In the spring of 2012, The Main Company was asked to participate in the design and renovation of the historic Parish Hall at the San Luis Obispo Mission. Heavy timbers and planking to match the SLO Mission church became the primary theme of the project. Project Architect Lara Gough from Studio2G worked with TMC to develop a project sensitive to the budget of the church. Archaeology studies were done, excavations were monitored, all new underground utilities replaced old aging ones.
In a very short time, new meeting spaces, new bathrooms, renovated art works and a remodeled kitchen were completed. Age old methods of wood working such as timber hewing, scroll work and detailed hand painting of 63 band sawed corbels all breathed new life into this historic building. At the end of the project, repairs were done to the plaster covering the 17th century walls and the exterior was re-painted, leaving everything fresh and new. In the courtyard gardens, careful replacement of tired old concrete brought fresh new walking paths. New landscaping lighting, new lawns, and renovated gardens all added to the timeless beauty and enjoyment of being in this historic place.
In the extraordinarily short period of time of 5 months, the project team designed, permitted and executed a very complex design inside an existing building. One of the greatest accomplishments was having it ready to house the homeless in January of 2013.