SERVICES
We are aN INDEPENDENT liturgical design firm that offers a unique model with distinct advantages AND DIFFERENCES FROM other models. we are not a LICENSED architect OR A LITURGICAL CONTRACTOR, NOR a broker for any particular artist studio or VENDOR.
For renovation projects, Studio io provides primary design and management work for clients where the full services of a registered architect may not be required or may be limited to a code review capacity for cosmetic / liturgical remodels.
For larger, extensive renovation and new construction / campus planning projects, we often produce conceptual work at the initial stages and enthusiastically partner with a local architect of record who can provide a wealth of knowledge critical to a project’s success.
MORE ON HOW WE WORK
Our projects range greatly from small and targeted renovations to chapels and church sanctuaries to planning and design for very large new church buildings. We carefully discern the fit of each project to ensure alignment of mission and working competencies. Our business is built primarily on word-of-mouth referrals, which, along with our nation-wide virtual office, keeps our overhead costs low to better serve our clients. While this model is a benefit to many, it is not for all. Because we are a design studio and do not physically produce other goods or services like an artisan or contractor, our design consultations are typically a paid service as a first step to discern the fit of a project and allow our potential clients to discern the fit of Studio io for the project and team.
We typically charge for on-site consultations and travel expenses for standalone efforts as a professional service, and are happy to discuss our work, values, and process to assist in the determination of Studio io’s potential involvement. While we do not bill hourly for our time in most cases and often prefer to work on a fixed fee agreement, we are unfortunately not able visit in person and provide free advice to every client who is considering a project. For discussion of larger projects with an imminent approval of a services agreement, we do take into consideration initial meetings and interviews, along with the likelihood of selection, to help build a relationship prior to the start of work where time and travel expense can otherwise be absorbed or incurred in advance of a signed agreement. Furthermore, often we are able to combine such visits if other current or prospective clients are in the region.
Our model requires a different approach than the traditional competitive selection process via RFP (request for proposal) / RFQ (request for qualifications). While not for all, this can offer significant benefits. Because we are typically involved at the earliest conceptual design stage of a project, and because we are not a full-service architecture firm or liturgical contractor, the apples-to-apples comparison to firms with a different model from ours is often not productive. Rather than being considered competitively alongside these other professionals, with many of whom we will end up needing and hoping to collaborate during the process anyway, we encourage our prospective clients to discern whether or not Studio io is a good fit. If our model and team are not a good fit, the RFP / RFQ process may continue with similar options (architects or liturgical contractors) being considered by comparison. If it is a good fit, then we kindly ask that the selection process be paused to discuss the best options for our potential involvement.
During or after conceptual design work being completed, we typically lead the discernment of the remainder of the team, including local or regional Architect of Record and General Contractor, as well as the full team of artisans and other liturgical vendors. Some of these parties may have already been engaged prior to our involvement. If a client has already engaged (for design or vetting) an Architect of Record or liturgical contractor who is willing to bring a liturgical design partner on board and open to our model, we regularly entertain these considerations as well, providing there is clear understanding of the parameters that make our approach a little different.
In everything, we strive to be transparent, free, and joyful in our discernment of projects, and encourage our clients to be the same. Trust and obedience to the Lord’s will is paramount, and a fear-driven process results in burning out an entire team and compromising the spiritual welfare of a parish, school, or other religious community. We are grateful to be able to say with complete confidence that there is a lot of work in the sacred arts to go around, and also many wonderful options among our fellow sacred arts and design professionals for how to approach that work. We cheerfully encourage a process that will allow maximum spiritual return.
Our services fall under four primary groupings:
DESIGN CONSULTATION &
BEAUTIFICATION COORDINATION
On-site Initial Consultation for Renovation & Beautification
Coordination of Purchases & New Sacred Art Commissions, Furnishings, & Other Liturgical Appointments.
The benefits of our involvement in this project type involve client formation and intensive liturgical dialogue, as well as a direct relationship with artisans and vendors on the client’s behalf, which also affords complete freedom to choose from any individual studios as opposed to a package approach. While many studios excel at direct client relations, we have found that most are eager to welcome our involvement as an intermediary because of the preparation we do to help establish an artistic vision that is solidly grounded in objective theological principles and not merely arrival at a product that only reflects a limited personal taste. Because these projects involve working with existing buildings, careful consideration of harmony of styles as well as appropriateness of liturgical options are often factors studios look to us to help guide.
Pictured Above:
Holy Family Catholic Church –
Carved/Gilded Altar Appliqué by Albl Oberammergau
| SEE SACRED ART & FURNISHINGS |
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN RENDERINGS
FOR PLANNING & FUNDRAISING
Interior Renovation Concepts (2D & 3D)
Concepts for New Church / Chapel Construction prior to Formal Architectural Design Services (2D & 3D)
Fundraising consultants and development staff find our involvement to be crucial to bridging the gap between communicating the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ – articulating the vision behind what is seen and how the funds being raised will actually affect the work of evangelization. The nuances of this process require careful collaboration between those preparing the campaign materials and those generating the design work, and it is a process we thoroughly enjoy being a part of and supporting with prayerful encouragement throughout the duration. This process often precedes readiness for selecting a long-term design team (Architect of Record, engineers, consultants) and allows a no-pressure first step to getting started with a vision that is carefully rooted in discernment and building a team around it.
Pictured Above:
St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church –
New Church Conceptual Design
| SEE IN PROGRESS CONCEPT WORK |
Rendering courtesy of Murals by Jericho
COSMETIC LITURGICAL RENOVATION
DESIGN COORDINATION
Design Coordination of Limited Renovation Projects (when a local Architect of Record is not required), including leading a Team of Specialty Artisans, Vendors, and Sub-contractors who are contracted individually by the parish or owner
Coordination with a local General Contractor as the single holder of contracts for various trades
While this work is frequently also performed according to other proven methods – local architect / contractor, studios as general contractor, or general contractor plus studios – often the implications of a detailed liturgical renovation are difficult to integrate with the technical scope of dealing with modification of existing elements. The studio-only approach can fall short in limiting solutions to only those which fall within the studios’ skill sets and be default would exclude most architectural work that may be needed. A general contractor can perform this work, but even working in conjunction with a studio or local architecture firm, some of the best conversations about thoughtful liturgical solutions can be unintentionally bypassed. Many of the local architects with whom we have collaborated are grateful to be able to lean on sound liturgical guidance and direction with authentic alteration of existing features that respects what will remain and elevates it to the dignity of a truly worthy sacred edifice.
Pictured Above:
St. Leo the Great Catholic Church – Church Renovation
| SEE RENOVATION WORK |
‘BASIC SERVICES’
DESIGN & CONSULTATION
Contract to the parish or owner to collaborate with a local Architect of Record for major Renovation & New Liturgical Construction Projects from start to finish
Contracted Partnership with an Architect of Record or Design/Build Contractor to lead the Design Team with liturgical-programmatic and aesthetic aspects
We have repeatedly found that the value of the right local Architect of Record cannot be underestimated. Knowledge of local markets, materials, professionals, and regulations are just a few of the considerations, not the least of which is a relationship with the diocese and an understanding of its preferred processes. In many cases, local firms rely on outside design help to achieve the quality of work our clients request, which is typically different from any other Catholic work they might have completed, if at all. This path opens the possibilities of finding the right fit in a local firm based on technical expertise and relationships, checking both of boxes: qualified local expert architect and experienced liturgical designer. The dedicated expertise that we bring to the process allows a more concerted focus for the Architect of record on leading the design / consultant team without risking a compromised outcome for the project vision – two priorities that are very difficult to maintain in parallel and in equal proportion.
Pictured Above:
St. Mary’s Catholic Center – New Church (with BRW Architects)