A PATH OF CONTEMPLATION.

Mariënlof, Abbey of Colen Kerniel (Borgloon).

Groupproject with Dieter Vernijns, Lize Vanhoof and Annelien Swennen. 

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The two main points we kept in mind after visiting the the monastery are the reflect and the cloister, two main functions according to the story of the nun.

These two features we have tried to bring out (quite literally) in our own design. Through a path around the monastery, we want to bring the visitors in touch with the monastery and the different areas and functions. The path is also a form of contemplate in nature, which is broken at a certain point. When walking around the monastery, on the path of reflection you will face the choice to just continue to follow the path, walking into the courtyard of the monastery, or to leave the convent and contemplate behind you and continue walking in the tranquility of nature.

The interruption of the path around the monastery is a minimal intervention for both the building and the landscape. We have laid out a new path that partially hides the landscape. The design of the path is clear drastically in comparison with the site, but by the choice of the material (concrete, mixed with the dark loam soil from the environment), it is yet unobtrusive present in the landscape.