30 May 2017
Ukrainian architects win competition for remote Stone Barn Meditation Camp in rural Latvia
BY Kim Megson
Architecture competition organiser Bee Breeders have revealed the winners of its latest challenge: a task to design a meditation and wellness camp in one of Latvia’s most remote regions.
The Stone Barn Meditation Camp competition sought to create a refuge for individuals amid “the pristine natural beauty” of Vidzeme, eastern Latvia – which is surrounded by forests, lakes and grasslands.
Entries were received from across the work. Ultimately, Ukrainian practice Bondarenko Group were named the winners with their vision for a rural complex, formed of a thatched main structure and side buildings dispersed along the site.
Called Dandelion Road, their camp features a silence chamber, yoga terrace, sauna, event hall, camping area, playground, outdoor dining spaces and fruit and vegetable gardens.
Describing why they had chosen the design as the winner, the jury said: “The shape, structure and covering of the volumes, of both existing and added buildings, is in context with the structure’s rural and natural landscape.
“The general strategy is simple, inserting an axis made of flowers along which the functions of the meditation camp are distributed. The close relationship with nature is well-conceived, with various forms of renewable energy incorporated, including geothermal, wind renewables and rainwater collection to lessen the environmental impact.
“The design’s strength comes from its clear and compact design, its effective use of space, and its effective sustainable strategy.”
The camp concept may now be developed further by Bondarenko Group.
Bee Breeders has previously organised a competition for a ‘Blue Clay’ rural spa and guest house in Kurzeme, western Latvia, which was won by Portuguese architects João Varela, Ana Isabel Santos, João Tavares and Paulo Dia.
The European country is emerging as a popular spa and wellness destination. Earlier this month, international consulting firm Linser Hospitality began developing an extensive health and wellness programme for the Kemeri Park ‘wellness community’ being created within a national park in Jurmula, close to the capital Riga.
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