Madonna Della Strada Chapel Interior Renovation

The Madonna della Strada Chapel of Loyola University (Andrew N. Rebori, architect) was originally built in 1938. At the time, economic constraints dictated simple finishes for its interior. When the Chapel was renovated between 2006-2008, architect Susan van der Meulen worked as part of the Marvin Herman & Associates architectural team to design all new interior elements in the original Art Deco-style. Susan was responsible for 58 interior functional and decorative details needed for the liturgical program, including altar colonnade and railings, tabernacle, Eucharistic lamp, baptismal font, pilasters with up-lighting, donor plaques, ambry cabinet, painting frames, lecterns, and chairs. The scope of the overall renovation also included adding a new raised altar area and updating the building’s mechanical and electrical system. Says Susan van der Meulen, “The project would not have been completed without teamwork. While employed at Marvin Herman—and under his guidance—I designed all the items in the project. All the documentation was drawn by hand.”