Location – Connemara, Ireland
Status – Under Construction
Value – Undisclosed

A new benedictine monastery and retreat centre on the edge of Pollacappul Lough in Connemara, Ireland.

The monastery is arranged around an enclosed cloister and garth.  Three sides of the cloister closest to the lake edge are single story to minimise the building’s impact on the shoreline, while the fourth side to the west is a three storey block.  The south and east sides of the cloister house the public program and in doing buffer the enclosed monastery.  The three storey block is stepped and broken by a large central volume that marks the nuns entrance.

Key elements such as the bell tower, welcome area and guest living quarters are given emphasis by pushing their volumes above the single storey height.

A colonnade runs the entire length of the east side, providing a sheltered connection between the main entrance and the existing chapel.

The building has clearly defined public and enclosed elements and the overall composition leans away from the lake edge.