Beginning in the 1950s, Marcel Breuer collaborated with the Benedictine monks of Collegeville to design 10 buildings, mostly of cast-in-place concrete. VJAA was charged with renovating two: the church and the monastic Chapter House. As part of the project, the firm designed the new Blessed Sacrament Chapel, a room for daily devotions that is lined in oak slats to emulate the texture of Breuer’s millwork. A new two-level lobby addition adds modern amenities, such as wedding facilities.
Jury: “It respects and enhances the spirit and values of the Benedictine monks embodied in the original building, while responding to a new set of goals for the religious community and a variety of code- and system-related improvements.”
Client: “I loved working with VJAA on the project. They are remarkable for their ability to search for primary concepts in the planning of a space. For example, the guesthouse was modeled based on the traditional form of the monastic cloister, which allowed for areas to be active and contemplative.” —Brother Robin Pierzina
For more images, visit ARCHITECT magazine's project gallery.
