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Benet Hall at Saint Joseph Abbey + Seminary College

St. Benedict, Louisiana

Benet Hall consisted of a historic renovation and restoration of a 1960 Mid-Century Modern Theater for Saint Joseph Abbey + Seminary College, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It stands as a testament to theological education, nurturing both students and seminarians alike, fostering their intellectual and spiritual growth.

The building underwent a transformative renovation in response to various significant factors: a catastrophic flood in 2016, a notable increase in enrollment in 2009, and long-term deferred maintenance. In response, our team sensitively addressed all storm-related damages while reimagining the space to better reflect the institution’s mission.

Built in the late 1950’s and recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, the thea

ter was thoughtfully restored to now accommodate academic lectures, musical performances, graduations, and other events while honoring its original architectural details. Additionally, the space was strategically reimagined to include expanded restrooms to meet current plumbing codes, an expanded lobby, creation of a new gift shop / monastic museum, and a welcome center for visitors.

Coordination with regulatory authorities was crucial, as the theater qualified for federal and state historic tax credit programs. By preserving the original mid-century campus features, we have not only returned the space to its intended use but also enhanced its functionality and restored its historic significance.

Benet Hall is the recipient of the 2024 AIA New Orleans Design Award for Adaptive Reuse / Renovation.

Resource Bank

New Orleans, Louisiana

VergesRome Architects served as Architect of Record for Resource Bank’s main Southshore location, an 18,000 SF new construction branch strategically located at the high-visibility corner of Tchoupitoulas Street. This relocation from Downtown New Orleans marks a significant expansion of the bank’s presence, with this building serving both its commercial client banking and commercial lending divisions.

Designed to echo the industrial aesthetic of the surrounding warehouse neighborhood near the Port of New Orleans, the building’s material palette—brick cladding, expansive glazing, and masonry details—pays homage to the historic fabric of the area. Our goal was to craft a structure that feels contemporary yet contextually respectful, fitting seamlessly within the corridor of masonry buildings that buffer the Uptown Historic District from the indust

rial riverfront.

The interior features a dramatic central atrium with terrazzo flooring, a custom chandelier, and a prominent open stair connecting public-facing functions with executive spaces above. On the banking side, the program includes six private offices for the lending team and three for the branch staff. A penthouse-level boardroom offers panoramic views of the Mississippi River and serves as a dedicated meeting space.

Two upper floors were designed for future tenant occupancy. A local dental practice seized the opportunity to buildout their new offices on the second level, also designed by VergesRome. The third floor is designed as an office space. A two-lane drive-thru, finished with a hipped metal canopy and accent brackets, offers banking convenience while mirroring the architectural language of the main building.

The site, once a vacant lot, now supports stormwater management through permeable paving in the parking areas. Close coordination with the client throughout the design and construction process ensured the final result was aligned with their operational needs and long-term vision. The project also required engagement with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), as the site borders the Uptown New Orleans National Historic District.

Croatian Cultrual Pavillion

Belle Chasse, Louisiana

The Croatian Cultural Pavilion opened its doors in 2023 as the home of the Croatian American Society. The Great Hall can comfortably seat 140 guests using in-house amenities. With additional vendor rentals, the space can seat up to 200 people. The 3,600 SF outdoor pavilion is a comfortable space for community gatherings and events. The maximum capacity for the property is 800 people.

A notable part of the programming was the importance of the oyster grilling kitchen space. Chefs and volunteers work together in an assembly-line style to quickly prepare hundreds of char-grilled oysters during events. The Croatian House hosts the annual Croatian Fest, a lively celebration of the culture featuring traditional dances, oysters, local seafood, Croatian beer and wine, and historical displays.

Society members gathered and installed thousands of oyster shells on an entire wall, highlighting the significance of the staple of the Croatian American heritage. In addition, another kitchen was designed and built for the Croatian community to facilitate dinners and social events amongst their community. Architectural inspiration stems from the cultural heritage of the Croatian homeland, utilizing exterior stone and reclaimed timber to capture the character of Croatian architecture.

The Croatian Cultural Pavilion is a visible display of the society’s prominence, and is a catalyst to further unify and expand the sense of pride within the community.

Tulane University James W. Wilson Center

New Orleans, Louisiana

VergesRome Architects provided architectural design services for the Phase 2 renovations of the James W. Wilson Center, home to Tulane University’s football program on the Uptown New Orleans Campus. This strategic interior renovation focused on modernizing key athletic and administrative spaces to better support recruiting, training, and day-to-day operations.

Central to the scope was the reorientation and renovation of the football team meeting room — a high-use space reimagined for better functionality and comfort. The upgrade introduced theater-style seating to create a more ergonomic and professional atmosphere for team meetings.

The existing football offices received comprehensive enhancements, including new carpet, fresh paint, updated ceiling systems, lighting improvements, and new furnishings. The layout of the offices remained unchanged to maintain operational continuity, with balcony access preserved as originally designed.

The Head Coach’s office was renovated to reflect the leadership role it represents. The space was updated with new furnishings, enhanced technology and A/V capabilities, and an improved private restroom, creating a more polished and functional environment that also supports recruiting efforts. The main reception area was transformed into a designated recruiting space, creating a welcoming first impression for prospective student-athletes and their families.

These focused renovations represent a significant investment in the program’s continued growth and success, blending thoughtful design with practical upgrades that reflect Tulane Athletics’ commitment to excellence.

Tulane University Football Lockerroom

New Orleans, Louisiana

Our transformation of the Tulane University Football Locker Room aimed to elevate and align the team’s off-field environment to match its on-field expertise. Our focus was on modernizing the locker room with new state-of-the-art ventilated lockers, ensuring all sports gear stays dry and air quality is the best it can be.

To achieve this level of airflow, the locker room was outfitted with enough mechanical power to move an Olympic swimming pool of air every seven minutes!

Additionally, the hydrotherapy room was upgraded and equipped with new hot and cold plunge pools along¬side a cutting-edge unweighting treadmill, facilitating athlete recov¬ery in an anti-gravity setting. These enhancements bring Tulane University’s athletic recovery program up to par with national standards, setting the stage for continued success in the years ahead.

The Exchange Pickleball & Entertainment Venue

One of the first pickleball venues to be built in New Orleans, The Exchange blends history with community vibrancy.

VergesRome Architects re-imagined the 24,000 SF industrial warehouse into a multi-functional, state-of-the-art, recreational facility that now houses 6 indoor courts, 1 outdoor court, 2 bars with lounge and dining areas, a full-service kitchen, and an expansive outdoor patio lounge.

The building’s interior design is inspired by design trends from the 1960’s, when Pickleball was invented. Teal, salmon, and green hues add captivating focal points, while curvilinear millwork and vintage wood finishes further evoke the era’s style, paying homage to its timeless charm.
In contrast, the courts are simplified to light, bright walls, and vibrant court striping to assist in the visibility of the Pickleball itself.

Saint Joseph Abbey & Seminary College: Flood Recovery Projects

BENEDICT, LA

VergesRome Architects assisted the Saint Joseph Abbey and Seminary College (SJASC) with recovery efforts following the March 11, 2016 flooding of the Bogue Falaya River that inundated most buildings on the 1,200 acre campus with nearly two feet of water.

SJASC incurred major disruption and more than 30 buildings and structures were damaged, with total losses estimated to exceed $30 million. The event was declared a major disaster by FEMA-4263-DR-LA on 03-13-2016. SJASC is a non-profit applicant for FEMA Public Assistance (PA) and 404 Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs (HMPGP) grants.

The design and procurement of temporary modular facilities was accomplished in 3 months, allowing the seminarians to continue their studies in the 2016-2017 school year. The Flood Recovery Projects at Saint Joseph Abbey and Seminary College included a total of 9 different buildings.

Energy Centre: Renovation & Window Replacement

NEW ORLEANS, LA

Energy Centre, built in the mid-1980’s, is one of New Orleans’ premier office towers, located on Poydras Avenue. This 41-story office tower suffered severe damage from Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, when the building racked, causing glazing in areas to pop out as well as resulting in the deformation of the window framing systems. The entire tower was surveyed and a majority of the glazing systems required replacement to accommodate the current racking of the tower.

Floors 1-7 received new missile impact-resistant frames and glazing, while the entire ground level was enhanced by a design program to incorporating additional security measures and protection for future storms. Completed in 2010, the complex $18.4 Million project required careful coordination with facility personnel and tenants, as the window retrofits required working from both the interior and the exterior.

McNeese Health and Human Performance Building – Hurricane Recovery

LAKE CHARLES, LA

The team of Page + VergesRome Architects was chosen to restore the Health and Human Performance building at McNeese State University from damages from Hurricane Laura.  The 165,000 SF building lost 75% of the roof during the storm.  Additionally, the building sustained substantial damage to exterior walls, losing major sections of the wall system.  The damage extended throughout the building and allowed water to infiltrate from all sides. 

Within days of being selected for this project, the Page +VRA team was onsite assessing the damage and putting together the restoration plans and specifications. The restoration project was designed for completion in phases, starting with a Roofing contract. The first Phase provided Emergency Roof Repairs, required to prevent further water intrusion damage. Bid documents for the Emergency Roof Repairs, delivered within 14 days of award of the project, called for critical portions of the roof to be made watertight within two weeks of the commencement of the work. Completion of Phase One repairs allowed the commencement of the exterior and interior restoration work scope in Phase Two. Phase Two work focused on completion of the building envelope repairs and the interiors, with extensive replacement of finishes, environmental remediation and HVAC repairs to ensure proper operation, comfort and indoor air quality.

AOS Offices Renovation

New Orleans, Louisiana

VergesRome Architects was retained by AOS to design their new flagship office in downtown New Orleans in 2001. The design intent was to accommodate future growth for the company, while balancing workplace and showroom. The new office spaces showcased the interior systems furnishings and planning services AOS provides, inspiring both designers and clients.

In 2017, AOS had the opportunity to expand their offices. VergesRome Architects and Eskew Dumez Ripple collaborated to update the AOS offices to correspond to current design trends and showcase the potential of DIRTT wall systems. The 8,453 sf space again artfully balances workspace and showroom, and capitalizes on stunning downtown New Orleans views.

2018 AIA Honor Citation for the Gulf Coast Region

2018 IIDA Delta Regional Chapter Award of Excellence

2018 USGBC Louisiana Chapter Award

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