Val Notre-Dame Abbey.]]> https://www.architecturalrecord.com/rss/1552-atelier-pierre-thibault en-us val_notre_dame_abbey.asp Sat, 16 Oct 2010 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/7852-val-notre-dame-abbey-by-atelier-pierre-thibault As in most spaces within the Val Notre-Dame Abbey in Saint-Jean-de-Matha, nature permeates the refectory, where the monks gather for meals in complete silence. Val Notre-Dame AbbeyAtelier Pierre ThibaultSaint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec, CanadaAs in most spaces within the Val Notre-Dame Abbey in Saint-Jean-de-Matha, nature permeates the refectory, where the monks gather for meals in complete silence.Photo © Alain Laforest The aluminum-clad roof of the church extends over the monastery entrance. There, a one-story structure on the cloister's north side welcomes visitors. Val Notre-Dame AbbeyAtelier Pierre ThibaultSaint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec, CanadaThe aluminum-clad roof of the church extends over the monastery entrance. There, a one-story structure on the cloister's north side welcomes visitors.Photo © Alain Laforest The monastery is nestled within a wooded site at the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains. Val Notre-Dame AbbeyAtelier Pierre ThibaultSaint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec, CanadaThe monastery is nestled within a wooded site at the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains.Photo © Alain Laforest The church's east-facing apse features a 30-foot-high glazed wall with views onto nature. Val Notre-Dame AbbeyAtelier Pierre ThibaultSaint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec, CanadaThe church's east-facing apse features a 30-foot-high glazed wall with views onto nature.Photo © Alain Laforest During predawn and late-evening offices, the glazed wall, now black, matches the church's dark slate flooring. Val Notre-Dame AbbeyAtelier Pierre ThibaultSaint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec, CanadaDuring predawn and late-evening offices, the glazed wall, now black, matches the church's dark slate flooring.Photo © Alain Laforest Each of the second floor's cells features a private terrace abutting the lower level's green roof. White concrete panels clad the church and outer cloister. Val Notre-Dame AbbeyAtelier Pierre ThibaultSaint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec, CanadaEach of the second floor's cells features a private terrace abutting the lower level's green roof. White concrete panels clad the church and outer cloister.Photo © Alain Laforest The light-filled corridors of the upper level end with open views of the surrounding foliage. Val Notre-Dame AbbeyAtelier Pierre ThibaultSaint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec, CanadaThe light-filled corridors of the upper level end with open views of the surrounding foliage.Photo © Alain Laforest The cloister's sunken garden, a fortuitous result of the site's high water table, retains existing plantings. A covered gallery offers older monks a place to enjoy the outdoors without contending with Val Notre-Dame AbbeyAtelier Pierre ThibaultSaint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec, CanadaThe cloister's sunken garden, a fortuitous result of the site's high water table, retains existing plantings. A covered gallery offers older monks a place to enjoy the outdoors without contending with the ice-covered terrain during Quebec's harsh winters.Photo © Alain Laforest Visitors walk past the cedar-clad guest wing to enter the church and monastery. The regular placement of columns along the gallery contrasts with the random arrangement of windows above. Val Notre-Dame AbbeyAtelier Pierre ThibaultSaint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec, CanadaVisitors walk past the cedar-clad guest wing to enter the church and monastery. The regular placement of columns along the gallery contrasts with the random arrangement of windows above.Photo © Alain Laforest Val Notre-Dame Abbey Val Notre-Dame AbbeyAtelier Pierre ThibaultSaint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec, CanadaImage courtesy Atelier Pierre Thibault Val Notre-Dame Abbey Val Notre-Dame AbbeyAtelier Pierre ThibaultSaint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec, CanadaImage courtesy Atelier Pierre Thibault