Glencomeragh House Retreat Center is located in a valley between the Comeragh Mountains and Slievenamon. The campus is bounded by a river to the south, and mature woodland to the west. The Poustinia are located on the Northern incline of the campus and are positioned close to existing plantings of mature broad-leaf trees, which form their entrance and terrace spaces. Each Poustinia is orientated to capture different views over the surrounding countryside and to give a variance in sun light as the day progresses. They are set into and over the hillside, which has been planted as a wild flower meadow with a variety in the mix that will create seasonal blooming. A circular path connects the Poustinia to the Main House and a network of paths and ponds that also lead to riverside and woodland walks. The building’s form creates its own trapped space of the site’s limestone. With the window shutters closed an inner space is created to encourage contemplation and meditation. A day bed opposite the window overlooking the wider landscape, allows rest to be enhanced by the enjoyment of the view. The locally sourced timber cladding in alternating strips of smooth sawn larch and rough sawn douglas fir contrasts with the minimalist interior with its bespoke furniture and suggests the conjunction of the temporal and the transcendent to which the retreat tradition is devoted.

Area — 40sq.m Completed Spring 2005.

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