St. Stephen's Episcopal K-8 School

Cathedral Parish of St. Stephen's

Additions & Alterations

Following a comprehensive feasibility study begun in 1998, the St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral Parish began an aggressive project to expand its K-8 facility from 180 to 300 pupils. The Vestrymen also desired to unify its campus consisting of various properties that make up a complete 1 block, urban site located less than two blocks from the Pennsylvania State Capital Complex. The renovation encompassed five existing buildings, including a 177 year old Cathedral and its adjacent, 158 year old Chapter House, both of which are designated historic structures.

At the heart of the project, the site's largest building, an unheated concrete frame brick exterior 1920's 4-story, garage was transformed into classroom space and multipurpose room space for the Cathedral Parish's K-8 school. Also included in the project are renovations to the 1840's school building and a new stair tower addition inter-connecting both structures. Other improvements include renovations to the internal circulation spine that will connect the campus while providing handicapped access. The congregations Undercroft gathering area in the basement of the Cathedral was reconstructed, while in the Cathedral itself a displacement ventilation cooling system was installed.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral also took a leadership role in environmental efforts as the first church in the United States to register its facilities with the USGBC. Their goal: a LEED™ Silver Rating, an inspiring space for their much-needed K-8 school expansion, and a role model for future development in their community.

This project illustrates that "green" design can be incorporated on a meaningful scale; even where extremely difficult challenges make for difficult choices. The Historic St. Stephen's Cathedral has lost none of its grandeur, respect or historic appearance, and in fact, many of these attributes are in fact featured and preserved through the design response. The St. Stephen's School has gained classroom space that is not only responsibly built, but through creative interior design, is as imaginative and light-hearted as the elementary students themselves.

This project demonstrates that while high performance Green Design can require compromises and tough choices; those same choices need not sacrifice the goals of historic preservation, and the creation of exciting learning environments.