John Pawson

‘Next year will mark the twentieth anniversary of the beginning of our collaboration. I have clear memories of every step that has led to this point: of my first visit to the community at Sept-Fons, of driving across Europe to see the site, the years of construction of the cloister, of seeing the volume of the church complete for the first time, of the ceremony of consecration and of the opening of the guest house. Always the path has led onwards.This sense of forward momentum is as true now as it has ever been... As an architect, I get excited as each new element is added - as the architectural composition becomes more complete. But I also understand that what is critical for you as a growing community is that the monastic city matures and adapts to the life it contains. This life has both a spiritual and a physical dimension and the architecture must seamlessly hold both.’

John Pawson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photography
John Pawson