6.

PROPOSAL

6.1 Proposed Activity

6.2 Characteristics of activity spaces

6.3 Program

6.4 User group

6.5 Architectural standards.

6.1 Analysis of proposed activity

Primary

• MEDITATION
• YOGA
• DANCE
• RECREATION
• AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS and THEREPIES
Secondary

• HABITATION: act of living in space (rooms or cottages)

• COOKING: skill of preparing food
• DINING: eating a meal
• GYM/ SPORTS/ SWIMMING: physical engagement
• COUNSELLING: getting professional advice.
Tertiary

• RELAXATION: Makes a person feel calm.

• THINKING: process of considering about something
• CREATING: act of making something new
• LEARNING/ TRAINING: acquiring knowledge or skills through study or
experience
 • SHOPPING: act of buying something

Meditation
Meditation is always without object and never the result of an activity but presence in
the space of consciousness. This nature effortless presence and meditation itself the
deeper dimensions of Alertness , awakened conscious the word of silence and beyond
the mind. This silence is not forced by some concentration techniques ,but indescribable
and experience able of living emptiness, conscious existence in space of constitution.

In present isolated state of consciousness based upon identification with the ones
illusionary self, spatial consciousness is not present in life, so he or she is unable to
experience consciousness in free forms. Due to reading a lot of about the subject
humans wish to bring things beyond forms and shapes under the control of ego , in
order to stabilize their Ego and make it permanent

To understand the nature of meditation in better way , it is essential to be conscious

about the benefits decide spirituality, some major benefits:

• Greatest sense of awareness

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Increase mental clarity and focus

• emotional intelligence

• trigger the brains relaxation response

Even some studies show that meditation changes

brain physiology to slow aging. “Cognition seems to
be preserved in meditators “says Lazar , a
researcher army Harvard university. Lazar adds that
mediators also have more Gray matter literally, more
brain cells.

YOGA
Yoga is a method that allows to wake up to who or what mankind really is and what life
is really all about. Anything that allows you to be more aware and oneself and one
connected to spirit and life is a form of yoga. Everything one can do can become yoga is
it is done with awareness. Awareness is a key to discovering the mysterious of who he
or she truly is yoga reveals the luminous Intelligence and beauty that lies within
humans.

The science of yoga has its Origins and thousands of years ago long before any religion
and belief systems were born and the practice of yoga is believed to have started with
very dawn of Civilization. In Yogic Legend, Shiv is viewed as main yogi or adi yogi and
the principal Guru auradi Guru.

The number of scenes and fossils remains of and the Saraswati Valley Civilization with
yogic thought process and figures performing Yogic Sadhana purpose the presence of
Yoga in ancient India. The Phallic symbols, scenes of idols of mother goddess are
suggestive of Tantra Yoga the presence of yoga is accessible in folk tradition Indus
Valley Civilization, vedic and Upanishad Heritage, Buddhist and Jain customs the sages
of Mahabharat and Ramayan and mystical customs of shaivas, Vaishnavas , Tantra
customs. Furthermore there was predominantly and earn edited yoga which also
predominal or unadulterated Yoga which has been showed in mystical customs of
South Asia.

To understand the nature of Yoga in a better way, it is essential to be conscious about

benefits besides spirituality some major benefits are:

Physical benefits:
• Increased flexibility

• Increase muscle strength and tone

• Improved respiration, energy and vitality

• Maintaining a balanced metabolism

• Weight reduction

• Cardio and circulatory health

• Improve athletic performance

Mental benefits:
Aside from physical benefits one of the best benefits of yoga is how it helps a person
manage stress, which is known to have devastating effects on body and mind. "stress
itself in many ways , including back or neck pain sleeping problems headaches and
drug abuse and inability to concentrate" says Dr.Nevins. “Yoga can be very effective in
developing coping skills and reaching the very positive outlook of life".

DANCE:
Dance is a Hidden language of soul and body. It is a very subtle way to communicate
several important facts about one’s health and vigor to potential mates .it could be the
most unique form of exercise. 

Dance requires balance, timing strength stamina, and knowledge or skill in putting
sequence of steps together. Every movement in dance serves a purpose. Some moves
are very romantic or sexual, some moves are asexual.

Benefits:

 Improved condition of heart and lungs

 Increased muscular strength
 Improve flexibility and increase stamina, as well as strengthen bones and
muscles.
 Better coordination
 Mood upli
 ftment
 Improved balance and Spatial awareness
 Better social skills
REJUVENATION

Treatment and therapies

Bathing
Bathing is an activity that is as pleasurable as it is healthy. Bathing helps prevent
diseases by cleansing the body, but it also relaxes and rejuvenates. It is believed
immersion into warm water tends to reduce hormones that are secreted when the body
is cold or frightened. Another benefit of water is that it may act on our muscular system.
A warm bath softens up collagen (the main ingredient in tendons), thereby physically
relaxing our bodies

Benefits:
 Eliminates toxins and toxic conditions from the body and mind
 Restrore the constitutional balance improving health and wellness
 Reverse the negative effect of stress on the body and mind
 Bring deep relaxation and sense of well being.

6.2 Characteristics of activity spaces

Primary Activity spaces

By creating different sizes of each space, it lends itself more easily to a gradation of size
of each group; a small meditation pad for one or few people could practice, while a large
platform in the grass could be used for yoga or dance groups as well as the individual.
These spaces being flexible in size allow their functions to overlap but some desirable
spatial qualities may differ depending on the activity. These large primary spaces will
likely be the focal point of the project carrying out most of the most important functions
of the retreat on a daily basis.

1. Meditation hall

 Natural light: preferably a source of light. In order to project an image of

calm and peacefulness during meditation , utilizing natural night is
preferable .
 Something to focus on
  Traces of nature; to promote natural feeling, incorporating some bit of
nature into the space will be great.
 Minimal furniture: to relax from clutter of mind
 Pillows or mats : practical requirement for the comfortableness during the
meditation
 Soothing sound: can be natural , it helps efficiently during specified form of
meditations

2. Contemplation space
It only requires a silent place or hidden niche somewhere.

3. Space for Yoga

A yoga space can be created almost anywhere, in the garden, in the gathering
space, in a room or even in a walk in closet. Essentially yoga require a clear
tranquil open space with yoga mat. Although open space with peace would be
the ideal.
 Soothing soft light: best case is Natural light. soft lighting makes a feeling of
calmness and peacefulness and can help to enter into deeper yoga state of
mind.
 Calm colors: feeling of relax and calm (green , earthy hues and white)
 Mirror: to improve postures, if it is indoor mirror can also create illusion for bigger
space.
 Surface: choice of suface plays and important role. Typology of surface is hard,
soft , muddy or grass should be selected according to yoga type.
 Yoga mat or towel will ease the process

4. Dance floor

 Smooth, buffered and warm floors: dancers dance barefoot

 Big spaces: wide and high ceilings, open spaces or dancing gardens will be best
 Enough ventilation : fresh air as much as possible
 Natural sunlight
 5. Recreational activity
Rejuvenation basically refers to get refreshed and recreation refers to enjoy the
leisure time .both of these activities in terms of space can’t be listed

6. Therapies and Treatment room

There are different types of therapies and therefore the furnishings of rooms differ
depending on the therapy offered. A typical treatment room will, however, have a single
piece wooden tabletop called the “Adoni” to give Ayurvedic massage therapy. Each
room also has its own private steam box connected to a central steam generator. The
rooms also have their own attached private bath or shower rooms.

7. Training area

Different kinds of therapeutic and recreational exercises will take place here. This might
include running, walking, weight lifting, cardio, and stretching exercises.

These rooms should have enough room for adequate circulation of visitors and
physicians/ trainers around the exercise and therapy machines.

There should be adequate storage for equipment and supplies. The space should be
flexible to accommodate changes in therapy requirements.

The gym or exercise rooms should be joined to outdoor spaces for activities that
require them.

The walls should be reinforced to allow for installation of necessary machinery

8. Workshops

Practices like music therapy , art therapies , pottery or weaving requires huge space
with ample amount of natural light with the traces of nature.

Semi open space would be ideal with double height ceiling that promotes creative
thinking.
Secondary Activity Spaces
ENTRY/RECEPTION

This space should be separated from the primary therapeutic areas of the center, but
adjacent to the business offices and restrooms.

The entry and waiting portions of this space should include natural elements such as
plants, natural light, viewto exterior spaces, and water to help establish a level of
comfort within the facility.

Consultation rooms
Consultation room should accommodate 2-5 people at the same time and should have
seating areas for client/physician consultations.

There should be enough space to allow for extended periods of occupation for any
client who needs it for counseling purposes. They should provide accommodations for
reclining and interacting with the attending physician.

The exam rooms should provide ample space for physical, emotional, and psychological
exams to be administered to clients.

Dining Area
If people are spending nights, there needs to be a full service kitchen and dining area;
complete with refrigerator, freezer, services/deliveries, dry storage, office, and of course
the kitchen itself including: food prep, cooking, serving, staging and dishwashing.

A large dining hall would be able to accommodate all guests, and by including an
adjacent patio/lawn to dine outdoors when the weather is nice would be the perfect
touch.

Different kind of restaurant

Sleeping quarters and cottages

The suites themselves range in size to accommodate both individuals and groups, like
couples and small families. The smallest suite is 12- 15 m2 and the largest suite is30-
35 m2 . The cottages could be clustered in such a way as to facilitate groups that share
like characteristics. For example, there could be a communal meditation space , space
for gardening or shared pool where only the guest of that particular cottage could enjoy
the facility.
Gathering and waiting area
Space that will house any large formal or informal gatherings. It should be able to
accommodate groups of tables for sitting, eating and interacting, floor space for
mingling and dancing, and an elevated platform for presiding over the event.

The activity area should have areas of differing heights to delineate spaces for different
functions, to provide visual interest through spatial design, and to provide alternative
routes through the space.

It should incorporate natural elements such as light, plants, and water.

6.3 Program
The Retreat’s breakdown of programmatic spaces is as follows:

Retreat Building

1. Entry/Lobby
a. Covered Entry

b. Lobby

c. Lounge

2. Reception/Admin
a. Reception

b. Waiting

c. Executive Offices

d. Conference Room

e. Offices

f. Copy/Printing

g Counseling room

h. Bathrooms

3. Yoga
a. 4 Yoga Classrooms

b. Locker/Changing Rooms

c. Outdoor Classrooms

4. Meditation
a. Meditation hall

b. Contemplation space

c. Gathering space
5. Treatment and Health spa

a. Reception

b. Office

c. Massage and therapy Rooms

d. Lounge

e. Patio

f. Outdoor bath tubs

g. Bathrooms

5. Dining/Meeting Hall

a. Dining/Meeting Room

b. Outdoor Dining Patio

c. Kitchen

d. Preparation Area

e. Kitchen Dry Storage

f. Refrigerator/Freezer

g. Office

h. Bathroom

6. Recreational Space
a. Art therapy room

b. Music room

c. Gym

d. Garden area

e. Workshops
f. Communal spaces

7. Services
a. Deliveries/Services

b. Services Office

c. Mechanical

d. Loading Dock

e. Bathroom

8. Parking

a. Retreat

b. Staff

Housing
1. Staff Housing Cluster

a. Studio, 1 & 2 Bedroom

b. Bathroom

c. Kitchen

2. Retreat Housing Cluster

a. Private Individual with some Space in housing

b. 4-6 Bedroom cluster

c. Shared Bathroom

6.4 User profile and time period

PRACTITIONERS

(VISITORS )
 • Mediator: Can be of any age, and may or may not have formal religious ties. A
person who wants to pursue mindfulness, being aware of one’s own body and
surroundings.
• Yogi: A yogi engages in step by step procedure by which body and mind are
disciplined. A yogi practices thoroughly series of exercises which were first
mapped out by the early sages
• Dancers: A dancer is basically a person who moves his or her body and feet in
rhythm to music. But in terms of this study, the user dancer can be referred to a
person waiting to attain spirituality or to reach the level of super consciousness
through the activity of dance.
• Rejuvenators: it can be the person who wants to live healthy lifestyle. It can be
referred to one who peruses wellness which is active process of becoming aware
and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than
being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth.
• Recreators : person who pursue leisure activities. Leisure is a mental and
spiritual attitude. It is not laziness, but rather an inner silence that enables one to
experience the reality. One is able to apprehend the world, to encounter parts of
reality that we often miss in our daily toil.
•
FUNCTIONERIES

• Trainers/instructors
• Coordinators / Consultors
• Therapist
• Librarians
• Cooks
• Supervisor/ caretaker
• Admin staff
• Shopkeepers
• Guests for short training
SUPPORTING STAFF

• Security guards
 • Service providers
• House keepers
• Assistants
• Cleaners
• Janitors
• Drivers
• Gardeners
• Helpers
MASTERS/ GURUS

• Spiritual guides
• Teachers

6.5 Architectural standards