Christian Sottile & Matthew Schivera
Transformative Renovation: Regina Coeli Hall
NOVEMBER 21 | 6:00 PM
Historic Savannah Foundation is pleased to host Christian Sottile and Matthew Schivera as the speakers for the November installation of our lecture series, “The People, Stories, and Places that define Savannah.” Sottile and Schivera will present on their recent project and 2024 HSF Preservation Award winner, “Transformative Renovation: Regina Coeli Hall.”
Dedicated in 1876, the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist has stood as a landmark in Savannah’s urban fabric for almost 150 years. Rebuilt and rededicated in 1900 after a fire, the Cathedral was embellished with gilding, murals and expansive stained glass windows. A century later, an extensive interior restoration was completed for the Millennium Jubilee, but the lower level retained dropped ceilings for mechanical equipment, cropped windows and only minimal commercial finishes from a previous repurposing of the space.
Today, a dedicated team of allied artisans have collaborated to create a parish hall and adoration chapel befitting the oldest Cathedral Basilica in the state of Georgia. The existing space was entirely redesigned with a primary focus on traditional craftsmanship and handmade detailing. Talented craftspeople across a variety of disciplines transformed the existing space using time-honored methods of ornamental plaster, decorative painting, and detailed gilding. This significant renovation has created the newly dedicated Regina Coeli Hall, a new space in keeping with the extraordinary material quality, articulation and detailing of the Cathedral above. Entirely new vaulted plaster ceilings, marble from original quarries, oak and walnut flooring, painted and gilded columns and pilasters, and highly decorative ornamental plasterwork reflect the craftsmanship and faithful stewardship of the treasured, historic Cathedral Basilica.
The lecture will take place on Thursday, November 21 at 6:00 pm at HSF headquarters, located at 321 E. York Street, with a social gathering beginning at 5:30 p.m. to meet other HSF members and staff. This event is free for HSF members and $15 for non-members. Members may reserve their spot by emailing Kendall Graham, Education & Research Associate, at kgraham@myhsf.org or calling 912-233-7787. Non-members may purchase their ticket by clicking the button above. Space is limited, so secure your spot today!
CHRISTIAN SOTTILE, FAIA
Christian Sottile is the founding principal of Sottile & Sottile, a Savannah-based firm working primarily in Nationally Registered Historic Districts. The firm’s work includes urban design and civic architecture, and emphasizes historic research, urban analysis and community-wide engagement. Their work has been featured in the New York Times, Preservation Magazine, Architect Magazine and Architectural Digest.
Concurrently with his professional practice, Sottile is a professor of architecture and urban design at the Savannah College of Art and Design and is the former dean of the SCAD School of Building Arts. In this role, Sottile led the graduate and undergraduate programs in Architecture, Architectural History, Historic Preservation, Interior Design, Furniture Design and Urban Design.
Sottile & Sottile have received over fifty awards for their work, including three international Charter Awards from the Congress for the New Urbanism, awards from the American Planning Association, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, three National Honor Awards from the American Institute of Architects and the Global Award for Excellence from the Urban Land Institute.
MATTHEW SCHIVERA
Matthew Schivera is the Vice President of West Construction Company and focuses on estimating project management, and preconstruction. Matthew is originally from Savannah, GA, and is a graduate of Benedictine Military School and Furman University. He has estimated and managed hundreds of successful projects in his career and enjoys a reputation as a value-focused and thoughtful advocate for the client’s best interest. Some of the clients on his resumes include Critz Automotive Group, The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, Kimpton Hotels, Crescent Resources, The Savannah College of Art and Design, Gulfstream Aerospace, and others.
Matthew is active in the community and in his church, including:
Member, Union Mission Board of Directors
Alumni, Leadership Savannah
Member, Savannah Quarterback Club
Member of the Rotary Club of Savannah
Past Member, Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors
Parishioner of The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
Matthew is married to Casey Schivera, and the father to a daughter, Henley, and a son, Chapman.
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