In October, Lansing-based design firm, MAYOTTE Group Architects, received the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Mid-Michigan 25 Year Award for its work on the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East Lansing.
The award recognizes excellent in design for buildings constructed more than 25 years ago. The buildings cannot be significantly modified from their original design and
need to be used for their original purpose.
The church has remained virtually untouched since its dedication in 1968. Minor changes have been made to the west end of the church to accommodate the addition of a pipe organ.
“It’s unique in terms of the design,” says MAYOTTE Group owner, Mike Mayotte. “It was created in response to what was going on in Catholic worship at the time.”
Mayotte describes the 40-year-old building as a “modern example of post-Vatican” design. When the church was constructed, it boasted the largest faceted glass window in the world. The window is a mosaic of the life and history of the church.
“It was considered to be a very impressive achievement, especially for Mid-Michigan to have a church with such a gorgeous window,”Mayotte says.
The Mayotte Group has been in the area for more than 50 years and recently designed the $2.5 million renovation of Burcham Hills in East Lansing.
Source: Mike Mayotte, MAYOTTE Group Architects
Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.
Photo courtesy of Mayotte Group
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