Kamila Szatanowska and Paulina Rogalska of the Fala Architektura studio have created a design for meditation cabins in Portugal, which received an honorable mention in an international competition titled. "Vale de Moses Meditation Cabins" organized by the Bee Breeders platform.
The goal of the competition was to design easy-to-make and spiffy meditation cab ins for the Vale de Moses yoga center located in a beautiful Portuguese valley. The organizers were looking for design ideas to build additional meditation and yoga structures at the center. The facility was to be a space that allows users to interact with the surrounding forest and gardens. Each of the designed cabins should provide enough space for one guest and his therapist.
The cabins are located in a picturesque Portuguese valley
© FALA Architecture
Hundreds of designs from around the world were submitted to the competition. Proposals ranged in ideas from 3D designs to structures made of compacted earth. The jury awarded the entries due to their outstanding material and experiential qualities, construction capabilities, as well as the quality of the drawings and visualizations. Among them was the project entitled. "INSIDE|OUT" by Polish female architects.
meditation surrounded by nature
As the authors say about inspiration and meditation:
Vale de Moses is a place where the fascinating raw nature and the human aspect intertwine [...] The Portuguese context of cultural sensitivity and richness, the rawness and fluidity of nature was an important design inspiration for us. [...] The essence of meditation is the ability to separate oneself from the reality around us and quiet the mind. It is said that one can meditate anywhere. There is some truth in this, nevertheless, equally important is the moment of transition, calming down before meditation, and then coming out of this state. The less artificial sounds and human gazes around, the more concentrated and comfortable we feel. The same applies to treatments, which are often accompanied by nudity and intimacy, an unusual state of elation and relaxation. In such moments we like to go back to our roots, unity with nature, solitude. This also plays an important role in the context of the rich stay program at Vale de Moses, largely taking place in a larger group of people.
landscaping
© FALA Architecture
INSIDE|OUT
The spatial and functionaldiversity of Vale de Moses was an important point of reference for the architects. It intersperses different types of spaces, each of which flows seamlessly into the outdoors - the garden and the breathtaking views reaching to the horizon. A distinctive feature of the valley and its geological cross-section is layering. This landscape element was transferred to the existing architecture in a peculiar way, which for the authors was an important foundation of the project.
The designed meditation and treatment cabin is a solitude offering different types of intertwined spaces. It consists of three main modules: a lower enclosed module, a middle treatment and meditation module with a frame to the valley, and an upper open and ephemeral module with a terrace for yoga and meditation. The property also includes a private garden. The buildings are connected by an intimate pathway and "green pockets" where there is a peaceful transition between the solitary and common areas.
The space of the cabins allows meditation and contact with nature
© FALA Architecture
simplicity of form
The layering of the site was reflected by the authors in the designed volume, which grows from a raw, stable stone base. An openable wooden lower module is superimposed on it, and an openwork wooden structure is placed on top, which is filled with lightweight linen fabrics. The curtains are movable, and the lower gates open to the valley, deepening the frame and further providing the user with more privacy. The height of the designed cabin is 6.3 meters calculated from the stone base, which has a variable height depending on the terrain. The dimension of the cabin in plan is 4.5×4.5 m at the widest point - the terrace (the dimensions of the contour increase depending on the level - the higher, the wider). The cubic capacity of the enclosed box is 40 m³, and the dimension in plan is 4×4 m.
The object's simple body and functionality relate to the context of the site. The naturalness and locality of the materials brings the building closer to the nature and cultural heritage of Portugal. The interior and exterior softly intertwine and give different possibilities for sensual experience. The austerity of the interior does not distract the mind during meditation. Thanks to the symmetry and uniformity of materials, balance is maintained.
There are three types of spaces in the cabin
© FALA Architecture
natural materials and minimalism
Thearea of the cabin intended for the storage of private belongings has been suspended above the central point of the room - duplicating in plan the outline of the massage bed. Since practically all the elements have been hidden, it is possible to carry out treatments also on the floor, using its entire surface. A faucet running directly from the wall with a drain located in the floor allows you to wash your feet. Contact with water should have a refreshing effect, so the authors decided not to introduce a separate water heating system. Gray water is recovered for irrigation of the garden. In addition, a hatch with access to a power generator was hidden in the floor, used only for internal lighting of the facility.
The designed facility is easy to maintain and use. The materials used in its construction are natural and local, and it can be fully refabricated, thus lowering the carbon footprint and negative impact on the environment. The designed spaces are minimalist, but do not exceed the comfort limit of their users.
See also another award-winning tourist facility by architects from FALA Architektura.
compiled by Dobrawa Bies
illustrations courtesy of Fala Architektura
