Project: St. Vincent de Paul Family Life Center
Project Location: Wildwood, FL
Designer: Brenna Milne
Design Firm: RLF

Four Tableaux Veneer panels each in our standard poplar U-Channel framing make up this striking backlit cross design.

Senior Interior Designer Brenna Milne with RLF Architects contacted Tableaux about a House of Worship design project in Wildwood, FL. Brenna provided Tableaux with a concept photo and preliminary elevations.

Q: With regard to design, what were the needs and expectations of your client for this project?

It was important for the interior design of the Family Life Center to align with the general aesthetics of the Parish’s adjacent Church, which had a modern and elegant style. The project was also replacing the Parish’s existing Family Life Center, so it was important to pay homage to elements from the existing building which was being replaced. One of those elements were the reuse of cast stained glass panels in the chapel. However, we also wanted to incorporate a design element with a similar language in the main Pre-Function space upon entry. This is where Tableaux Grilles were incorporated.

Tableaux provided a preliminary drawing showing the two different sizes of grilles needed to create a clever illusion of a cross.

Preliminary drawing for Tableaux Decorative Grille at St. Vincent de Paul Family Life Center

Q: What challenges did you face in meeting the design goals of this project?

The main challenge we faced with this particular feature of the project was detailing the back lighting so that the light source was concealed from different perspectives within the space. We worked in collaboration with Tableaux’s team, the project’s Millwork and General Subcontractor, as well as our interior design and electrical designers to achieve the final design.

After a technical review call between Tableaux and RLF, additional installation details were confirmed and Tableaux was able to create a shop drawing illustrating how all the separate pieces would join with wood framing to complete the overall cross design.

Shop drawing of Tableaux Decorative Grilles for the St. Vincent de Paul Family Life Center

Tableaux also created a drawing to help installers understand how the framing was intended to be assembled and securely attached to the walls. Details of how the framing came together can be seen in the photos below.

Q: How did Tableaux Decorative Grilles help meet the design goals and vision for this project?

Tableaux Panels were incorporated at a feature wall which is located at the initial greeting and gathering area. It enabled the design team to pay homage to existing stained glass that is being reused elsewhere in the building. The pattern specified was reminiscent of patterns seen in stained glass. We detailed the panels to be backlit, to replicate light filtering through stained glass and also organized the panels so that the reveals between 4 panels created the shape of a cross. The final design is stunning and brings such beauty to this space.

The Bishop celebrated Mass and blessed the New Family Life Center. Photo by Glenda Meekins, The Diocese of Orlando

RLF is a fully-integrated team of architects, engineers, interior designers and planners that shares a passion for creating exceptional spaces through architecture.

St. Vincent de Paul Family Life Center is expansion project for the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wildwood, FL. The Family Life Center will include a social hall, a catering kitchen, library, religious gift store, meeting rooms and administrative offices.

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