Cenacle Sisters Convent & Retreat Center

Designed and constructed as an extension of the Cenacle Sisters' commitment to being good stewards of the environment, the Ronkonkoma Convent and Retreat Center broke ground in November of 2009 as a replacement for their outdated main retreat building. The 45,920 square foot, two-level building includes a main chapel for services and other group religious events, offices and meeting rooms for Cenacle staff, retreat rooms for overnight visitors, dining areas for the Sisters, retreatants and special events, a new library and other community-oriented spaces, public and private outdoor amenity spaces, and the Sisters' wing with several private rooms with baths and kitchen and living areas. The team worked diligently to limit site disturbance and 50% of the total site area has been restored with native/adapted plantings and will be protected in its natural state. An environmentally-sensitive approach to materials use formed part of the project team's core beliefs. More than 95% of the construction and demolition waste was carefully diverted from landfill through the use of recycling centers, reuse and salvage. Recycled and regional materials were also specified and incorporated throughout the project. Vertegy managed the creation of a green building education and outreach program and a green cleaning protocol, allowing for the achievement of Innovation in Design credits for the project.