New Motherhouse

DRAW Collective was engaged by the Sisters of the Holy Spirit to design the new, 26,000 SF Motherhouse, a residential community with business offices and a Chapel to support the congregation’s mission. Working with the Sisters’ leadership team, their Board, and the Construction Managers, the design process was a collaborative effort to ensure the new building would accommodate the current and long-term future needs of the Sisters while being delivered in an economical and efficient manner.

The building includes a private residential wing opposite a more public area featuring a lobby, dining area, full commercial kitchen, offices spaces, and a chapel. The residential wing features 20 private sleeping rooms enhanced with common areas like living rooms, laundry, and assisted bathing rooms. The typical bedroom suite provides a modest living space for each resident and a bathroom designed to support an aging population. Building systems and interior finishes were selected to support varying mobility and health needs.

The new building’s Chapel is lined with six stained glass windows that were relocated and restored from the century-old former Motherhouse Chapel, providing a familiar link to their origin while looking forward in their mission. The Chapel is adorned with a hand painted Holy Spirit mural behind the altar creating a meaningful and peaceful space for the Sisters to worship.

Special attention was paid during design to create a warm, comfortable, and healing living space for the long-term residents.