ASTOC: extension of hamborn abbey

‘extension of hamborn abbey’ by ASTOC, duisberg, germany image © christa lachenmaier, cologne all images courtesy of ASTOC architects and planners, cologne

german architectural practice ASTOC has completed the ‘extension of hamborn abbey’ a monastery located within the industrial city of duisberg, germany. comprised of twenty five canons, the residents of this thriving abbey are provided views of their courtyard garden and vegetated surroundings through a folded glass facade. conceptually derived from one of the abbey’s omnipresent ideals ‘community inside and community outside’, the interior arrangement fosters a collective monastic atmosphere. the facade’s irregular folded geometry responds to the encompassing urban development and generated guidelines from heights of the complex’s existing buildings. a row of columns continues from the existing colonnade to bound the garden.

entry elevation image © christa lachenmaier, cologne

meals are conducted within the refectory and prayers are held within the church, gathering areas intended to promote communication while providing additional spaces for silence and worship. a residential wing contains a sacral chamber, offices, and a recreation room with large doors leading to the garden, terraces and patio. organized around liturgical paths, attention is drawn through the oblong building’s ground level corridors with diverse clusters of religious depictions to announce entrance to the extension. the more private second and third floors contain a double story pergola and golden wall with diagonal facets. the white surfaces are complimented with oak doors and floors and coated concrete. at dusk, the illumination permeates the glazed fenestration along the sides of the oblong mass.

folded facade image © christa lachenmaier, cologne