Renovation; Honor Award
Christian Sottile, FAIA / Sottile & Sottle
Savannah, Georgia
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 time-honored 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.
Project Team Members
Christian Sottile, FAIA / Architect of Record
Craig Clements, AIA / Project Architect
Justin Pidgeon, AIA / Project Architect
Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc. / Decorative Painting
Chicago Ornamental Plaster / Framing & Ornamental Plaster
Photo Credit / Attic Fire Photography
