Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the Sept. 30, 2004 edition of the Inland Register)

Architect Ann Martin utilized a curved radius to match design requirements to the landscape for the new St. Anne Children and Family Center. (IR graphic from Catholic Charities)

Enthusiasm personified – that’s the phrase that describes architect Ann Martin when she’s talking about the new St. Anne Children and Family Center she designed for Catholic Charities.

“It’s such a fun project!” the designer said. “I enjoyed it thoroughly.”

This is not to say that there were no difficulties. The site was challenging; it was tricky to fit the square footage to accommodate 200 children.

“That’s what led to the curved form,” said Martin. “We optimized the site by using the curved radius.”

And of course there were the standards of the Department of Childcare to meet, not to mention the high expectations of both Catholic Charities and Sacred Heart Medical Center. SHMC will house Cuddles ’n’ Care, a daycare for mildly sick children, in the facility.

Beyond meeting the regulations, the goal, according to Martin, was “to create a sunny space for kids. That was also the goal with the art and furnishings, so that the whole place is light and airy.”

“We went for volume, with high ceilings and natural lighting,” she said. “Then we made the walls low to enhance the visuals; parents can look in and see their children, and the kids can look out and see people, too.”

In addition to expressing delight in the building itself, the architect has plenty of good things to say about her client.

“Working with Catholic Charities has been simply the best. It couldn’t have been a more positive experience, and that was due to their willingness to work with us, to put faith in me and in Garco Construction. The trust level among client, architect and contractor was the highest I’ve ever experienced.”

The blending of energies among the groups and individuals involved has contributed to the excitement about the new facility.

Martin says the goodwill has been a real asset in achieving her goal of creating “a space that is very welcoming, someplace that is so much fun parents would say, ‘This is cool—I want my kid to be here.’”