The new Cistercian Abbey of Saint-Jean-de-Matha is an expression of the harmony and inner simplicity that Cistercian monks seek in their daily lives. At the center of monastic life, meditation, contemplation and prayer take a privileged place.
In keeping with this way of life, the spaces of the new abbey seem to wrap progressively around the cloister and culminate in the church, which becomes the focal point and heart of the project.
The half-open form of the complex naturally suggests the access to the monastery from the pedestrian path along the pond to the north. The extension of the large roof of the church emphasizes the main entrance. Under the roof, a mineral garden takes the place of a forecourt, on the one hand for the church and on the other hand for the guesthouse.
The winding movement is crossed by a semi-public circulation axis from east to west which clearly separates the private spaces of the monastic enclosure from the semi-public spaces. On the north side, it links the hostelry, the church and the library; on the south side, it closes the monastic enclosure and the cloister, around which are distributed the functions devolved exclusively to the Cistercian monks.
This axis stretches linearly on either side of the abbey to lead us to a belvedere to the west and an observatory to the east. On the scale of the site, this gesture contributes to delimit the monks' garden overhanging the escarpment and the guests' garden, on the side of the pond to the north. In these gardens, meditation stations are set up to allow monks and guests to enjoy intimate moments of meditation, in symbiosis with the majestic beauty of the site.
The search for elevation of the soul, in simplicity and harmony, is met by a vertical sequence of materials. On a stone pedestal, imprinted with perennity, in which the community living spaces are contained, is supported by a wooden floor, sheltering the spaces of intimacy and silence. Finally, the glass brings a zenithal light to the spaces of celebration and communion.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
The jury was seduced by the simplicity of the massing, the harmonization of the exterior envelope with the landscape and the warmth of the project's materiality. The human and family dimension of the project was emphasized, as well as the impression that it has emerged from nature itself. The jury appreciated the gesture of keeping the trees on the site, the atmosphere of the cloister and the work done in terms of natural lighting. It was noted that the church seems to be in keeping with the monks' spirit of modesty.
The location of the hostel, free of the spaces reserved for the monks, was also noted. The treatment of the cells and the church was appreciated.
However, the jury expressed reservations about the simplicity of the plan and the parti that seems to depend on the presence of functions in the basement. It also noted that, despite the great sensitivity shown in the form, the plan seemed to lack organizational flexibility. The location of some rooms appeared, at first glance, problematic. The jury emphasized that the objective of sustainable development should be worked on in a more specific way.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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