Symbiont / A Meditation Space is my final Year 1 project at the Glasgow School of Art.
It is designed for one or two people willing to relax and experience the soothing effect of silent contemplation of the beauty of surrounding nature.
Located on a rocky seashore in Portencross, Scotland, across the sea from the Isle of Arran, the site has very beutiful surroundings. The view towards Arran is especially breathtaking during sunsets...
Section/Plan/Elevations 1:50
Hand-drawn in ink and watercolors.
The shape of the rocks and boulders found along the shoreline was the main inspiration behind the design. The idea was to create a form that would resemble the nature of the surroundings but not blend in completely to signify in a way the spiritual importance of the Meditation Space.
1:50 Models
Charred balsa wood, acetate, papier-mache for the rocky texture of the site.
The crystal-like structure would be clad in charred wood on the outside and finished in fine warm-tone timber on the inside. The contrasting combination of the coarse exterior and soft interior is a symbol of the core principle of any meditative practice – to reach for the true potential and spirituality that lies within and not on the outside.
The Meditation Space can be opened up on all sides directed towards the most pleasing views as well as year-round sunsets by manually lifting up the panels, or enclosed, allowing for a meditation in semi-darkness, as light would be entering softly through a skylight. Special apertures at the bottom of the walls would allow for the space to be filled with relaxing sounds of waves if desired, creating a fuller visual, tactile and auditory experience.
