ST.

JOAN OF ARC CHURCH

HVAC and Accessibility Renovation Case Study
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church

In preparation for the Centennial Celebration in 2021, the St. Joan of Arc
Sanctuary Restoration Project was focused on restoration of the historic
sanctuary space, improved user comfort, ADA accessibility, and increased
functionality resulting in an enhanced worship experience.

St. Joan of Arc is an historic structure built in the Roman Basilica style and
completed in 1929. Minimal restoration work had happened over the last
87 years. The Parish completed a scoping document outlining the proposed
scope of work and anticipated priorities. This study took that initial scoping
information and evaluated phasing strategies to most efficiently implement
the work, build excitement through the process, and minimize overall cost.
The result was a proposed three phased project starting in 2017. The total
project cost for the overall project was estimated at $4.2M.
• Phase 1 - focused on HVAC upgrades (specifically adding air conditioning to the
sanctuary), ADA accessibility, and key functional upgrades with an estimated
cost of $1.6M completed.
• Phase 2 - addresses painting, lighting, and clerestory window restoration
estimated at $900K.
• Phase 3 - will complete terrazzo flooring installation, pew cleaning/restoration,
and organ restoration estimated at $1.7M.
Phases 2 and 3 may be combined depending on fundraising. The focus of this
study was on the Phase 1 scope of work that was recently completed.

Option 1
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
Year: 2017 Year: 2019-2020 Year: 2020-2021
Scope: Paint Restoration, Lighting, and
Scope: HVAC & Accessibility Scope: Pews and Flooring
Windows
Cost: $1.6M Cost: $900K Cost: $1.7M
Duration: Feb-June Duration 2.5 Months Duration: 2.5 Months
Pros: Cons:
- More even distribution of cost over 3 years - Have to vacate sanctuary twice (‘18 & ‘19)
- Able to use school gym in summer - Increased cost

Option 2
Phase 1 Phase 2
Year: 2017 Year: 2020
Scope: HVAC & Accessibility Scope: Paint Restoration, Lighting, Windows, Pews, and Flooring
Cost: $1.56M Cost: $2.55M
Duration: Feb-May Duration: 5 Months
Pros: Cons:
- Only have to vacate the sanctuary one time - Will be out of sanctuary for 5 months
- Significant cost savings

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SITUATION

OVERALL PROJECT GOALS

Aesthetics & Functionality
• Design & Construction focused on restoration and
preservation of the historic structure to maintain the
historical beauty and integrity of the worship space
• Enhance flexibility of space with modest adjustments
in pews
• Bring existing structure into ADA compliance
• Improve lighting levels and quality to enrich worship
Before
experience and celebrate historical character of the
space
Schedule
• Install air conditioning by next summer without
negatively impacting Parish masses/events/weddings
• Implement the entirety of the determined scope prior
to the start of the Centennial celebration (2021)
Financial
• Implement initiatives that are affordable to maintain
and conscious of the environment.
After
• Develop the right tools to continue an effective fund
raising campaign that creates engagement.
• Through early, impactful implementation of scope
build excitement and confidence with Parish to raise
full $5M, elevating current giving levels and inspiring
those that may not have yet contributed.
Communications
• Provide consistent and comprehensive, open
communication plan with the Parrish illustrating a
commitment to fulfilling the case statement and
addressing higher priority items. Before
• Illustrate a focus on enhancing the worship experience
by creating better access to worship space and
improving comfort in order to help maintain a
consistent and steady congregation throughout the
year.
• Develop a proactive schedule and communications
plan for future brides that clearly shows the impact
that will occur at any given time in the worship space.
• Consider the use of mock-ups to gather input, acquire
buy in, and build excitement about future phases.
After

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The Parish wanted to complete a Phase 1 scope of work that would help to:
• Retain current parishioners
• Be more inclusive to their community to grow membership
• Building excitement about future phases to help with fund raising efforts.

The Phase 1 scope was focused on:

• The installation of the air conditioning before summer of 2017 in order to retain
parishioners through the warm summer months
• ADA enhancements such as a new accessible restroom
• A new accessible reconciliation room
• An ADA operator at the front door
• Removal of pews to create accessible seating.
• In addition, the existing small bride’s room and reconciliation rooms were combined
to create a larger bride’s room/cry room.

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SITUATION

PROCESS/SCHEDULE
Schmidt Associates was retained in August of 2016 to restore the St. Joan of
Arc sanctuary space and upgrade the HVAC and electrical systems. Working
with the Parish Building Committee Task Force and the Office of Management
Services (OMS) for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis a project schedule was
created for the project.

Schedule Objectives:
• Key approval dates were developed to align with OMS committee meetings
• Phase 1 schedule created around having HVAC installed by summer of 2017
• Consideration for already scheduled weddings
• Overall schedule established to be complete by centennial celebration (2021).
• Focus on scheduling work that will impact sanctuary space during summer
months when school gym can be used for worship space

Phase 1 Scope Diagram

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Phase 1 Schedule
2016 2017

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Scoping

Design

Bidding

Construction

Phase 2 & 3 Schedule (Combined)

2019 2020

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Design

Bidding*

Procurement/
Submittals *

Construction*

* If the project is completed in two phases, work can be complete in 2020. With three
phases the work will be complete in 2021.

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SCOPE OF WORK:
SUMMARY BY PHASE
Phase 1 - 2017
HVAC/Electrical New ADA restroom
• (8) Vertical Unit Ventilators – Dx Cooling/ • Extend wood paneling along back side of
Heating Hot Water sanctuary to match narthex
• Associated Ductwork, Insulation and Sound • Ensure sound proofing of wall
Traps
• New wood door from narthex
• (8) Air cooled condensing units & refrigerant
• Toilet and Lavatory & Toilet Accessories
piping
• Power and Lighting
• Dedicated Outside Air AHU with Air cooled
condensing units • Exhaust & Electric Heater
• (5) Split systems • Tile Flooring
• (2) Boilers with Pumps, associated piping, & Exterior door
accessories • Add concealed power door operator at
• Temperature Control System west entry (north doors)

• Demo of Existing System & Boilers • Repair bottom of door to prevent dragging.

• New electrical service to accommodate Site

HVAC • Add ornamental fence between tower and
south transept
• New corner chase to get piping to 2nd floor
choir loft and old cry room • Add landscaping to screen mechanical units

HVAC - Before HVAC - After

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New Reconciliation Room Bride’s Room/Cry Room
• Extend wood paneling along back side of • Demo wall between current Reconciliation
sanctuary to match narthex Room and Bride’s Room to create one
• New wood door from Narthex & New wood larger room (ADA Accessibility)
door from Sanctuary • Repair ceiling
• Curtain in middle of room/Consider use of • New carpet
existing confessionals components • Add wall and single door at entrance to
• Power and Lighting space
• Electric Heater • Swing doors out on two existing restrooms
• Carpet Flooring • Add camera in sanctuary and display
monitor in room to capture service
Pews
• Remove two back pews on both sides to Owner
open circulation • Abate insulation on piping as required
• Cut down 10 pews to create ADA seating • Fundraising efforts to outline scope
areas • Create Utility Endowment to cover
operational costs

Back of Church -Before Back of Church - During Back of Church - After

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SCOPE OF WORK:
SUMMARY BY PHASE
Phase 2 - 2018 Phase 3 - 2019
• Repair plaster • Clean and restore pews and kneelers
• Restore decorative painting (Make quieter)

• Remove vinyl wallcovering • New epoxy terrazzo in sanctuary

• Restore stations of the cross • Owner

• Restore clerestory windows • Remove asbestos tile

• New lighting at nave, altar, and transept • Restore Organ

areas
• Scaffolding
• Owner - Remove wall-mounted
acoustical tile

“The Phase 1 project has made a significant impact on our

parish increasing summer attendance, improving overall
comfort, meeting an aggressive collection goal, and building
excitement about the next phase of work. It is great to finally
see our members attending comfortably year-round.”

- Molly Ellsworth, Parish Business Manager

Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church

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St. Joan of Arc - Case Study 11
COST SUMMARY BY PHASE

Phase 1 - Focus on HVAC, ADA, and functional improvement

upgrades

Itemized Estimated Construction Costs

New Restroom $49,150

Bride’s Room/Cry Room $24,100

Reconciliation $27,350

Door Open $12,150

Mechanical/Electrical $907,200

Structural $40,500

Site $6,750

Total $1,067,200

Estimated Actual
Construction Cost $1,067,200 $981,600

Construction Contingency $106,700 $22,405

Soft Costs $589,800 $589,800

Total Phase 1 Cost $1,763,700 $1,593,805

Project came in $169,895 (10%) under budget

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Phase 2 - Focus on wall repairs/painting, window restoration,
and lighting upgrades

Itemized Estimated Construction Costs

Plaster Repairs and Painting $205,000

Clerestory Window Restoration $360,000

Lighting Upgrades $170,000

Scaffolding $130,000

Restore Stations of the Cross (Owner) $20,000

Abate Acoustical Wall Tile (Owner) $40,000

Total $925,000

Phase 3 - Focus on flooring, pew restoration, and organ restoration

Itemized Estimated Construction Costs

Remove Flooring/Install Terrazzo $655,000

Pew Cleaning and Restoration $365,000

Organ Restoration $690,000

Total $1,710,000

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CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

Challenge 1 - Install new HVAC system

that would not be seen or heard
Utilize the existing basement tunnels and sanctuary
grills and a customized, highly efficient mechanical
system to add heat and air conditioning to the facility
that is neither seen or heard by the parishioners. The
decision was to use a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF)
system that by its very nature of using refrigerant
to heat and cool is extremely efficient, compact, and
quiet. Through a bidding and interview process, LG was
the chosen manufacture for the project. The actual
installation has proven to be very quiet to the point
where the parishioners can’t even hear the system
when in operation. A noticeable improvement over their
previous system.

Challenge 2 - Install air conditioning by

June 2017 to help keep parishioners cool
during warm summer months
Due to the system that was selected, minimal ductwork
was needed allowing the entire system to be installed
in the existing tunnels with limited structural work. In
addition an expedited submittal review process was
utilized by the design and construction teams to ensure
that the project was successfully installed prior to the
warm summer months.

Challenge 3 - Get congregation excited

about future phases
By strategically phasing the work to have maximum
comfort and functional impact for the parishioners in
Phase 1, excitement was created for future phases.

In addition, the design team and Owner utilized tools

such as blogs and project summary sheets to help
communicate the scope, schedule, and funding needs
to build interest.

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Challenge 4 - Integrate ADA Accessibility
into the main worship space in a
historically sensitive way
In order to conceal the new accessible restroom and
reconciliation room the custom wood narthex was
expanded to the exterior walls of the sanctuary to
match the existing woodwork. In addition, elements
from the existing reconciliation booth (perforated side
panel and the finials) were utilized in the updated
narthex wall. The result is a seamless integration of
two spaces that make the parish more inclusive to its
community.

Challenge 5 - Ensure new HVAC system will adequately

cover the sanctuary
The engineering team ensured that the sanctuary would be adequately
covered by the air conditioning through a series of engineering studies/
calculations. This information was summarized in an HVAC air flow diagram
that could be shared with both the parish and the Diocese to communicate
the design intent. The actual installation has proven to meet all the comfort
expectations by the parish.

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RESULTS

Phase 1 of the St. Joan of Arc has been a true success.

The scope was achieved successfully, improving overall
comfort and functionality.

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PRAYER FOR THE SUCCESS OF OUR CAMPAIGN

Loving God,
At this time in the life of our parish,
we turn to You with grateful hearts,
for what we have,
and with grateful anticipation
for what is yet to be.

Bless us with a sense of unity,

a spirit of cooperation
and a generous heart
as we face the responsibilities and
challenges of this parish undertaking.

We know there is much to do.

We believe our goals are rooted
in Your Word and in Your work.
Please guide us, strengthen us,
and bless us with Your presence
now and through the years to come.

St. Joan of Arc, pray for us.

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Indianapolis, IN 46220
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