Featured New Construction Design Projects

CHURCH OF THE VISITATION
HISTORIC CHURCH REBUILD

New American gothic vernacular church, rebuilt in the style inspired heavily by its predecessor which was lost in a tragic fire in 2019. The new church seating approximately 450 will largely resemble the former, which key upgrades including a structural slab, brick veneer, fire protection systems, and a modified interior layout to improve visibility and circulation around the structural columns. Hand-carved statuary and gothic altars, stained glass windows, and cast bronze bells are being carefully matched to documentation of the originals. The front doors were constructed from salvaged wood from the previous church. At every stage, the vision anticipated a church that embodies more than a century of Catholic tradition but is living and adapted to the present needs of the still vibrant community.
(Design/Build with K4 Construction)

Dedicated: August 27, 2023

“As the pastor, of the Church of the Visitation, in Westphalia Tx, I was tasked with the rebuilding of the church in 2019. This was an undertaking in which I had little experience. However, in the early stages of the design process we brought on board Studio io as a liturgical and architectural consultant. Michael attended our design and construction meetings, and his knowledge and expertise of both fields was a great assistance in answering the questions related to the intimate relationship between the Church's liturgy and the design and layout of the church. What in the Church we call "synergia"-- Greek meaning ‘work’ and ‘with.’ The design of the Church needed to work with the liturgy we celebrate from a functional standpoint and at the same time to be a space of transcendence, sacredness, and beauty similar to the liturgy we celebrate. The firm’s assistance helped us to accomplish both of these goals. Simply, synergia is what I experienced with Studio io. They were working with us and not simply for us. They too were invested and dedicated to building a beautiful house for the Lord and a sacred space for the faithful to gather and give thanks and praise God through the beautiful liturgy he gave us. 

– Rev. Darrell Kostiha, Pastor, Church of the Visitation