DECEMBER 2015 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \
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T
he historic buildings at the St. John Vianney
Theological Seminary in Denver are an ele-
gant reflection of the contemplative learn-
ing environment of the campus. Although
the buildings are not officially registered as historic
structures, maintaining the character and original ar-
chitectural design intent were primary considerations
when the project team was tasked with modernizing
the campus building systems. The seminary was first
founded as the St. Thomas Theological Seminary in
1908. The buildings were constructed in stages through
the last century and are excellent examples of the ma-
sonry craftsmanship from that period. In 1999, the St. John
Vianney Theological Seminary was founded by the Arch-
diocese of Denver to replace the St. Thomas Theological
Seminary. Since its founding, the seminary has been dedicated to form-
ing priests for the new millennium and offering programs for the for-
mation of permanent deacons and lay faithful.
Challenge
Although some of the buildings’ mechanical and electrical systems
were repaired ormodified tomeet evolving needs over the years, the bulk
of these systems had not been updated or replaced since the buildings
were originally constructed. Therefore, a plan was developed to modern-
ize the campus with updated building systems. However, incorporating
modern building systems into historic structures without compromising
the integrity of the original construction presented the design teamwith
a variety of challenges that required creative solutions.
Solution
The design team’s approach was to investigate available technolo-
gies for potential implementation and to determine the effects of the
new dynamic systems on the historic nature of the buildings. The fol-
lowing solutions were implemented to address some of the project’s
many challenges.
Updating Lighting with Modern Systems.
The updated lighting needed to
preserve the historic character of the buildings, while satisfying other
project requirements such as meeting current life-safety and energy
codes, increasing light levels to meet current Illuminating Engineering
Society recommendations, and standardizing light fixtures for ease of
Historic Denver
Seminary Receives
Upgrades
Rajesh Kaul,
PE, CPD,
LEED AP
Mechanical
Engineer,
The RMH
Group
Photo courtesy Terry Shapiro
