This blog is a simple way to submit and record feedback on the initial architectural drawings we just received for our Memorial Garden. The drawings are linked from the Jr. Warden's page at http://stpeterscarsoncity.org/jr_warden.html
The architect is Dennis Freitas, with Building Concepts, Inc. in Minden.
Please review the drawings and submit your comments by June 1. We will submit any changes to Dennis after reviewing comments on this blog and considering all other forms of feedback from the parish.
Joyfully yours,
Hallie Murphy
LandMinds Chair
hallie.murphy@sbcglobal.net
5 comments:
The historic report on the Rectory calls for reconsideration of the site we have selected for the memorial garden. Linda Goldsmith first pointed out in an email to me earlier this year "If the columbarium is constructed near the rectory...the visual and historical relationship between the church and the rectory could be lost." (April 16, 2008) The historic survey echoes this concern under the heading "Inappropriate Addition" on page 40. I don't think the report is specifically addressing our plans to build a columbarium, but the comments bear consideration.
In her email to me, Linda suggested an alternate site for the columbarium and memorial garden at the southwest corner of the property (where the tool shed now stands).
My vote for the columbarium wall is the shorter of the two (option A), especially if we keep the site to the north of the rectory. The shorter wall allows for a more open space, and the columns can add archtictural interest while supporting a nice overhead trellis of sorts.
I am very excited to see these initial drawings coming together. I think that it will be a wonderful use of the space and provide a quiet contemplative area. I'm sure it could be addapted to the rear of the rectory as well - addressing the concerns that Linda / Hallie have mentioned here. I look forward to hearing what everyone thinks...
for those of you who don't know, I work with Dennis at Building Concepts. As I work in administration, I had nothing to do with creation of these conceptual drawings, other than I got to have the first sneak peak. St. Peters is in good hands using his architectural talents. - Mary Claire Boucher
I am so glad we are making progress on this project. Thanks to all who got us in motion. Thanks also to Dennis who has the courage to help us get this conversation started.
Regarding the columbarium wall, particularly if the site remains near the front of the Rectory, my preference would be the shorter of the two options, and I would hope that we could consider having an even shorter segment in the middle --perhaps 3 1/2 foot or 4 foot tall-- so that it could serve as an altar if we had weddings or outdoor worship services. Also, do we have any security issues that may arise by creating a 6 foot visual barrier? Finally, I agree with Linda G's point that we need to retain the visual relationship between the two buildings. Would it be possible to make the outside of this memorial garden look something like a gothic gazebo or bandstand might have looked 100 years ago to match the style of the buildings? For example, the outside of the columbarium wall might be designed to look like white wooden slats, even if it really wasn't wooden slats. I am remembering the gazebo/bandstand in the movie "The Music Man".
Conversations around the parish about the memorial garden:
Suggestions for moving the site of the memorial garden are building steam. Rich Green, in am email to me suggested connecting the garden to the church, in the corner of the building where Fr. Jeff's east window is. But if we consider another corner just east of that - the corner of the building where the sacristy juts out - the garden would embrace the open air holy water drain and become connected to our worship. Bud Gilbert spoke of a church that built thier garden and attached it to the church where it could be viewed from inside the building: through a window the garden is part of the worship space of that church.
Fr. Jeff also asked me about the longstanding desires of some parishoners to include a labyrinth and outdoor gathering space in the overall plan. I assured him that folks still want to include those elements in our plans, and we haven't forgotten about them.
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