Designed by world-renowned architect Marcel Breuer, the monastery is the home to over 115 monks and Saint John’s Abbey, and provides hospitality and housing for visiting monastic students from around the world. In addition to a home, the monastery residence continues the 164-year tradition of serving as the operational center of Saint John’s Abbey, sponsoring Saint John’s Preparatory School, Saint John’s University, the Liturgical Press, and a growing number of pastoral ministries.
This renovation provided critical support to the community as the monastic residents continue to live according to the precepts of the Order of St. Benedict. Major infrastructure updates include new electrical wiring and plumbing, energy-efficient windows, improved insulation and sound abatement treatment, the reconfiguring of inefficient spaces, a new elevator, and new HVAC. The common spaces were resized to provide a more efficient building with a much smaller carbon footprint while recreating spaces where monks naturally come together for study, reading, recreation, prayer, and conversation.