Museum of Monastic Life

The ruin of the medieval Øm Monastery is located in a magnificent natural setting overlooking the Mossø lake. The site is a National Nature Reserve and consists of several listings including the medieval ruin itself (the foundations of the original monastery), open graves, remains of a medicine garden and other assets created by the monks. More than 23.000 objects and skeletons have been excavated over more than 100 years on the site.

The Museum of Monastic Life explores the museum as a complex, where the heritage site and collection is experienced in synergy with the landscape. Our outset is to maintain the ruin and the collection together, whilst respecting the natural and cultural values of the place. The museum is therefore envisioned as a series of smaller buildings - The Gallery, The Academy and The Wintergarden, telling the story of the monks’ daily life where it happened and through experiences in nature. The main exhibition building reflect the original medieval church in volume and interpret its Gothic pointed arch structures. An academy with a courtyard for larger works is placed on the edge of the forest and a winter garden allow studies of the relic plants in the medieval garden.

Galmstrup Architects were commissioned through an invited tender to develop the design of a new visitor centre. We furthermore developed the masterplan for the site and conducted stakeholder sessions and internal client rationale workshop.

CLIENT: Museum Skanderborg
LOCATION: Ry, Denmark
ARCHITECTURE: Galmstrup Architects
OPERATION STRATEGY: Cultural Projects
LANDSCAPE: SLA Landscape
STRUCTURE: Søren Jensen Engineering Consultants