Carthusian Monastery
North Dakota
34°33'23.4"N 115°46'52.8"W
The monastery provides an architectural reflection of the solitary life the monks lead, living a dichotomous life of community and solitude.
The Monastery is situated in central North Dakota a short drive from Bismarck. On the way through Braddock we take a left onto a dirt road known as ND133. The site is surrounded by typical farmsteads, prairie grasses, and small lakes which stipple the landscape all the way out into the horizon; Pothole prairie is an apt name, then, for the ecosystem in which this monks reside.
The North Dakota monastery features an opperable ambulatory wall constructed out of glass, which can completely open to the outside world letting the smells, sounds, and unimeded views of the cloister.
Monks live out most of their days in private rooms called cells or hermitages. These quarters provide everything the monks need for their days; Places to sleep, eat, work, pray, study, and farm.
Each private hermitage features an outdoor cloister for the monk to work, further provide various services to the monastery.
Outside of the hermit’s cells the community gathers for feasts and liturgies. Within the monastic order monks are the practitioners of the Liturgy which they practice singing. Monks get together weekly to break their silence and talk one-on-one with eacg other discussing order and monastery business. Another weekly ritual is recreation time; monks play games and exercise together, taking time to balance their lives of solitude.