The Stutong Priest Retreat Centre
The priest chapel occupies a prominent location in the front of the courtyard
This is a retreat for retired priests of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching; comprising accommodation for the priests and care-taker priests, rooms for visiting congregation, multi-purpose rooms and a small chapel. The site is at Jalan Stutong, with an existing chapel and the new complex planned around a courtyard.
A covered walk divides the courtyard into hard and soft-scape
The main accommodation blocks are 2-storey, wrapping around the courtyard in an L-shaped configuration. The courtyard is divided into 2 sections - an open space for outdoor activities, and the landscaped garden for quiet contemplation.
Layout plan of the Retreat
A Chapel for the priests occupies the most prominent location at the front of the courtyard. Its roof is shaped like an out-stretched palm providing shelter and lifting the eye as one enters the building. The altar is back-lit with large clerestory lights to float the roof from the rest of the building.
The courtyard is framed by the L-shaped double storey residential block
The accommodation units seeks to provide a self-contained home for the priests and in between the units is a private garden to bring light and ventilation into the sleeping areas. To encourage social interaction, large windows are placed next to the covered walkway in the living rooms, and chairs are placed under the windows.
Small windows of the side elevations create shadow patterns on the floor in the mornings and evenings; large glass doors to extend the space and visual connection towards the covered terraces beyond
The architecture reflect the character of its occupants; of reflection, modesty and tranquillity
The architectural language is one of modesty, tranquility and open-mindedness, the building forms are simple without embellishment. The planning has distinct public and private zones, gently defined with landscape and covered link-ways - the overall effect is peaceful and welcoming.
Text by the architect
PROJECT GALLERY