RESCHEDULED: Bellarmine Chapel Tour (Members Only)

Greetings cf3 members and modernist friends

When: Rescheduled for 9:30am, Saturday, October 8th, 2016

Where:  Xavier University Bellarmine Chapel

What: Of the many iconic Mid Century Modern roof lines, one of the most dynamic was the Hyperbolic Paraboloid roof.  Also referred to as a ‘saddle’ or ‘hypar’ roof, this roof style consists of a convex curved plane that engages the ground most often in (2) locations to create a clear roof span to create clear span expanses uninterrupted.  You may be familiar with one of the most iconic houses with this roof style, the Catalano House located in Raleigh, North Carolina and designed by the late MCM Architect Eduardo Catalano.   More photos and info on this house can be found here:  http://www.ncmodernist.org/catalano.htm 

Cincinnati is fortunate to have one of these iconic structures, Bellarmine Chapel located at Xavier University.  Built in 1962 and designed by Architect Albert V. Walters, the Bellarmine Chapel’s roof has a 122 foot roof span is supported by steel tension cables underground connected to the roof support pillars.  The Chapel’s website notes “The hyperbolic paraboloid was meant as a representation of the advanced style of construction and design.”  The Chapel was remodeled in 1998, and an addition was designed and built in 2005.   

Please join us for a guided tour led by Martha Dorff and Randy Merrill.  Martha from Schickel Design is carrying on the family company’s tradition with experience working on many projects with her late father William Schickel.  You may also be familiar with William’s work which includes the ‘Love Letter to the Queen’ a MCM mural located in downtown Cincinnati.  More about Schickel Design’s work:  http://www.schickeldesign.com/

Randy Merrill, Vice President of Architecture with McGill Smith Punshon Architects, was the Architect of the 1998 Chapel renovation.  MSP also did the 2005 addition to the building.  Through both the interior and exterior work we hope to provide a thorough discussion about their work on the building and strategies with such unique structure.  More on MSP’s work: http://www.mcgillsmithpunshon.com

Free Parking is available on surrounding campus streets, optionally Xavier does have some paid lots.  Please plan to walk a short distance to the center of campus, we will gather in the front of the building and begin the tour around 9:30am.  The chapel is located at the end of Musketeer Dr, a printable campus map link can be found here:  http://www.xavier.edu/about/documents/campusmap.pdf