The Discalced Carmelite Architectural Canon of the Seventeenth Century in Asia

A dynamic architectural canon emerged for the Discalced Carmelites in the 17th century, blending Teresian austerity with adaptability across Asia. This study reveals how normative texts like the Constitutiones and Ordinatio de Constructione Ecclesiarum et Conventuum (1614) prescribed standardized designs for churches and convents in Persia and India, yet allowed flexibility in local materials and cultural contexts. Case studies of Isfahan, Thatta, and Goa—particularly Our Lady of Mount Carmel—demonstrate a tension between prescription and practice, showing the canon as a living grammar rather than a rigid style. The research traces original documents from the AGOCD archive to analyze this interplay, offering insights into how spiritual values, institutional identity, and adaptability shaped architectural expression in colonial missions.

Resta, G., Mendiratta, S. L., & Cruz, T. T. (2026). The Discalced Carmelite Architectural Canon of the Seventeenth Century in Asia. Studi e Ricerche Di Storia Dell'Architettura, 2(18), 210–221. https://doi.org/10.6093/2532-2699/12734