A Buddhist retreat in the Suffolk countryside has reopened, designed by Walters & Cohen Architects. Potash Farm is home to Vajrasana Buddhist Retreat Centre; capacity has been increased from 34 to 60, accessibility improved and the centre now includes a glittering new shrine room. While the retreat is run by the London Buddhist Centre, it is also used for carers on respite and those dealing with issues such as stress, addiction and anxiety. It is the first time in the UK a new building has been designed specifically around the Buddhist practice as opposed to reusing existing buildings.
The Malleable Autonomous Retreat House was designed as a special interactive, prefabricated, painted wood retreat place for two people, in a remote location. It basically consists of a large exterior canopy, which is fitted with 32 slotted panels that are hinged in the middle, and at one end. All of these panels can be automatically moved up or down with small electric gear motors and/or manually folded up or down with hand operated geared cranks, in order to manipulate the quality of the space below, and at the same time change the shape of the entire structure. Whenever all of the panels are closed (or in the flat position) the house retains a simple rectangular form. In this position, the space under the canopy is entirely shaded, and blocks most of the wind. As the hinged panels are opened to any degree, the shape of the house begins to change into a totally unpredictable form, which can be based on the desired climatic conditions under the canopy, and/or just aesthetic preferences. Two of the largest panels are clad with solar panels, which supply all of the electricity for the house. These panels can also be folded up or down to adjust to ideal angles for capturing the most energy from the sun.
The Tucson Mountain Retreat is located within the Sonoran Desert; an extremely lush, exposed, arid expanse of land that emits a sense of stillness and permanency, and holds mysteries of magical proportions. The home is carefully sited in response to the adjacent arroyos, rock out-croppings, ancient cacti, animal migration paths, air movement, sun exposure and views. Great effort was invested to minimize the physical impact of the home in such a fragile environment, while at the same time attempting to create a place that would serve as a backdrop to life and strengthen the sacred connections to the awe-inspiring mystical landscape.
The blue waters of Lake Huron—located north of Toronto—complement its majestic surroundings and offer a dream-like location for a retreat. A sensual environment, its serene landscape reminds the temporary dwellers of the harmony that exist beyond human possibilities. When PARTISANS team met on site, with a new client for designing and constructing a potential Sauna, they knew that their most prominent challenge was to make a free-standing structure that not only respected, but also matured from the context. Located within the Georgian Bay, the site is a prehistoric large-scale rock formation. Contemplated research was conducted, and through the process a Grotto was set as an inspiration that would inform the design. Grottos, historically, have been known as natural or artificial caves that are embedded deep behind the curvature of streams, and thus discovered by those who would take the time to explore.
Sited on top of a Hill, in Saattal (Hindi for “seven lakes”), miles away from the chaos of the city, The Hill haven is a weekend cottage retreat for an urban Indian multi-generation family. Saattal is a group of seven freshwater lakes near the Himalayas, in the Uttarakhand district of India. Famous for its Oak and Pine trees, the lake sits scenically in the Mehragaon valley
Sekeping Kong Heng, in the charming old town of Ipoh, is the latest addition to the Sekeping family of retreats. It is located in a 3 storey neo-classical building which also houses a famous coffee shop of the same name on the ground floor that serves great coffee and the best local dishes in town. All effort has been made to preserve as much of the character of the existing building as possible in contrast to the surrounding new architectural interventions. In addition, an extension has been added at the back, tucked away to reveal an inner courtyard with a dramatic stairway to take guests up to their rooms.
The scheme aims at accommodating the different needs of two families on vacation. The single volume of one building is broken into smaller ones, different in height and size, placed freely but in relation to each other resulting into an ensemble. The ensemble is sited upon a solid stone and concrete platform at 80cm above a preserved agricultural field in immediate adjacency to the sea. The site offered dramatic views out to the bay, the sea beyond and the island of Naxos. The ensemble sited within the buildable area designated by the planning laws, looks to exploit the views offered by its location and to orientate all its internal and shaded spaces towards the sea and the spectacular landscape.
The client’s goal for this retreat was to create a beautiful series of structures and spaces to sustain the environment and family over the long term where relatives and friends will visit, stay and return again and again and the land will be cared for. The 16 acre site is three miles from the Sleeping Bear dunes on Lake Michigan. 10 acres comprise of a field of crops and 6 acres of a tall beech forest touching 290′ of shoreline of this small inland lake. The solution has entailed restoring the field from crop land to native grasses. Walking pathways were created that align and converge with the entry drive into the forest which leads to the dwellings.
A space dedicated to calm, reflection and perspective, The Secular Retreat is a veritable haven from the pressures of modern life.
In South Devon, between the resorts of Salcombe and Hallsands, lies a landscape of rolling hills, wooded river valleys, patchwork fields and small stone villages. It is here that Zumthor is designing his first project in the UK – The Secular Retreat, a hill-top retreat, where people will be able to go for periods of sustained work and reflection.
The Secular retreat in South Devon
Architect: Atelier Peter Zumthor
Structural Engineer: Jane Wernick Associates
Quantity Surveyors: Boyden Group LLP
Location: South Devon, UK
Local architectural consultant: David Sheppard
Landscape consultant and design: The Rathbone Partnership
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