Our Lady of Victoria Monastery hosts a community of monks from the Cistercian Trappist order, originally formed as an offshoot of the Koningshoeven Abbey in the Netherlands. Set near to the equator in Kijonjo, Uganda, the monastic complex emulates its Central European origins with an equatorial interpretation. As an extension of the construction, we designed a sensitive and simple landscape that responds to the precise, ecclesiastical language of the architecture.
Protected by locally sourced brick walls of varying transparency, the main buildings are enclosed by a series of traditional corridors and courtyards. Each area serves a different purpose with a similar intention: to provide simple, meditative space that complements the reflective life of the monks. We’ve focused on four of these areas in particular: The Cloister Garden and three additional courtyards for the Church, Novitiates and Guests.
The Cloister Garden is the heart of the existing buildings of the monastery where all activity is centered. Surrounded by corridors, our intention was to create a gentle, intentional threshold between the garden and monastery, as well as frame the central well. Local stone was used to construct descending steps into the space, each expanding in width to encourage a deliberate slow down in movement. Seven pomegranates create a linear grove in the center, and stone walls and benches frame a central well.
The Church, Novitiate and Guest Courtyards each serve a unique purpose for the monks and visitors, with contemplation as the essence. For the Church courtyard, we designed a large clay lined pond to mirror the architecture in the landscape, providing a moment of reflection. This pond also serves as a protective barrier around the Church, creating privacy between the building and yard. Submerged oxygenating plants, as well as water lilies, ensure the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem, while introduced guppies help control mosquitoes. A simple line of tropical Mvule forest trees, framed by locally cut stone benches, will, in 60 years time, complement the tall facade of the Church and provide contemplative order to the garden.
The Novitiate Courtyard focuses on purity and simplicity: we planted ‘fingers’ of Madagascan periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) and formosanum lilies to soften the existing pavement and give opportunity for future gardening. The choice for low-growing plants, rather than the verticality in the Cloister, allows for observation at the humble level of the body.
The final consideration, the Guest House Courtyard, allowed for more interactive design choices. Still as a contemplative space, but with opportunity for children and families to visit, we focused on subtle encouragements for place and visitation. In response to the traditional four divisions of cloister gardens, a simple cross was created in the landscape. Four stone drainage water channels divide the space, falling into a central shallow stone basin. The stone channels are fairly wide to encourage children to balance along their length. The simple grass surface allows people to enjoy the space whilst being pure in form and limited in materials. A grid of guava trees provide shade and respond to the self-sufficient and orchard traditions of the monks.
Landscape architecture: The Landscape Studio
Architects: Localworks
Surveyors: Dudley Kasibante and Partners
Structural Engineering: Aquila Gallery
Mechanical & Electric Engineering: Equatorsun Consulting Ltd.
Contractors: Cementers
Project location: Kijonjo, Uganda
Year completed: 2021
Photo credits: The Landscape Studio
