Saint Patrick Cathedral Parish Hall
Fort Worth, TX
Expertise
- Faith-Based
Services
- civil engineering
- electrical engineering
- land surveying
- mechanical / plumbing engineering
Size
- 25,400 SF
BHB provided MEP, fire protection and civil engineering design for this three-story, 25,400 SF, $4.5 million Parish Hall in downtown Fort Worth. This building was designed to provide the nearby St. Patrick Cathedral Parish with a modern Parish Hall complete with large first floor multifunction gathering room and full-service kitchen, as well as Parish Offices on the second floor. The third floor includes shell space for future finish out based on Parish needs. The building was designed to complement the three-story Parish House and Cathedral located across the street.
The Parish Hall was designed with a height no taller than existing Parish buildings. This meant that the new building had very shallow floor-to-floor heights and limited ceiling space. Close coordination between all design disciplines was crucial to make sure that ductwork, domestic water piping, electrical conduits and lighting, and sprinkler piping would fit within the structure. Site work included construction of new public sidewalks and street lighting around the facility, new ADA accessibility, and street landscaping. Site work also included private storm drainage, new patio with retaining wall seating and new courtyard on the building’s south side, where an existing building was demolished. New pavement, walks and access drives were constructed where several driveways were demolished. Construction of the new building required closure of an existing alley and relocation of existing telephone and gas mains.
Key People
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John W. (Bill) Baird, Jr., PE, RPLS
John W. (Bill) Baird, Jr., PE, RPLS
Chairman Emeritus | Senior Civil Engineer
John (Bill) Baird has over 50 years of active management, design, estimating, and coordination experience, and is still actively designing and managing projects. He has provided project management and design for many civil engineering projects for various client types, with expertise spanning municipal, industrial, commercial, educational, religious, and institutional projects. His design experience includes extensive site development; streets, roadways, and thoroughfares; bridge and culvert projects; flood control; storm water detention; water distribution and sewage collection; and water and sewage treatment plants.
Bill lives in Burleson with his wife Terresa and enjoys traveling, gardening and, most especially, spending time with his grandchildren.
Project Experience
Catholic Charities of Fort Worth
Fort Worth Country Day Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center
Fort Worth Country Day Sid W. Richardson Visual Arts Center
Granbury Dental Center
Granbury Resort Conference Center
Early Learning Center
Saint Patrick Cathedral Parish Hall
Texas Wesleyan University Rosedale Renaissance
Education
University of Texas at Arlington:
Bachelor’s Degree/1972/Civil Engineering -
Merlin Hampton, PE
Merlin Hampton, PE
Founder | Senior Electrical Engineer
As a youngster, Merlin Hampton was intrigued by electricity. His fascination with electricity helped shape his successful career as an electrical engineer. Merlin has over 45 years of experience in design and project management. He is qualified in all aspects of the electrical engineering profession.
His experience includes healthcare, historical renovation, educational, data processing, religious, industrial, institutional, exterior distribution, and emergency power systems. He was also responsible for the electrical engineering of NASA’s Space Station Control Center in Houston. Merlin is a past board member of the City of Fort Worth’s Electrical Board and the North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Codes Coordinating Committee.
When he’s not working or serving as a board member, Merlin loves reading, downhill skiing, and spending time with his family and wife, Margaret. Merlin also serves as a deacon at his church and volunteers with his wife at Christian Friends of Israel – America. As a former President of the Board, Merlin and his wife have traveled to Israel numerous times over the years to help aid and support Jewish terror victims and Holocaust survivors.
Education
University of Texas at Arlington:
Bachelor’s Degree/1970/Electrical Engineering