Extracts from letters by architect Dom Hans van der Laan. The present abbey (Roosenberg III) was built in 1975 in a timeless style designed by the Dutch Benedictine monk Dom Hans van der Laan from the abbey of of Vaals (The Netherlands). The spatial structure of this complex is rooted in the deep Christian conviction of the architect: the different spaces are constructed around a central inner court. The church functions as a kind of hinge in this architectural sanctuary.

"The spaces we stay in are in complete harmony with our senses and experiences ,there is a harmony between the forms, measures and dimensions of every single space in this abbey and our physical and spiritual condition, our body,soul and mind. And just like our minds, our perceptions of the senses and our physical experiences merge into one and the same being of a unique personality so the three worlds of space ,form and measure in this building merge into one big harmonious entity. This is in a nutshell the secret of our way of building."

"... There are three possible ways of walking through the building. The first way is to walk through the different rooms and corridiors paying special attention to the spaces.
Another way is looking specifically at the shape of the walls, pillars and windows and in this way we can also be impressed by the shapes of the different rooms.
A third alternative is to get impressed by the specific harmonious relationship between the dimensions. The shades of colour help to strengthen those impressions...

... However, it is mainly the dome of the church, visible above the front wall, which makes us long to enter the building and that is precisely what is essential. Despite the gentle attractiveness of the open nature, we want to get in anyway...

... It has always been our intention not only to build a house where one prays but a house to pray...

... The colours of floor and ceiling already introduce somewhat the whole range of shades; the chairs and benches have not yet fully disengaged themselves from the structure but the tables exhibit fully their pronounced specific colour.
It is as if the furniture is attached to the architecture not by the colours as such but by the relationship between the colours. ..."

Uit: "Negen brieven van de architect over de bouw van het klooster Roosenberg."
NOTA: Rondleiding in het gebouw enkel op afspraak.

External link: Abdij Sint-Benedictusberg (Vaals)
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