The Chapel of St. Ignatius & The Gayle & Tom Benson Jesuit Center
A Vision for Loyola University
The Chapel of St. Ignatius and the Gayle and Tom Benson Jesuit Center at Loyola University in New Orleans is a striking example of architectural ingenuity.
With its unique cylindrical form, the building stands as a testament to thoughtful design and innovation. Designed to foster reflection and connection, the chapel serves as a spiritual and cultural hub for the university community.
Trahan Architects, with studios in New Orleans and New York, is renowned for creating structures that bridge community and culture. Their work desires to elevate human experience by designing spaces that reflect the uniqueness of people’s lives. From the Coca-Cola® Stage at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta to the Caesars Superdome Renovation in New Orleans, Trahan Architects continue to inspire through their thoughtful designs.
Pace Construction’s Role in Value Engineering
Trahan Architects, with studios in New Orleans and New York, is renowned for creating structures that bridge community and culture. Their work desires to elevate human experience by designing spaces that reflect the uniqueness of people’s lives. From the Coca-Cola® Stage at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta to the Caesars Superdome Renovation in New Orleans, Trahan Architects continue to inspire through their thoughtful designs.
During the pre-construction phase, Pace Construction played a pivotal role in optimizing the project by submitting the DensElement® Barrier System as a value-engineering (VE) option to Trahan Architects. Having worked with DensElement® Barrier System for years, Pace Construction recognized its potential to enhance the project by optimizing costs and accelerating construction timelines. They reached out to Georgia-Pacific’s Field Sales Manager, Jonathan Garrie, to explore the opportunity and ensure the system was the right fit for the project.
Having previously worked with similar products like DensGlass® Sheathing, Trahan Architects was intrigued by DensElement® Barrier System ability to streamline construction while maintaining high performance.
As Brad McWhirter from Trahan Architects noted, “It was a ‘no-brainer’. DensElement® [Barrier System] had everything that we needed and it also helped us save some money.”
Meeting the Challenges of a Circular Design
Trahan Architects, with studios in New Orleans and New York, is renowned for creating structures that bridge community and culture. Their work desires to elevate human experience by designing spaces that reflect the uniqueness of people’s lives. From the Coca-Cola® Stage at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta to the Caesars Superdome Renovation in New Orleans, Trahan Architects continue to inspire through their thoughtful designs.The building’s unique circular design presented distinct challenges during construction, particularly with the installation of the DensElement® Barrier System.
To address these complexities, Pace Construction collaborated closely with Georgia-Pacific’s Tech Services team. A technical services representative provided on-site assistance, ensuring the system was installed correctly and seamlessly integrated into the structure. This hands-on support was critical in overcoming the challenges posed by the curved nature of the building.