Case Studies

Slated as the premier destination for Rockdale County, just outside of Atlanta near Conyers, Georgia, The Monastery of the Holy Spirit has commissioned Jones Pierce Architects to transform and old barn compound into a public gathering space. What is now a cluster of brick buildings dating back to the early 1900’s including two prominent barns, one of which served to house the monks when they first purchased the property in the 1940’s, will be stabilized and renovated to be opened as a Monastic Center. Guests will be offered a glimpse of Monastic life as they experience the cloistered compound and traverse the Prayer Path across the fields to the Church and Retreat House. 

 

To create this destination as a meaningful experience, Jones Pierce proposed the introduction of the cloister not only as an organizing element but, as a historical icon representative of monasteries. Points of interest will include the Monastic Center containing the history of monasticism and this Monastery along with an introduction to monastic life, the Abbey Store & Café, the Bonsai Garden Center which will display and sell several of the trees labored over and sculpted by the Monks, and the integration of a Bonsai garden containing prized specimens collected and nurtured over decades as well as other garden areas around the cloister that will provide shady, calm respites for visitors to read a purchased book or enjoy a snack from the Café.

           

            As Jones Pierce continues to work hand in hand with the Monastery to develop the project perhaps the most influential of our 10 principals has been that of prescribed sustainability. While not requiring LEED certification, sustainability has always been a key factor embraced by the monks. This will be mainly achieved through the adaptive re-use of various existing structures and the salvaging of materials from those needing to be replaced. There will also be components of storm water mitigation through landscaped swales, natural ventilation through operable windows augmented by fans, shading devices, and maximizing the use of daylighting for illumination. Finally the interest and money generated by the new public gathering area will in turn help sustain the monk’s way of life as they continue to live and work off the land.

 

            Another Jones Pierce principal that is playing a key role in developing this facility is our dedication to teamwork and collaboration with our clients. In the spring, the Monastery selected and hired Gay Construction to generate construction estimates to assist in assessing cost of the development. The team has worked hard through the summer to identify exceptional expenses, suggest and qualify alternatives to define the final scope of work in meeting the prescribed budget. Below are images of the proposed final design from which the Monastery is fundraising for the total construction cost.