WSU chapel wins national award for design

The Wright State Catholic community’s on-campus chapel, the St. John Bosco Chapel, won a design award from the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Ohio Chapter.

The award will be presented at the AIA Ohio Valley Regional Convention  in Louisville, KY on Sept.19, according to WSU Communications and Marketing.

The project cost $1 million to build and was much needed, according to Rev. Edward Burns.

“We are very happy with it,” Burns said. “It is wonderful to have the building. It is a big improvement from the last one, which was 40 years old and way too small.”

The Toledo, OH architectural firm The Collaborative submitted the design of the chapel to the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

“I think a couple hundred other buildings were up for the award and only about three or four won,” said Burns. “The award is recognizing that the building’s design is befitting the work that is done here.”

The building is open to anyone willing to use it, Burns said.

“Other religious groups can use our chapel,” said Burns. “We frequently have student organizations using our rooms and the kitchen.”

Senior and ministry team leader Erin Maag said she was happy to see the chapel receive the award.

“I’m ecstatic about it,” said Maag, “I’m happy that the chapel is getting recognized, as well as WSU and Ohio in general.”

Representatives of the chapel will be attending an AIA regional convention.