Holly & Smith Architects 2019 in Review

and Looking Ahead to 2020

Holly & Smith Architects had another successful year in 2019, completing numerous projects, including St. Michael Special School, Neurocovery Medical Facility, Northshore Technical Community College - Livingston Campus,  Envoc Innovation Lab,  interior design for the Louisiana Governor's Mansion, Covington High School Master Plan, various work for Ochsner Health System,  as well as the completed move as the move coordinator for the new Ochsner High Grove Medical Office Building in Baton Rouge. 

Image © 2019 Neil Alexander

ST. MICHAEL SPECIAL SCHOOL

On August 28th, 2019, St. Michael Special School hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new chapel and restored Convent Building. The project included the restoration of the circa 1850’s Greek Revival Convent Building, providing new classrooms, a music room, a technology lab,and a transition academy for young adults. A new chapel addition was constructed to the rear of the historic building. The restored and renovated buildings are an anchor for the school campus and help to reconnect the school to its Lower Garden District neighborhood.

The ribbon-cutting marked the successful completion of a capital campaign begun during the celebration of the school’s 50th anniversary in 2015. Voelkel McWilliams Construction, LLC was the General Contractor for the project. 

NEUROCOVERY MEDICAL FACILITY

On April 4th, 2019, Neurocovery of Louisiana celebrated the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for its new medical and rehabilitation facility. Located in Covington, Louisiana, Neurocovery opened its doors to the community in early January of 2019. Neurocovery provides a comprehensive program unique to the Northshore area which specializes in outpatient care associated with physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive neurology.

Devier Construction was the General Contractor for the project. 

NORTHSHORE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE - LIVINGSTON CAMPUS

On October 3rd, 2019, Northshore Technical Community College celebrated the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for its new Livingston Parish Campus. Located in Walker, Louisiana, this is the first community college in Livingston Parish. The new facility was designed for accommodating specialized training for nursing, welding, advanced manufacturing and electrical systems, administrative, and faculty and support spaces. 

Cangelosi Ward G.C., LLC was the General Contractor for the project. 

Photo courtesy of Envoc

ENVOC INNOVATION LAB

On January 29, 2019 Envoc celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new Innovation Lab located in the newly constructed Computer Science and Technology Building at Southeastern Louisiana University. Envoc has offices in Baton Rouge and Hammond, and the new lab provides a work-like environment for senior students at Southeastern as an extension of Envoc's company culture and mission to create a better reality. 

Frost Barber was the furniture vendor for this project. 

LOUISIANA GOVERNOR'S MANSION

The Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation brought together 17 Interior Designers from across the state to design and refurbish the interior of the Mansion. The Designers volunteered their services to the Foundation and worked with numerous vendors to obtain donations on some items and deep discounting on other items, such as fabrics, furniture, flooring, and accessories. In addition to working on the overall project coordination, H/S interior designer Mary Mowad Guiteau was also part of the design team for the Jazz Room. The collaborative effort of the renovation project was quite a feat.The Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation did an excellent job coordinating 17 designers between 6 different rooms, and assuring that all of the designs were cohesive and timeless.The finished product is a refurbished landmark that will serve the state of Louisiana for many years to come.

THE FOLD HOUSE

Though it was completed in December 2018, The Fold House was professionally photographed in 2019. This residence is located on approximately 13 acres of forested land adjacent to a creek that ties into the Natalbany River in Hammond, Louisiana. The house is sited adjacent to a ridge on the high point of the site and was strategically located to minimally disturb the existing tree canopy. The theme of the home is centered around the use of folded planes to manipulate change and transformation of mass and form.

John Wilson of Wilson Construction was the contractor for this project. 

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY
STUDENT HOUSING

On September 23rd, 2019, Southeastern Louisiana University hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially celebrating the opening of two new residence halls on campus - Ascension Hall and Twelve Oaks Hall.  The new residence halls provide flexible living / learning meeting spaces, classrooms, group study spaces, informal lounges, common kitchens, common laundries, a convenience store (Grab and Go), as well as a common dining / gathering space that allows a diversity of places for students to live and learn in the digital environment. The building utilizes several sustainable features including: geothermal wells for heating and cooling, operable windows at each bed, shading louvers at the corners (where fully glazed), and LED light fixtures through-out.

 DonahueFavret Contractors was the General Contractor for the project. 

H/S PROJECTS RECEIVED RECOGNITION FOR DESIGN 

H/S is committed to providing design solutions that are innovative, forward-thinking, and budget responsive. Our primary goal is creating purpose driven, quality architecture, which is fundamentally focused on client satisfaction. Though it is not our goal of receiving awards, it is still gratifying when our peers recognize our design work. Our 2019 awards recognition included 4 from AIA Baton Rouge, 1 from AIA Louisiana, and 1 from the Louisiana Landmarks Society. 

St. Michael Special School
AIA Louisiana Merit Award

Cambria Hotel New Orleans
AIA Baton Rouge Rose Award
Louisiana Landmarks Society 2019 Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation

The Fold House
AIA Baton Rouge Rose Award
AIA Baton Rouge Member's Choice Award

Cambria Hotel Nashville
AIA Baton Rouge Gold Rose Award

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2020

Looking ahead to another successful year in 2020, we will see the completed construction of Mandeville High School Classroom Building and Gymnasium Addition, Ponchatoula Area Recreation District Overflow Gymnasium, Entergy Service Center Luling, the El Khoury Residence,  CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital interior improvements and CHRISTUS St. Patrick interior improvements.

2020 will also see construction begin on Delgado Community College - Advanced Technology Center, YMCA - Belle Chasse, Kentwood Library Branch, LSU Studio Arts Building, Southeastern Louisiana University Welcome Center, and Covington High School Additions and Renovations.