I recently had the chance to re-visit the abbey, around 50 years after what had been the first office project where I made a mark while still an architectural student at Plymouth.

Around 1960 the monks had evolved a system of modern 'stained glass' production which they wanted to showcase at the same time as a quieter retreat for worship was required with increasing visitor presence in the body of the abbey.

The 'glass' was actually coloured plastic and the connection opaque resin rather than lead. The extension chapel was at a fairly advanced stage when I joined the team at Walls & Pearn Architects, but I made my 'mark' reversing the slope of the outer metre or so of the roof so the light from the 'glass' would be amplified. I hope the ducks don't get too much pleasure from the roof if one of the rainwater pipes down the columns blocks.