Opening Day for the St. John’s School marked the first day of Flores Hall in the service of the St. John’s Community. On August 19th, students and faculty were served breakfast in the new 10,000 square foot Dining Hall. Together with building contractor W.S. Bellows Construction and project architect Kendall/Heaton Associates, a building of superior craftsmanship met both schedule and budgetary targets.
Original campus buildings by architect Hiram A. Salisbury were designed in a gentle Collegiate Gothic style, of cut Texas limestone and scaled to the surrounding residences in the neighborhood. Limestone for the new building was sourced from the same Texas quarry as the existing buildings and carved by W. W. Bartlett Inc. The clay tile roof was salvaged in part from Winston Hall before it was demolished to make way for the new campus center, and also from a nearby building that coincidentally had the same tile roof. Circa Lighting Inc. fabricated the custom-designed, six-foot diameter brass chandeliers, along with the sconces and ceiling pendants in the dining hall. Also on the project were longtime Curtis & Windham collaborators Texas Timber Frames, Berger Ironworks Inc., and Hayes Carpentry.
A video of opening day in Flores hall shows the new dining hall filled with students and faculty exploring the space for the first time. For fast facts about the project, see St. John’s School news page.
W. W. Bartlett Inc. carved and installed the cut limestone
Solid oak trusses by Texas Timber Frames
Custom-designed brass chandeliers by Circa Lighting Inc in Flores Hall
Custom-designed brass sconces by Circa Lighting Inc
Interior detail with second floor hallway overlook – millwork by Hayes Carpentry
St. Johns School Courtyard
Metalwork by Berger Ironworks Inc at the Saint Johns School
Entryway metalwork by Berger Ironworks Inc
Limestone fireplace surround by W.W. Bartlett Inc. and oak paneling by Hayes Carpentry Inc
We are working on the designs for a companion house to the Seaside Avenue Residence, “In Surf We Trust.” To be built on the lot directly behind the first, this guest house will share the pool and backyard within the courtyard-like space between the houses. See our latest design sketches.
We are looking forward to working with the wonderful people of The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene. Curtis & Windham has been commissioned to design a new parish house and design the landscape for the grounds of this historic church, a load-bearing limestone Gothic cathedral designed by Philip H. Frohman, the architect of the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Here are some of the design sketches we have produced to date.
The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, street view drawing
The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, Great Hall interior drawing
The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, Courtyard drawing
The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, aerial view drawing
The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, a New Great Hall
The Del Monte Residence and Las Campanas both received Honorable Mentions for Residence over 5,000 square feet and Residence under 5,000 square feet, respectively.
Courtyard Residence on Del Monte view from northeast
Las Campanas outdoor oven and gardens
Del Monte Residence circle drive and planting
Flores Hall interior St. John’s School
The John Staub Awards promote excellence in the classical and vernacular traditions by recognizing both design and craftsmanship that contribute to these traditions in Texas and, in turn, build upon the legacy of John Staub.
Bill Curtis, Russell Windham, and Michael Driskill were in attendance for the ribbon cutting at St. John’s School on September 17, celebrating the official opening of the new Flores Hall.
