ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH
FIRE RESTORATION AND
LITURGICAL RENOVATION
BUILT: 1888
LOCATION: San Francisco, Ca
OWNER: Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco
DESIGNERS: Architectural Resources Group/ Degenkolb Engineers
CONTRACTORS: Mayta Jensen/ Cahill
SQUARE FEET: 9000+
BUDGET: $9,200,000
COMPLETED COST: $8.6 million
PROJECT SCOPE: A candle fire in January 1997, destroyed approximately
90% of the Nave finishes and 70% of the roof structure of this historic
building. A feasibility study was done to evaluate both the relative magnitude
cost and the practicality of reconstructing and restoring the badly damaged
building. The Archdiocese decided to restore the church to all of its former
beauty and glory as well as improve the Church with liturgical and qualitative
upgrades. Only after careful documentation of the decorative finishes did
demolition and smoke encapsulation work commence, preceding the reconstruction.
The fire reconstruction work included new massive wood cut framed roof trusses,
repair of existing roof trusses, new and repaired wall framing, new arch
vaulted ceiling framing, dry rot repairs, and new full span attic catwalk. The
restoration work included new plaster arch vaulted ceilings with plaster cast
and in- situ run ribs, new plaster and repair ornamentation plaster,
consolidation and paint conservation to the south side aisle ceiling,
replication of the detailed trompe l¹oeil gothic tracery on the main ceiling
and north side aisle, replication of the gothic panel trompe l¹oeil in the sanctuary,
replication of the artwork in the sanctuary and nave, replication of the
stencil patterns on walls, gilding of ornamental plaster work, stain glass
conservation and replication and organ pipe façade restoration. The liturgical
and qualitative upgrades included a sanctuary extension, state of the art
lighting and sound system, new steam heating system, new custom pews, new
hardwood floors, expansion and modification of the decorative confessionals,
new decorative chapel screen, modification of the main alter, new unisex
bathroom, new baptismal font, new electronic organ, full handicap
accessibility, new fire sprinkler system, new sacristy cabinetry, adaptive
reuse of the work sacristy to a day chapel, new flower arranging area and new
bell controls. The church reopened within 1 month of schedule.
ROLE: Project Manager/ Owners Representative. Responsible for
the development of the feasibility study, and reconstruction estimate.
Negotiated a cash settlement of approximately 10.5 million dollars (includes
temporary church) with insurance company. Acted as construction manager on
approximately $6 million of the
work. Value engineered and managed almost $1.5 million out of budget with no
scope reductions to allow almost $1 million dollars of liturgical and
qualitative upgrades. Design review. Supervised all phases of construction.
Quality control. Contractor selection and bidding. Acquired permits.
COMPLETION: September 2000
