The need for innumerable improvements to campus and building facilities led the monastic community on this landmark Willamette Valley hilltop to coalesce goals for growth into a 70-page Hilltop Community Master Plan.

With ZGF Architects, the master planning flushed out as many potential changes and priorities as possible, then placed them in context with one-another to construct an objective view of a larger whole. Recommendations for new buildings, building renovations, vehicular patterns, pathways and landscape elements were interwoven with the intention to balance the needs for public openness within the quietude of a monastic environs.

Given the opportunity for introspection, the Monks used the master plan to recollect community values and facilitate growth on the Mount of Communion through concurrence in direction. Following their "make haste slowly" tradition, the monastic community adhered to plan as proposed, infusing it with the genius of ideas that inevitably arise from the building process.

Responsibilities

Architect from initial client interview through site analysis, master planning and building design concepts phases. Developed vehicular circulation and hillside parking concept, master plan drawing, concept diagrams, planning document production, and detailed Aquinas Hall renovation narrative. Had a hand in building the model.

Role: Architect

Setting: ZGF Architects, Portland TriMet - Urban Design & Planning

Location: Mt. Angel, Oregon

Year: 1993