Dutch architecture firm MVRDV has announced plans to transform the Plum Village Buddhist Monastery in France’s Dordogne region. The proposal aims to reimagine the monastery’s layout and introduce new timber guesthouses as well as a dedicated nunnery.
The project includes reorganizing the upper and lower hamlets of the monastery. Vehicle routes will be altered to create a more inviting arrival experience and establish car-free village centers.
Additionally, the studio will update an existing bookshop and partner with Bordeaux-based Moonwalklocal to design a new nunnery and four guesthouses.
Through close collaboration with the Plum Village Buddhist Monastery, both studios seek to enhance the site, supporting the monastery’s mission to share knowledge of Engaged Buddhism—a contemporary Buddhist movement—with guests and retreat participants.
“For this project, we really had to unlearn what we learned as architects, engaging in the practice of deep listening and understanding the very unusual needs of our clients,” said MVRDV associate director Sanne van der Burgh.
“Their way of life and daily routines differ greatly from those of our typical clients,” she added. “They live harmoniously with nature and foster a strong community spirit.”
In the lower hamlet, a new nunnery will be constructed featuring dormitories, communal spaces, classrooms, a meditation hall, and a library, all arranged around a central courtyard.
The design prioritizes sustainability, employing natural materials such as wood and straw to complement the monastery’s commitment to environmental issues.
“To minimise the carbon emissions of its creation, the nunnery will be made using a prefabricated construction system of wood frames with straw insulation,” explained MVRDV.
“Spacious verandas will wrap around the courtyard, linking all living areas and fostering a sense of community among the nuns.”
The existing stone barn, which serves as a bookshop, will be renovated and expanded to become the “welcoming social heart” of the upper hamlet.
A covered terrace will offer outdoor seating, while the interior will include wooden shelving to showcase books and decorative items.
Four two-storey timber guesthouses will also be constructed, with guest rooms arranged around communal living areas to encourage interaction among visitors.
Other recent projects by MVRDV include a vibrant office building in Rotterdam and a large sphere-shaped sports arena in Tirana.
All renderings are by Redvertex unless otherwise noted.
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