The Monastery
Welcomes the discerning wanderer for a journey of transformation. Standing against conventional resorts, it offers a unique experience by creating spaces for intentional communion with one another.
LOCATION
Mykonos, Greece
PROGRAM
Boutique Hotel
YEAR
2018
CLIENT
the Karma Group
STATUS
Study
On Vernacular
Scale — Urban Cluster
Mykonian Chora
Scale — Single Building
Church of Panagia Paraportiani
Scale — Formal Fragment
Orthodox Prayer Shrine
Scale — Architectural Element
Chora Gates
On Site
Scale — Urban Cluster
Μύκονος χώρα
Scale — Single Building
Εκκλησία της Παναγίας της Παραπορτιανής
Scale — Formal Fragment
Cat Shrine
Scale — Architectural Element
Gates
Intrigued by formal qualities derived from the dichotomy of The Deep and The Flat, this project alters one’s perception by creating multiple readings in three distinct realms: the programmatic, the architectural and the representational.
Realm N°1 — Programmatic
We were primarily interested in how the layering of spaces, arranged from private and contemplative to communal and shared, begins to create a dynamism that stands in contrast to the generic travel experience found in conventional resorts.
In this light, The Monastery’s spatial configuration of self-similar clusters populate the site to produce a garden of unique instances. The constellation of amenities found beneath the underbellies of the clusters and subterranean grottoes become enclaves for communal interaction, like the Daybreaker and Nightwalker club experience, where travelers participate in the ancient ritual of music and dance. Contrastingly, the canopy of above ground monk-cells, the private chapel and the rejuvenating balneary become spaces for personal refuge, introspection and solace soaking.
Realm N°2 — Architectural
When considering the architectural mass of The Monastery we realized there is no such thing as singular essences but rather dichotomies, whether material, atmospheric or tectonic. Thus we became intrigued by forms that flicker between various readings created by their silhouette; something we discovered in our contextual research. For us, the ambiguity of whitewash, a medium that is both negator and enhancer, is one that allows the essential aesthetic of pure mass to emerge for a multiplicities of essences to exist in the same architecture.
For example, the mass of The Monastery appears impenetrable from the vantage point of an underbelly who’s horizon often ends in a flat wall. This is useful to concentrate ones focus on the activity taking place in these spaces, whether it is eating at a communal table or participating in morning yoga. On the other hand, the view from the central corridor appears quite porous, inviting gazes and engagement.
Realm N°3 — Representational
We think of representation not only as a tool to communicate an already designed object; but as a design tool to reinvestigate architectural vocabulary and renegotiate the role of parallel projection and perspective in the making and understanding of space.
As an example, our keyholes focus their energy on the notion of the threshold, and hope to re-define the common conception of the threshold as transitory or temporary. Instead our thresholds become moments of inhabitation. We exploit the inherent distance created by the perspective view to question the origin and the limit of elements. Contrastingly, the oblique view collapses space but provides more abstract legibility. Ultimately, our goal was to use the wall, whether literal or representative, as the interface for architectural intervention.
As travel commentator Greg Oates noted, “We are all seeking our monk,” we believe The Monastery is were you will find them.
Credits
—
category. Academic, Building
project team. Andrew Matia & Daniel Silverman
where. PennDesign Advanced 704
critic. Georgina Huljich + Marcelo Spina
teaching assistant. Miguel Abaunza