St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic School Renovation

Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend commissioned DLZ to develop a Capital Improvements Building Program for the school. The Building Program established a logical and systematic approach to building and site developments and improvement projects.

The design team worked closely with the school’s teachers and administrators to develop and establish a program that met the identified needs and maintained the overall project budget. Upon a series of work sessions the most appropriate design direction was established.

A new north entry provides an identifiable school entry from the exterior, while the interior creates a prominent entry lobby immediately adjacent to the administration area. Building additions to extend the west instructional wing of the school on the north and south ends of the building and also along the east face of the building. The original gymnasium is reprogrammed and renovated to meet the program requirements of a new media center, large group instruction and religious education, while a new dining/auxiliary gymnasium and kitchen areas are constructed immediately south of the existing primary gymnasium.

The specific requirements for school instruction are achieved, while the opportunity for parish activities exist. The internal circulation is clear and direct. The administration area is centrally located and the instructional classrooms are organized and grouped to reinforce the curriculum program.