Architecture Renovation: Notre Dame du Lac. (2002 Order of Excellence Awards).

Worcester, Massachusetts

Unifying the whole

It sounds almost political: preserve, protect, build, and unite. Yet those were the goals for the exemplary architectural re-creation of Notre Dame du Lac in Worcester, Mass., part of a 53-acre campus and home to retirees of a religious order.

Architect Robert J. Verrier, AIA, NCARB, at The Architectural Team Inc. started with three existing buildings--a deteriorated chapel, a turn-of-the-century convent, and a nursing home--constructed over the course of 70 years. Despite their potential, the buildings had become dated and presented unsuitably small rooms, accessibility problems, and haphazard configuration.

Verrier set out to reconfigure the complex's main entrance and construct two additional buildings and courtyards. In doing so, he unified the project, provided necessary residential space, and eliminated awkward elevation changes. Gutting the former convent and completely renovating the nursing home netted both a dramatic two-story atrium and residential apartments updated to modern standards.

For the chapel, a complete restoration preserved original finishes, surfaces, and stained glass yet incorporated new mechanical, electrical, and fife-protection systems. The century-old space, with its lofty ceiling and soaring windows, now includes a reading area in the former choir and organ loft.

JURY'S TAKE:

Rob Volzer: "The historic fabric of the convent was preserved, sympathetic to the religious order's retirees."

Lorraine Hiatt: "...serendipitous chapel makeover with simple, colorful interior selections and no sacrifice in traditions."

Kay Trimmer: "A great example."

RELATED ARTICLE: PROJECT SNAPSHOT:

Owner: Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur & Notre Dame Health Care Center, Inc., Worcester, Mass. Developer: Haydu, Lind & Angelakis LLC, Wellesley, Mass.

Architect: The Architectural Team, Inc., Chelsea, Mass.

Interior design: Wellesley Design Consultants, Inc., Somerville, Mass.

Landscape architect: Schreiber Associates, Brookline, Mass.

Project team: Robert I. Verrier, AIA, and Mark Rosenshein, architects; Anne Webb-Johnson and Chuck Steinman, interior designers; Kathy Schreiber, ASLA, landscape designer; Russ Tanner, developers representative; Sister Elizabeth Michaels, owner's representative; Candace Turgeon, facility executive director; Ten Sonier, RN, director of resident care services; Gerald Duclos, director of maintenance; Cathy Sessions, director of marketing; Michael Stewart, executive chef

Resources: FURNITURE: Lexington, Century, American of Martinsville, Harden, Lombard, Fairfield Chair, Sauder Chairs; WINDOW TREATMENTS: Bloom & Company; CARPETS: Milliken, Atlas, Lees, Shaw

Facts: units: 108; resident average age: 79; cost per sq. ft.: $81; largest unit: 1,045 sq. ft.; smallest unit: 212 sq. ft.

Photography: Bruce T. Martin