Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, Thomas Aquinas College
Duncan Gregory Stroik (born January 14, 1962), usually credited asDuncan G. Stroik, is an American architect, a professor of architecture at theUniversity of Notre Dame School of Architecture, and founding editor of theSacred Architecture Journal. His work continues the tradition ofclassical andPalladian architecture, also known asNew Classical Architecture.[1]
Stroik is considered a leading figure in traditionalRoman Catholicsacred architecture.[2] In his academic work, Stroik has stressed the importance of tradition, and advocates for beauty as the principal standard of architecture.[3] In 2016 Stroik received the Arthur Ross Award for recognition of excellence in the classical tradition.[4]
In 1998, Stroik founded the Institute for Sacred Architecture, a non-profit organization dedicated to a renewal of beauty in contemporary church design. The institute’s principal activity is the twice yearly publication of theSacred Architecture Journal, which is dedicated to an ongoing discussion of current issues in the field of sacred architecture.[5]
In 2020, a renovation of St. Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo, MI, originally designed byRalph Adams Cram in 1951, was completed. The interior modifications intended to elevate the architectural style of the church, which had been designated acathedral in 1971 with the formation of theDiocese of Kalamazoo.
Stroik's classical design reflected elements of the original Gothic style of the cathedral. Renovations included a new marble sanctuary floor,predella,baldacchino, ambo,cathedra, new and restored altars, and an interior decorative paint scheme.[8]
In 2011, the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Sioux Fall, SD, underwent an interior renovation to restore the design to that originally intended by Bishop Thomas O'Gorman andEmmanuel Louis Masqueray, architect of the Cathedral.
A new, circularbaldacchino was built for the main altar featuring four 8,000-lb. marblecomposite columns. The church's stone tile floor was replaced with a decorative marble flooring, and mechanical, electrical, sound, and lighting systems were replaced, including new custom chandeliers replicated from the Cathedral's original design.[9]
Taking inspiration fromEmmanuel Louis Masqueray's original design, Stroik designed a new organ case for theCathedral of Saint Paul inSaint Paul, MN. The new organ case preserved the view of the Cathedral's rose window, and featured 123 new organ ranks. The case was constructed of hand-carved walnut wood with gilded details. Stroik's design featuredSaint Cecilia, patron saint of music, atop a central dome beneath the Cathedral's rose window and flanked by two human-sized angels.[17]
In 2024, Stroik commissioned and produced a new full-length ballet,Raffaella: A New Fairytale Ballet, in honor of his daughter's passing in 2018.[18] The ballet premiered at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Indiana. The piece was choreographed byClaire Kretzschmar, with an original score by Vanderbilt professor Michael Kurek.[19][20]
"Palladio Award" for The Cathedral of Saint Paul Organ Case (2014)Traditional Building Magazine[17]
"Copper in Architecture Award" for the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill. (2014) Copper Development Association, Inc.
"Acanthus Award of Arete" for Restoration and Renovation of The Cathedral of Saint Joseph (2013) Institute of Classical Architecture and Art[26]
"Palladio Award" for Restoration and Renovation of The Cathedral of Saint Joseph (2013)Traditional Building Magazine[27]
"Henry Hering Memorial Medal: Art and Architecture Award" for the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (2012) National Sculpture Society[26]
"Indiana Design Award" for the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (2012) American Institute of Architects, Indiana
"Palladio Award" for New Design & Construction - less than 30,000 sq.ft. for Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (2011)Traditional Building Magazine[28]
"Tucker Design Award" for Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel (2010) Building Stone Institute[29]
"Brick in Architecture Award" for Saint Theresa Education Center (2010) Brick Industry Association
"Indiana Design Award" for Villa Indiana (1998) American Institute of Architects, Indiana
