FOR THE PAST 23 YEARS, Michael Franck and Art Lohsen have worked together with a dedicated and talented team of professionals as Franck & Lohsen Architects Inc. creating architecture in the realms of ecclesiastical, residential, university, and urban design.

It has been a source of great joy to have created timeless buildings enjoyed by a wide-range of people — from students to homeowners to worshippers; and fortunate to have wonderful clients who placed their trust and vision in our hands — including the peer recognition of the Arthur Ross Award for our body of work.

This September, Franck & Lohsen Architects, Inc. will transform into two new entities. Michael will assume the helm of residential, hospitality and university commissions with Michael M. Franck Architect LLC. Art will assume the helm of ecclesiastical commissions with Bella Chiesa LLC. and, as always, Michael and Art will continue to work in a collaborative spirit which has been a hallmark of their firm.

We are excited about this next chapter as we continue to create enduring architecture.

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Private Family Chapel

Eastern Shore

Not all projects we take on start from scratch. In fact, many of our projects are additions to a house or in this unique case an addition to a family estate giving us a rare opportunity to contribute to a timeless property.

Located on a private family estate dating back to the 1600’s, the new chapel needed to fit within the existing scale and character of this historic estate. As with the original buildings, the new chapel features handmade brick with special shapes at the water table and the entry surround. The entry recalls features prevalent in other historic churches in the area and boasts brick pilasters with a segmental pediment. True jack arches over the windows and a brick archivolt over the sanctuary window add a feel of authenticity. Other historic details include a graduated slate roof, wood cornice and modillions, paneled shutters, and single pane mahogany windows with restoration glass.

The intimate interior seats between 12 and 18 people. Oak flooring, custom oak paneling and pews, custom altar, and lectern as well as hand hewn trusses add to the historic look and feel of this new chapel. The design team selected and worked with craftsmen and suppliers to ensure all the liturgical decorations and appointments were of the highest quality and in character with the chapel. Custom wood statues by the Italian studio of Ferdinand Stuflesser fill the niches at the sanctuary with color. The Stations of the Cross are presented in renaissance style giclee paintings complimenting the rich statues, by Leonard Porter. A new tabernacle, candlesticks, monstrance, and other liturgical furnishings were selected from the Spanish Company, Granda, and several other suppliers of fine liturgical wares.

The new chapel is thoughtfully placed amongst several dependencies near the main home, and creates and intimate courtyard prior to one entering the chapel. Appropriate landscaping surrounds the chapel and creates a walk way enabling one to fully experience all sides of the new chapel.