Australian Capital Territory
Yoga Mandir is a collaboration with our clients the Molonglo Group, within the greater Dairy Road development at Fyshwick, and is an exercise in design restraint to heighten an immersive experience.
Inspired by the attainment of Samyama, the integration of the body and mind, Yoga Mandir evokes a journey to renewal by activating the senses.
The moodily lit entry space, prepares the users for the tranquility of the communal main studio space. A dark fibre cement dado, frames sculptural arrangement of furniture and pendants that work in counterpoint to the ensconcing plywood of the main studio, gently lit by bespoke canvas sling lights.
Yoga Mandir activates the senses through a distillation of light and materiality, creating a space of tranquility and connectedness.
My brief was to create a school which was a reflective space where students come to look within; a place of refuge in the busyness of life.
In yoga we understand that the senses interact with space. Natural textured plywood walls and soft lighting shades create an intimate, warm space with reflected light, whilst cork flooring is soft underfoot and retains warmth from heating panels above, collectively supporting meditative practice.
The school moto is ‘to find the still point in a turning world’ and the design delivers on this perfectly. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
