Publications
The Abbey Church of Eberbach and the Idea of a ‘Bernardine’ Cistercian Architecture
Recent scholarship challenges the traditional view that Cistercian architecture flourished under Abbot Bernard of Clairvaux (d. 1153) and declined afterward, instead proposing that architectural austerity, now emblematic of the Order, emerged as a defining feature in the later 12th century at Eberbach Abbey. While earlier research by Hanno Hahn suggested two distinct construction phases—one influenced by Burgundian models like Fontenay and Clairvaux, and another reflecting local traditions—the latter phase, post-Bernard, emphasized austerity aligned with monastic ideals. This study argues that the search for monastic identity in the later 12th century, rather than Bernard’s influence, shaped Eberbach’s architectural character, offering a new perspective on Cistercian design evolution.
Le décor des bâtiments conventuels des abbayes masculines françaises, aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles.
A significant renewal of monastic decoration occurred in France during the 17th and 18th centuries, as religious institutions sought to align their visual environments with spiritual and identity aspirations. This study reveals how major orders—Maurist, Cluniac, Cistercian, Carthusian, Premonstratensian, and Genevese—reconstructed or restored over 130 abbeys in northern France, employing intricate iconographic and aesthetic programs to enrich the symbolic, intellectual, and sensory dimensions of monastic spaces. Through a corpus-based analysis, it demonstrates how these decorations, often totalizing in scope (sculptural and painted), served as tools for moral and spiritual identity formation, invoking biblical models and urging conversion. The research highlights the role of analogy in transforming space into a resonant environment for monastic life.
Water as a common reference for monastic lives and spaces in Cistercian and Han Buddhist monasteries
A shared water culture of self-sufficiency and self-cleaning emerges as a universal value linking Cistercian and Han Buddhist monasteries, revealing how water management shaped monastic lives and spaces. The study compares two monastic traditions to demonstrate that water's physical characteristics—such as its form, flow structure, and status—influenced site selection, spatial order, and symbolic meaning. Through case studies and comparative analysis, researchers found that both traditions used water as a strategic tool to transform wilderness into sustainable retreat environments, with implications for the preservation and reconstruction of historical monasteries.
The Monastic Plan
The Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay, one of the best-preserved monastic complexes in western Europe, exemplifies the purest form of monastic planning. This study reveals how Romanesque builders adapted monastic structures to different climatic conditions while maintaining the core relationship between components, such as the church and cloister. The abbey's layout, initiated in 1139, features a longitudinal plan derived from Early Christian traditions, with the church serving as the central element. The cloister's four galleries act as a unifying link within the complex, facilitating the daily sequence of nine liturgical services that began at dawn and extended past midnight. By analyzing Fontenay alongside other monasteries, the research provides a comprehensive understanding of monastic architectural evolution, emphasizing its functional and symbolic significance.
Cistercian architecture or architecture of the Cistercians?
Cistercian architecture, a cornerstone of the medieval Cistercian legacy, is recognized as a distinct architectural style that has captivated tourists and scholars alike. This study challenges traditional narratives by examining the specificity and identity of Cistercian abbeys, moving beyond the notion of it being merely a product of the Romanesque period originating in Burgundy. The research employs a multi-faceted approach, analyzing historiographical steps, architectural plans, and the role of abbey buildings as material sources for monastic life. It reveals that while Cistercian architecture spread internationally through the Order's network, it was not solely an export from France but also indigenous to other regions, such as Britain and Germany. The study highlights the significance of Cistercian architecture in shaping the identity of the Order and its influence on regional architectural styles.
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