Douai Abbey - Future Plans

DOUAI ABBEY

Model of Monastery

Model of Masterplan for completing the monastery
prepared by David Richmond & Partners
At the bottom left of the model are the proposed new Library and sacristies.
Top right are the proposed new Dining rooms and Kitchen around the Oak Tree.
Compare this model with that of the Gibberd masterplan (below)

The plans are to include:

A much larger guest dining room than the present one
A Modern kitchen to suit our total catering needs
A Lift and ramps and 4 bedrooms for the disabled
All bedrooms to be with en-suite facilities
Additional parlours and offices for the Conference area
An inner court and Water Feature for the enjoyment of guests
Provision for public access to the monastic Library
Proper care of rare books and manuscripts in the Library

Model of Frederick Gibberd master plan for the complete monastery 1963
The buildings existing in 2001 with their dates. Only part of the Gibberd design was built.
New plans prepared by David Richmond & Partners
Proposed use of ground floor BLUE = MONKS, YELLOW = GUESTS	Proposed arrangement for the First Floor BLUE = MONKS, YELLOW = GUESTS
ARCHITECT'S SKETCHES
View from the corridor by the guests' dining room across the pool in the Guests' Court, with the Abbey Church reflected in the pool.	View across the Oak Court from the Calefactory towards the monks' dining room, and, at the right, the corridor leading to it.
View across the North Court, which separates the Library from the Sacristies, towards the Library Entrance and the north pool feature beyond.	from the Brochure accompanying the Planning Application A key part of the masterplan is to complete the main cloister. The importance for the scheme is in enhancing the degree of 'enclosure' (privacy for the monks). With the monks situated mainly in the North Block a more direct link to the Abbey is envisaged through the North Cloister. Joining into the North Block where Gibberd intended - at the lintoled opening that is visibly bricked up - the cloister bridges over a sunken road originally designed to allow grass cutting machinery, etc, to access the main courtyard once the cloister was completed. This bridge will be a lightweight steel structure clad with sheet metal and with pairs of vertical glazed openings where the structure meets the Gibberd block and the main cloister garden-side.

Plans and sketches are reproduced with the permission of the Architects, David Richmond & Partners

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Registered Charity No. 236962
page created 25/01/05 revised 16/02/07

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