Our Process

In 2005, disaster struck the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Katrina made landfall and left nothing but destruction in her path. The state of Louisiana was faced with challenges that would affect every aspect of its residents’ lives. The St. Bernard Parish School District was left with a number of buildings that needed repair.

The St. Bernard Parish Lacoste 9th Grade Academy in Chalmette started their reconstruction shortly after the hurricane. The building was designed by Lachin Oubre and Associates in Louisiana. The project included the educational building and the field house. The educational building is three-stories tall and overall, 57,000 square foot. It included science and computer labs, classrooms, staff lounges, and administrative offices. The field house is a one-story building that is shared with the high school. It houses a gym, fitness area, wrestling gym, and natatorium with an Olympic sized pool. The front of the building is enhanced with a large circular glass block column. The project came back to life with a partnership between Lachin Oubre and Associates Architects, Landis Construction, Rush Masonry, and GBA Architectural Products + Services.

Lachin Oubre Associates is a third-generation architect firm that has been in business for 70 years. They serve greater New Orleans and across the gulf coast. Lachin worked closely with St. Bernard Parish School District on their administrative building, Chalmette High School athletic facility and many others. Rush Masonry, founded in 1989, provided their expertise in masonry, stone, and waterproofing.

When GBA got involved with the project we collaborated on design and details and subsequently creating the shop drawings. We gave pertinent direction through shop drawings on all dimensioning and detailing for the two-story radius at the front of the school and all other glass block openings. Proper dimensioning and anchoring were critical to allow independent movement from the surrounding substrates. Following all manufacturer specification is second nature to us after 40 years in the industry.

The transparent block used allowed a view of the inside of the building with its architectural spiral staircase. During the evening hours it was a welcoming beacon for the neighborhood clearly accounting “we’re back and better than ever.” The view through the detailed spiral staircase showed the colorful and vibrant community outside.

Architect
Lachin-Oubre & Associates
Customer
Rush Masonry
Product
8" x 8" x 4" Vue Glass Block

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What Customers Say

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"Work was done very professionally with outstanding quality.  Your crews were very attentive to detail & made sure to protect surrounding work surfaces from damage.  They communicated well with my field team to ensure we & the Owner were satisfied with the end product.  Job well done." - Russell Stafford, RNGD A Palmisano Company

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"We were lucky to have GBA on our project at Lutheran East High School. From the front office to the field supervision and crew were very knowledgeable with our project. Took extra care not to damage the building during demolition. The quality of materials and their labor force was top-notch." — Peter Powell, Carey Construction Group

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"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the glass block at Lutheran East High School and have received many compliments on the design. The glass block windows give the building a nice “pop” of color on the exterior each side of the gym and helped to maintain the identity of the school." - Rick Jozity, Meraki Architects, L.L.C 

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"I saw the final glass block wall in person and it really is a work of art. We are so grateful for your team’s hard work on this." – Crister Cantrell, Gensler

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"As the Senior Project Manager for the general contracting company responsible for completing all aspects of the historical restoration, structural rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse modifications to the derelict Triboro tuberculosis hospital, one of the most difficult challenges was finding capable and qualified subcontractors for the key restoration trades that are both committed to quality construction and respectful of the historical restoration process.  I am lucky enough to have worked with GBA on previous successful projects and was glad to bring them into this project.  GBA provided the essential expertise and quality craftsmanship that this project needed and was a reliable partner helping us convert the Triboro Tuberculosis Hospital into the T Building Residence." – Senior Project Manager, Bill Harwood for the GC, Mega Contracting

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"On behalf of me, my project manager and CGC; I would like to reach out to applaud the quality and workmanship of the crew sent out to do the glass block wall outside of the theater here in Hudson. Dan and Nate went above and beyond to keep their work area organized and clean, even protected our finish trim and VWC in the mixing area with plastic. If only more companies active on site would follow in your companies steps these buildings would be cut and dry and run very efficiently. Thank you! - Jake M. Behler, Cameron General Contractors