Bass Architects, Chartered – residential and commercial architectural firm in McLean, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C.

RELIGIOUS PORTFOLIO

Catholic Information Center
Washington, D.C.

An institution in downtown Washington, DC for 42 years, the Catholic Information Center serves as bookstore, chapel and meeting place for Catholics working in Washington.

These magnificent stained glass windows, newly commissioned for this site, facilitate the transition from the bookstore to the sacred space of the Chapel, which is dedicated to St. Josemaria Escriva.

The Altar and the tabernacle table in the Chapel are both fabricated from Verde Guatemala marble with limestone pedestals. The flooring in the Sanctuary is wood parquet; the columns are lacquered with gold leaf trim.

The city location of the Catholic Information Center required some clever architectural detailing. Since the nave is overlooks and alley, stained glass and wrought iron screens are used to block the view on the lower part of the windows, allowing in light and enhancing rather than detracting from the space.

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Photos by Alan Karchmer