Dom Hans van der Laan: Tomelilla
Caroline Voet
Architectura & Natura, 2025 (2d revised edition)
€59,50
Dom Hans van der Laan (1904-1991), a Dutch Benedictine monk at Vaals Abbey, architect, designer, and theorist, engaged in a lifelong quest to grasp the essence of all human creation. He developed a comprehensive architectural theory in the field of architectural design. By searching for the essence of building, based on a phenomenological foundation, he created in his own designs a true architecture that is timeless. In the book “De architectonische ruimte” (The Architectural Space), translated into many languages, Van der Laan presents his theory, which, in addition to the theory of proportions of the plastic number, also addresses spatial models and the role of expression in the design process. As an architect, he left behind a modest oeuvre. However, his designs are an expression of the ongoing development of the theory. He regards his last design, the Mariavall Monastery in Tomelilla (Sweden), the subject of this book, as a final specimen, the most complete design of all previous experiments.
In an extremely precise case study of the Swedish Benedictine monastery, Caroline Voet unravels step by step the entire design process of this previously unanalyzed abbey. Supported by the original drawings, the analytical sketches created specifically for this book, and the explanation by Rik van der Laan, nephew of Dom Hans and executive architect of Tomelilla, the reader gains a profound understanding of the designed complex. Moreover, an extremely precise referencing system creates a unique, direct link between the design description and the theory of Architectonic Space. This makes it a fitting example of a handbook for the architect, or rather, a reader’s guide to the highly theoretical approach employed in Dom Hans van der Laan’s main work. The numerous photographs, the previously unpublished sketches for the men’s monastery in Mariavall, the contribution by Rudi de Bruin, executive architect in Sweden, on the use of natural stone in the monastery church, the biographical revelations of Brother Lambertus, with his view on the life of fellow brother Dom Hans, and an editorial introduction complete this important work.
This book is intended for all those interested in the foundations of true architecture that is timeless. Those interested in the background of buildings of the Bossche School, an architectural movement based on the achievements of Dom Hans van der Laan, will also find many answers in Tomelilla. IN DUTCH, ENGLISH EDITION AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
ISBN: 9789461400390
