Holly & Smith Architects 2024 in Review
AND LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025
As the architecture world continues to evolve, 2024 marked another chapter of growth and accomplishment for Holly & Smith Architects. We are proud to have completed an array of impactful projects, including the Nunez Community College Student Testing and Career Counseling Center, the NOPD 4th District Police Station, the Louisiana Lottery Headquarters, and the Louisiana National Guard Readiness Center in Lake Charles. Additional milestones included the completion of the Covington High School Classroom Additions (Phase 2), Claiborne 1st and 7th Floor Renovations (Conference Center), Baronne Street Hotel, Celeste Landing, Tabor
Dermatology, Avoyelles Public Charter School Outdoor Fitness, and projects for Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Champ Cooper Middle School was also professionally photographed in 2024.
Additionally, over the past year, H/S has conducted in-depth investigations of St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, uncovering masonry foundations and collaborating with UNO’s School of Archaeology to involve students in excavation and analysis. These efforts, alongside evaluations of the building’s exterior elements, have informed the restoration’s scope
Looking forward, 2025 holds the promise of even more exciting ventures and opportunities for H/S.
Nunez Community College Student Testing and Career Counseling Center
The newest facility on Nunez Community College’s Chalmette campus is open following a ribbon cutting ceremony July 30, 2024 for the Student Testing & Career Counseling Center. Nunez Community College, aiming to establish a bold new identity and a student-centered welcoming facility, has developed a comprehensive building program that includes career counseling, testing services, meeting and training spaces, and a café.
Landis Construction was the General Contractor for the project. Consultants include Schrenk Endom & Flanagan, LLC (civil, structural), Crumb Engineering LLC (mechanical), and Creative Engineering Group (electrical).
NOPD 4th District Police Station
Completed June 2024, this 18,600sf two-story police headquarters replaced original facilities that were no longer able to service the needs of the community. These spaces can be used by the community enforcing the mission of CommunityOriented Policing and neighborhood engagement.
Smith Construction Company was the General Contractor for the project. Consultants include Julien Engineering & Consulting, Inc. (civil, structural), and Lucien T. Vivien, Jr. & Associates Inc. (MEP engineering).
HOLLY
Louisiana Lottery Headquarters Renovation
Completed March 2024, this interior renovation of the Louisiana Lottery Headquarters transformed a dated office building into a vibrant, modern workspace. The renovation aimed to align the office design with the company’s branding and accommodate new work styles, including hybrid work, collaboration, and transparency.
Wesley Construction was the General Contractor for the project. Project team included Frost Barber (Furniture Vendor), AOS (Furniture Vendor) and Parish Engineering (MEP engineering).
Covington High School Classroom Building Expansion
Completed November 2024, this 2-story, 70,000sf addition was significant to the high school. The new addition replaced 28 existing modular classroom buildings and created a new eastern campus edge contiguous to the original 1970’s main classroom building. We can’t wait to get this project professionally photographed.
Frank A. Anzalone was the General Contractor for the project. Consultants include Kyle Associates LLC (civil), Salas O’Brien, LLC (mechanical), Morphy Makofsky, Inc. (structural), and Creative Engineering Group (electrical).
St. Louis Cathedral’s Restoration
Over the past year, Holly & Smith Architects conducted in-depth investigations of St. Louis Cathedral’s construction as part of its anticipated restoration. Earlier this year, four masonry foundation locations were uncovered and reviewed by architects, engineers, and geologists to evaluate the original footings. With support from UNO’s School of Archaeology, students participated in excavation and analysis as part of their curriculum. Additional evaluations of the exterior, including slate roofs, copper flashings, stucco facades, and stained glass windows, provided a comprehensive understanding of the restoration scope. The project has now entered the Schematic Design Phase, with Bid Documents for the exterior restoration expected by the end of 2025.
Further information on this story can be found here: UNO Professor Ryan Gray Excavates In St. Louis Cathedral: ‘It really is a one-of-a-kind project’ | The University of New Orleans
Champ Cooper Middle School Additions Phase 1
Completed in late 2023, this project was professionally photographed in 2024. The new classroom addition on Champ Cooper paved the way for an excellent start to the school year, reflecting the remarkable growth of the community. The Champ Cooper School Classroom building is a 22,060sf one-story building that is the first of three phases to the school campus. Providing the students with this new learning environment adds to our excitement, ensuring they have an enriching and collaborative space to engage in their studies.
Frank A. Anzalone General Contractor, Inc. was General Contractor for the project. Consultants include Fox-Nesbit Engineering, LLC (civil, structural), M & E Consulting, Inc (MEP engineering), & Futch Design Associates, Inc. (food facility designer).
Tabor Dermatology Clinic
Completed May 2024, this new multi-tenant commercial development includes a 3,800 sf dermatology office while also providing an additional 1,380 sf of tenant build-out space for a future business. Consultants include Fox-Nesbit Engineering, LLC (civil, structural) and Crumb Engineering (MEP engineering).
Brothers of the Sacred Heart Provincial Headquarters
Completed in September 2024, H/S in collaboration with Studio MV renovated a 1960s Baptist Church on Elysian Fields as the Provincial Headquarters for the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. A new conference room was added to the Chapel Nave, preserving its openness and transparency to the courtyard. The project also includes offices and a historical archives display area. Landis was the General Contractor for the project. Consultants include Lagniappe Consultants (MEP engineering) and Schrenk Endom & Flanagan, LLC (structural engineering).
Lake Charles National Guard
Readiness Center
In October 2024, the Louisiana National Guard celebrated the opening of a new 60,391-square-foot Readiness Center at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles, replacing a facility in use since the 1950s. Designed for the 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, the center will serve over 200 soldiers with state-of-the-art technology for training, administration, and disaster response planning. Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux praised the facility as a lasting resource, supporting the readiness and resilience of Louisiana’s soldiers. M. D. Descant was the General Contractor for the project. Project team included CSRS (civil), and Fox-Nesbit Engineering, LLC (structural).
Celeste Street Landing
Completed August 2024, Celeste Landing in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District combines historic preservation and modern design to create 46 affordable housing units for families earning up to 80% of the area median income. The project revitalizes a historic warehouse while adding a complementary modern extension, maintaining architectural harmony. With functional, accessible units and communal spaces, it addresses the city’s housing needs while honoring its heritage. Cobalt Construction was the General Contractor for the project. Consultants include MMI, Inc.(civil, structural).
Baronne Street Hotel
Completed October 2024, the Baronne Street Hotel is a boutique, 3-unit hotel in Central City, New Orleans, designed to accommodate large groups or families with spacious eight-bedroom units for up to 18 guests. Featuring vibrant interiors, curated art, and an outdoor terrace with a pool, it offers a stylish and relaxing stay. The design blends modern architecture with the historic charm of New Orleans, inspired by traditional side-hall townhouses and reflecting the city’s unique spirit. JLV Construction was the General Contractor for the project. Consultants include Fox-Nesbit Engineering (civil, structural) and ADG Engineering, New Orleans (MEP engineering).
Avoyelles Public Charter School Outdoor Fitness
Completed August 2024, this project added three tennis courts with striping for six pickleball courts, along with spectator seating for tournaments. It also includes a shaded outdoor fitness area for the middle and high school physical fitness programs. Skip Converse, Inc. was the General Contractor for the project. Consultants include Fox-Nesbit Engineering, LLC (civil) and Parish Engineering, LLC (MEP engineering).
Recognition and Accomplishments: A Year to Remember
In 2024, the H/S team celebrated several noteworthy achievements. Mary Mowad Guiteau was honored with the Tangipahoa Chamber Annie Award and graduated from New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI), Brooke Bergeron participated in Leadership Tangipahoa, Brittany Olivier earned her MBA, and Avery Fournet achieved LEED Green Associate certification.
The year also brought recognition at the AIA Baton Rouge Rose Awards, with the LSU Barnes Ogden Art and Design Complex earning the prestigious Gold Rose Award, and the Kentwood Library Branch and Stoa Group Headquarters receiving Silver Rose Awards
Additionally, Chapter IV was honored with the IIDA Interior Design Excellence Award
Looking Forward to 2025 with H/S
Exciting Construction Ahead: What’s Set to Be Completed in 2025
Looking ahead, several noteworthy projects are set for completion in 2025, including D. Vickers Hall at Southeastern Louisiana University, Our Lady of Lourdes Church Adaptive Reuse – Event Venue, Brasuell Pediatrics, Olivier Orthodontics, Claiborne State Office Building 1st & 7th Floors Renovation, Rapides Parish School System Horseshoe Elementary, Freyhan Building, and Loranger Library.
Groundbreaking Ventures: What’s Kicking Off in 2025
As we step into 2025, we eagerly anticipate breaking ground on projects such as the LNG Lafayette Readiness Center, St. Helena Library, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Engineering Building, Southern University of New Orleans Nursing and Allied Health Building, Covington High School Prostart Classroom Renovations, RPSS Nachman Elementary Addition, RPSS Cherokee Elementary Addition, RPSS Brame Middle School Improvements, North Oaks Medical Center Physical Therapy, Tangipahoa Parish Government Housing Amite and Brother Martin Farley Field / Ridgley Center Renovations.
AIA Baton Rouge Rose Awards
Leadership Tangipahoa Graduation Ceremony
D. Vickers Hall at Southeastern Louisiana University
LNG Lafayette Readiness Center
Our Lady of Lourdes Church Adaptive Reuse –Event Venue
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Engineering Building
Brasuell Pediatrics
Southern University of New Orleans Nursing and Allied Health Building
Claiborne State Office Building 1st & 7th Floors Renovation St. Helena Library
Tangipahoa Chamber Annie Awards Ceremony