HONOR AWARD FOR RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE: RENOVATION
Regina Coeli Hall Christian Sottile, FAIA Sottile & Sottile Savannah, GA
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist has been a landmark in Savannah’ s urban fabric since 1876. Rebuilt in 1900 after a fire, the cathedral was embellished
with gilding, murals, and expansive stained-glass windows. A century later, an extensive interior restoration was completed for the Millennium Jubilee, but the lower level containing Regina Coeli Hall retained dropped ceilings and only minimal commercial finishes.
Today, a dedicated team of artisans has collaborated to create a parish hall and adoration chapel befitting the oldest cathedral basilica in Georgia. The space was redesigned with a focus on traditional craftsmanship using timehonored methods of decorative plaster, painting, and gilding. Regina Coeli Hall now serves as an immersive space for receptions, concerts, and events, with an enhanced identity as a sacred space and as a chapel for the Holy Mass. The enlargement of the Adoration Chapel, now the Gartland Chapel, creates a sanctuary for prayer and reflection. The architectural volumes, ornamental features, and artistic embellishments inspired by the original cathedral showcase magnificent detailing, guiding the way for modern craftspeople to reinvigorate and advance traditional artistry.
JURY COMMENTS:
This renovation project is transformative. The space has been rescued from obscurity. It’ s a place where you now want to be— an asset for the faith community.
Adam Kuehl Photography
HONOR AWARD FOR RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE: RENOVATION
Chapel for the Diocesan Seminary of Plasencia Pablo Guillén Llanos Cáceres, Spain
In an unfinished space of considerable height that had been used as a warehouse for 20 years, the chapel project began with widening the hallway to create better access. The space was highlighted by concrete and stone benches.
The nave has an off-center vault that has cuts to allow access to natural light. The presbytery is located within the remains of the medieval city wall. The material used for the entire work is reddish cement, and the floor is natural stone.
The altar, the seat, and the ambo are three supported naturalstone blocks. Architecture and liturgy converge on the altar as the center of the space. The altarpiece is conceived in a scenographic form by placement of two sculptures and a tabernacle. The cross is freed from the altar to give prominence to the Eucharistic species.
The entire work is resolved with a clear and simple design, using stone and wood. The aim is to create a design that respects the unique style of the building.
JURY COMMENTS: This space is phenomenal and transformative. The liturgical elements fit into the space graciously, while the clerestories have a character of their own. The design is very thoughtful.
Ruheca- Ruben Hernandez
24 SACRED PLACES • SUMMER 2025