New Camaldoli Hermitage Monastery
Originally built in 1959, the New Camaldoli Hermitage is now in the design stages of reconstructing their facilities. The existing structures are at the end of their life cycle and it's now time to rebuild.
Michelle Kaufmann Designs is honored to be working with The New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, CA. Michelle Kaufmann Designs is designing new Buildings that will live in harmony with the landscape.
Project Overview
We plan to create a very special retreat that blends seamlessly into the spectacular natural surroundings both architecturally and material wise. Our emphasis will be on using sustainable construction technologies and materials which allow us to rebuild with minimum impact on the fragile environment in terms of how the buildings are made as well as how they are used over time. Materials from existing buildings will be recycled into the new project. We will be implementing alternative energy sources such as solar and wind turbines.
The landscaping will incorporate water catchment systems. Materials and construction methods are chosen with the goal of being low-maintenance, cost-effective, yet lifetime materials, so this place of discovery will exist for many future generations.
The Rebuilding Project will be constructed in 3 phases:
- Phase 1:
Bookstore/Hospitality Center, Infirmary, Workers Quarters - Phase 2:
Retreatant House, Conference Center, Formation Hall, Monk Cells - Phase 3:
Refectory, Library, Multi-Purpose Building, Cloister Garden, Chapel Renovation
About the Monastery
Many people today desire meaning and purpose. People are looking everywhere for the answer, the fulfillment, without looking inside themselves. And yet, deep within each of us is the meaning, is the energy, is the purpose.
The monks of New Camaldoli Hermitage (founded in 1958), live a contemplative life of prayer and practice which gives witness to the meaning, the energy, the purpose that lives within each person (in monastic language the monks say that this meaning, this energy, this purpose is God, who lives within each person). The guest/retreat facilities at New Camaldoli Hermitage provide a rich, inner experience for visitors and retreatants.
New Camaldoli Hermitage exists to give witness to the truth that God is the ultimate meaning and purpose of life and lives within each person. Through contemplative living and prayer, an access to the inner journey, the monks of the New Camaldoli Hermitage discover and incarnate this truth and support oblates, retreatants and guests in their journey to do the same through the ministry of hospitality.
To learn more about the New Camaldoli Hermitage, please visit.
Tour
