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HGA Architecture Engineering and Planning
Minneapolis, Minnesota
St. Bernard’s Catholic Church will serve a growing parish 60
miles east of San Francisco. The new facility supports a
traditional order of worship and an emphasis on service to the
family and surrounding community. The project combines the
traditional building forms of mission churches found throughout the
region with contemporary design practices to create a communal
experience. A central plaza space unites the church with the future
school and multi-purpose gymnasium. The church itself is surrounded
by an outdoor courtyard common in missions and is formed by church
offices, classrooms, and support spaces. The emphasis on outdoor
spaces creates a link to the traditions of the Catholic Church in
California and supports group activities.
The site plan of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church
describes the outdoor spaces that unify the church, school, and
gymnasium.
Image courtesy of HGA Architecture
Engineering and Planning
The sanctuary itself has a traditional cruciform plan with niches
that expand the space allowing the seating to surround the altar.
Extending the sanctuary space through the intersection of the
cross-shaped plan increased the span required of the major
structural systems. With the corners removed from the center of the
space the central dome is supported by the same long spans. The
complexities of transferring large structural loads is made
feasible through the use of three-dimensional computer models that
analyze the gravity and seismic forces involved. In a similar way,
the acoustical design is simulated using digital analysis tools.
The worship space will be developed with a fully integrated sound
system providing natural sounding acoustics for the 50-person
choir, the contemporary music ensemble, and the lectern. Acoustical
analysis is helping to determine the optimal room finishes and
shaping needed to maintain an audible intimacy found in St.
Bernard’s existing sanctuary. The audio system is being
designed with definable pattern control, minimal “spill”
to non-seating areas, and a low-background noise criteria for
building services systems.
Programmatically, the St. Bernard’s campus offers a place for
the congregation and the neighboring community to come together.
The family center and gymnasium will be a part of the outreach
program to bring families to recreate together in a Christian
setting. The parish school will serve the spiritual and academic
needs of the parish children.
Corner niches at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church allow the
cruciform plan to wrap the seating around the altar.
Image courtesy of HGA Architecture
Engineering and Planning
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