St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Location
Hammond, Louisiana
Owner
Catholic Diocese of Louisiana
Completion Date
1984
Awards
The Tangipahoa Catholic community had for many years dreamed of a high school in their region. After a successful fundraiser and support from the Diocese of Baton Rouge, the dream became a reality. Because a faculty and administration had not been selected, the architects formed their own building committee of local educators and parents. The goal of the community was to design a complete academic and athletic facility for an initial enrollment of five hundred students. A master plan campus for building expansion was required, including a stadium and additional parking. A concept was developed to separate the gym and classroom building with an area coined the student commons. The two-story classroom building visually balances the gym and maximizes the site area and provides a strong architectural element oriented towards the long axial entrance drive. The floor plan incorporates 45 degree angles and truncated corners to create interest and improve circulation. The building was centrally located on the site to allow for expansion of the campus in all directions. Painted and natural concrete masonry units with 8” × 8” grid were used extensively throughout the interior and exterior. Standard metal roofing, fascias and soffits were applied to a pre-engineered roof purlin system. An aluminum storefront with operable window units were utilized at all exterior openings. The use of simple bold colors in a scheme that accentuates architectural elements assisted in the definition of spaces.
