DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE

A contemplative approach to place-making, rooted in the ways of nature

Our approach to design and architecture is reverent recognition of the wisdom and beauty of nature, which inspires us to work in concert with her laws, forms and patterns.

CONTEMPLATIVE DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE

Contemplative Design is a sensitive approach to design (from the seeds of design thinking to the craft of making), which aspires to create in harmony with nature, in both the process and the product. It is patient and meditative, holistic and embodied.

Contemplative Architecture is contemplative design applied to space and form. It recognises the power of architecture to transform our sense of ourselves and our world. It is the art of placemaking which is inspired by and seeks to be in harmony with nature.

› Read about the importance of Vernacular Eco-Architecture

LEARNING DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE AT DHARMALAYA INSTITUTE

‘To design in harmony with nature, we must make space to feel ourselves as part of nature, and from that connected place we observe the way nature designs.’
— Mark Moore, cofounder of Dharmalaya Institute

Contemplative, natural design is a way of life, whether we apply it in art, architecture, or any other sphere. The aspiration is to become so immersed in our practice that we are nourished and gradually transformed by the process, so that our design process shapes us as much as we shape our designs. We aspire toward design and architecture that embody and reflects a sense of harmony and connectedness with the natural, the sacred.

Perched on a forested hillside in the foothills of the Himalayas, our eco-campus provides a peaceful and healthy environment with nature-friendly buildings and nutritious plant-based meals to support you in your deepening relationship with nature and the joy of natural design.

Our flagship course in design and architecture is a long-term residential course called ‘Natural Design and Contemplative Architecture’. For details on that course, see our Immersive Courses page.

Architects (both practicing and students alike) who want to deepen their knowledge of the theory and practice of earthen architecture may also be interested in our Internship in Vernacular Eco-Architecture, a programme developed jointly by award-winning eco-architect Didi Contractor and Dharmalaya Institute cofounder Mark Moore.

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Dharmalaya Institute

How to Make Adobe Bricks

Dharmalaya Institute

Let’s take a closer look at the adobe brick itself. Building an adobe structure that will stand the test of time begins with using best practices for each individual brick. As the saying goes, ‘a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The same is true for buildings.

Dharmalaya Institute

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