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St. Charles Church and School

  • Worship

St. Charles Catholic Parish experienced rapid growth and faced severe space shortages. The flourishing community quickly outgrew existing worship and education areas. Weekly mass attendance regularly exceeded the 400-person capacity. Holiday services frequently drew up to 900 worshippers. The parish temporarily managed this overflow with live-streaming technology and large displays. School enrollment also nearly doubled over two decades. St. Charles Catholic Parish required a visionary solution to expand capacity to 1,050 and establish a prominent presence in Hartland.

Our team developed a comprehensive master plan to permanently resolve these complex challenges. We designed a transformative six-phase expansion for the worship and educational facilities. The primary objective focused on capturing the unique essence of St. Charles Catholic Parish. We envisioned a stand-alone traditional church to inspire and support the growing community. This highly visible architectural landmark seamlessly integrates with existing campus structures. Architectural environments possess the power to strengthen communities, and this ambitious project perfectly reflects that philosophy.

The newly constructed addition features an inspiring Romanesque-style design. A stunning domed rotunda and a 118-foot-tall cupola anchor the visual experience. A 100-foot-tall bell tower beautifully accentuates the main entry. We strategically incorporated circular windows to accommodate future stained-glass installations. An ornate Italian marble baptismal font elevates the interior worship space and replaces the original wooden fixture.

Premium exterior materials boldly reinforce the concept of permanence. Terra cotta and gold metallic roofs deliver a striking visual impact. The concrete exterior walls feature a large-scale masonry pattern at the corners. This precise detailing symbolizes the timeless nature of St. Charles Catholic Parish. Aluminum-framed windows with lightly tinted glass complete the polished exterior aesthetic. Ultimately, this forward-thinking expansion successfully accommodates the thriving congregation and stands as an iconic community landmark.


Location:

Hartland, WI

Size:

30,490 Sq. Ft.

Services Provided:

Architectural Space Planning, Architectural Planning and Design, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Plumbing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture
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Stu LaRose

, AIA

Vice President | Director, Education and Worship

As part of a transition in firm leadership, Stu returned to Zimmerman to lead our Education and Worship Studio. For more than a decade, early in his career, Stu acted as a project architect and project manager on many of the firm’s most notable education projects. This includes the multiple award-winning University of Wisconsin-Mechanical Engineering addition and renovation and University of Wisconsin Fluno Center for Executive Education projects. He also completed work for several private college and university institutions as well as K-12 school districts around the state.

In addition to his early career experiences, Stu also has nearly a decade of experience as a senior facilities architect and project manager with the University of Wisconsin Office of Capital Planning and Development. In that role, Stu participated in all aspects of project development for the University of Wisconsin – from concept request through agency occupancy. He managed the delivery of more than a quarter billion dollars of constructed projects for UW including the $53 million renovation of Witte Hall, the $42 million Gordon Commons, $47 million Dejope & Leopold Residence Halls and $46 million Meat Muscle Science facility. Most recently, Stu has acted as a senior project manager for one of the area’s most active design / build firms. Stu holds a Masters of Architecture degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Most recently, Stu has been promoted to shareholder. He will help shape the company’s strategic direction, drive accountability, and contribute to its health and growth.