No Room service. Plenty of Spirit Filled Amenities!
When students walk into the foyer of Subiaco Retreat House for the first time, they stand, stunned, looking up at the high ceilings, glass bridge, stone waterfall and the rich wood beams.
Many of them thought they would be sleeping in cold log cabin barracks not unlike those found at most summer camps. They were not expecting to walk into a sprawling house that, although, it looks overwhelming, once you settle in you find a warm and welcoming alive with Benedictine hospitality.
There are retreat houses all over the country run by various faith traditions and communities. What makes Subiaco so unique is that it was designed and built with youth in mind. The architect, Bill Wasinsky, spent several months here participating in the programs getting a sense of what was needed so that we would have a practical yet comfortable place to relax and reconnect with God. For Benedictines,community and hospitality are two principles our founder St. Benedict emphasized in the” Rule”. We feel that this house and its design make it possible to accomplish both of these goals.
The sleeping area comfortably accommodates 40 people in rooms of 4-6. Each room has its own shower and bath. An example of youth centered design is the sink and vanity areas, they are separate from the shower so that people can be getting their faces together while another is in the shower. All rooms have sturdy built in bunk beds surrounded by rich oak walls. Although comfortable and enough room for sleeping the rooms were not designed to spend much time in other than for sleeping. In this way we have eliminated the tendency for youth to want to separate themselves from others and miss the opportunity to create community.
The gathering room is a spacious area designed within a geodesic dome. A frame windows that reach from floor to near ceiling allow the room to be filled with sunshine and light and creates a feeling of almost being outside. The centerpiece of the room is a large floating arch which marries the lower gathering space to our upstairs chapel where we gather on Sundays to celebrate Eucharist in an intimate semi-circle sitting on tiered benches.
The Central Arch in Living Room
Another youth oriented design feature is the various smaller spaces where youth can gather to sit and visit. One of the favorite spots for groups to meet is the loft, a small space filled with pillows and couches. Here cards are played, songs are sung, stories are shared, and even the chance to relive a bit of childhood by building a fort out of stacked up pillows.
