only protect users from the elements but would
serve as a
strong visual connection between the major architectural elements on the site.
▼▼
kent mccoy landscape architect
email:
kentmccoy40@gmail.com