Contemplative centre

AVU

Project idea

The idea of the project is to respect the historical context of the site and its surrounding nature. Micropile foundations elevate a light timber structure above the ancient walls of the Cistercian monastery and therefore protects their preserved ruins. The Contemplative centre serves as a refuge for people overwhelmed by today's hasty lifestyle. The wooden materials support the atmosphere for meditation and reconnection with nature.

Project description

The project is located in the Cistercian Abbey Bélapátfalva, in Hungary. The former Cistercian Abbey consisted of a Romanesque church built in the 13th century. During Tatar invasions in the 16th century, the Abbey was burnt down, and the monastery was destroyed. In 1737 the Romanesque church was reconstructed in a Baroque style, while the monastery was never rebuilt again.
The new building stands on the spot of the Cistercian monastery’s preserved ruins. On the northern side, the building is separated from the church by a tiny gap. The passage connecting the sacristy with the south transept is the only place in which the new building touches the church.
The contemplative centre serves as a shelter for people seeking tranquillity and inner strength. Single-storey buildings offer a short-term residence for guests in simple tiny rooms, which are inspired by the monstery "cell". The large multifunctional room, kitchen, refectory, office, meeting spaces and other auxiliary rooms are situated in the south, two storey-building.

Technical information

The building is designed as a timber frame structure due to its low volumetric weight. Its lightness allows the design to be elevated, by micro piles, above the ancient monastery ruins, to protect them.
The burned wooden plank facade recalls the former monastery, which was burned out in the 16th century.
The distribution systems, which include heating, plumbing and electric system, were not dug below the ground level, so to protect the former monastery stone foundations. On the other hand, they were distributed under the elevated ground floor timber platform in an isolated case.

Created in: