Facts

Location  |  Castroville TX 

Year Completed  |  In Progress

Type of Project  |  Historic Rehabilitation; New Construction

Services Provided  |  Full Architectural Services; Historic Tax Credit Prep

Contractor  |  Drash Contracting Company

Renderings  |  WP Visions

Thoughts

The Dubuis House is located within the downtown Castroville Historic District and was built around 1847 by Father Claude M. Dubuis, and aided by Father Chazelle. Dubuis and eight clerical companions and three future Ursuline Sisters arrived in Texas from France and were assigned to newly established Castroville and surrounding villages to carry out priestly duties. Along with his home, he also built a church building, and a rectory. He is credited with developing the architectural style distinctive to Castroville, which resembles that of Alsatian structures. In the 1960’s a new addition was added to the historic house and the later a detached one car garage structure. After taking ownership of the property, Christus Health commissioned Fisher Heck to rehabilitate the house back to its original footprint, which would allow for a new detached visitor center to be constructed directly behind the house for spiritual retreats. The scale of the visitor center is restrained and is heavily influenced by accessory shed structures that are common in the neighborhood. The space between the two structures will then be transformed into a tranquil courtyard garden space for reflection and prayer.