Austin-Smith:Lord was commissioned to design a new monastery for the Carmelite Sisters in Liverpool. The layout embodies the daily cycle of prayer, manual labour, communal mealtimes and private reflection.

The design is a modern interpretation of the monastic tradition. Silence and light articulates the architecture which is calm, ordered and uplifting.

The community includes a chapel, cloister, refectory, community room, library, workspaces, guest house, 24 cells, 2 hermitage cells and 6 fully accessible infirmary cells. As a home it is comfortable and modest, befitting the Carmelite philosophy.

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Many architects were considered for this project and following an extensive selection process, Austin-Smith:Lord were chosen as a firm who embodied the vision, skill and standards of service that were a key requirement of the project. We have worked very closely with Austin-Smith:Lord over three years and have found their innovation in design refreshing, the attention to detail meticulous and the support and ability to work with other design team members refreshing. 

Peter Brack- Hardie Brack Chartered Surveyors