Local architecture firm Holly and Smith has been chosen to design Loyola’s new Jesuit Center.
The firm has been based out of Hammond for the last thirty years and recently opened an office in New Orleans.
Holly and Smith architects have worked on numerous academic, governmental, commercial and religious institutions across southeast Louisiana.
Projects similar to Loyola’s Jesuit Center include Fayard Hall at Southeastern Louisiana University and the redesign of the interior of the Saint Scholastica Academy Chapel in Covington.
The Tom Benson Jesuit Center will serve as the center for spiritual life on Loyola’s campus, addressing all facets of what it means to be a Jesuit and Catholic university. One plan is to use part of the building to house the department of Mission and Ministry. It will also be home to a new chapel on campus.
“We are contacting the constituents now, trying to figure out what the needs are. There will be lounge areas and office space; overall it’ll be the place where the life of mission and ministry happen,” said Laura Quigley, assistant director of University Ministry.
“When I first heard about it becoming a Jesuit center, I was hoping it would be a place like the JCC, where a lot of focus is on fitness. I don’t think that’s the direction that they are going, but it’ll still be cool,” said Chelsea Dellaripa, visual arts senior.
“I’m really excited about it. I think it’s awesome that it’s happening, and that Tom Benson is the one that provided the money for it,” said Crystal LoCicero, accounting sophomore.
This isn’t the only project that Holly and Smith will be working on at Loyola. They also were chosen to handle the Monroe Hall renovation and expansion project earlier this year.
“I think they are a good firm to do it. If they are confident enough to tackle the Monroe project, the Jesuit Center shouldn’t be a problem,” said LoCicero.
The center will provide for the Loyola community and the greater New Orleans community as a whole.
Haley Summers can be reached at
A conceptual drawing of the Jesuit Center Chapel. Plans for the renovation include a new chapel to replace the one in Bobet Hall. (Courtesy of Loyola University New Orleans)
