Saint John Vianney Church Entry Plaza, San Jose, CA

ROMA designed the new elevated plaza in front of the church of Saint John Vianney in San Jose. The new plaza will serve as a center of community life, bringing together the activities of the St John Vianney K-8 school, community center across the street and the church itself. Plaza features multiple accessible ways to reach it and the church, with low slung stairs and gentle ramps especially accommodating the youngest and the oldest congregation members. The larger area closer to the street provides space for gathering under the canopies of new shade trees and new lighting that allows for nighttime use, while the two areas closer to the church prove quiet space for prayer and meditation. New benches and seat walls create additional opportunity for community social life.