Our Mother of Mercy and Saint Joseph Monastery, a growing community of cloistered Carmelite Religious Sisters, currently resides in a repurposed residential property in Alexandria, South Dakota. Seeking to expand their facilities, the Sisters enlisted TSP for design assistance in developing a comprehensive expansion plan.

The project includes the creation of new private cells (sleeping rooms), an applicant’s suite, a chaplain’s residence, and a new public chapel. The chapel will accommodate approximately 150 people and feature a dedicated cloistered choir space, enabling the Sisters to fully participate in liturgical celebrations while adhering to the Order’s rule of enclosure and maintaining visual separation from the outside world.

Other features of the expansion include a root cellar, expanded sacristies, a mausoleum, and the enlargement of their enclosed grounds, which will provide the Sisters more outdoor space within their compound.

TSP is collaborating with design consultant William Heyer on overall planning and incorporation of traditional liturgical elements.