The preception of ritual in architecture

This is a project about the perception of ritual in architecture. It investigates the idea that the manipulation of peoples' movement through a work of architecture is more appropriate in a certain building type rather than others. Given the rigidity of an established ritual, accommodation in a relatively designed space should be appropriately demanding and informing. Such a condition exists within the monastic ritual recorded by St. Benedict in 528. Taking this ritual as outlined in The Rule Of Saint Benedict, I have chosen to design a monastic complex, the likes of which could be found in a remote location, in which the casual visitor might be able to perceive the affirmation of place, institution, and belief through the ritualistic nature of the complex in an exclusive setting.

The most obvious component of the monastic complex is the church. The level of architectural detail reflects its significance. However, the entire monastic complex responds to a comprehensive ordering system in an effort to render the perception of the ritual more discernible.