Zazen Retreat Richmond Park – ST

ZAZEN RETREAT – CONTEMPORARY SUKIYA, MEDITATION & RELAXATION SPACE

ISABELLA PLANTATION, RICHMOND PARK, LONDON
Embodying our connection to Nature, the design of this Zazen wellbeing retreat sees Nature as an infinite yet ever changing presence –
the design frames and captures moments which bring reflection, transformation and stillness.

BRIEF

The retreat houses a traditional wabi sabi style tea ceremony room (sukiya). Quality of mind and improved physical health – bringing about well-being – is cultivated through sitting meditation, known as zazen in Japanese. Three main schools of zen in Japan are Soto, Rinazi and Obaku. In addition, the retreat accommodates four people with sleeping and washing facilities, a space to meditate and relax, a small kitchen and views of the surrounding area.

ABOUT THE LOCATION

The Isabella Plantation within Richmond Park is a place of outstanding natural beauty. A small stream runs through the plantation and the light, colour, texture and forms allow one to feel immersed in nature, being very calming to all of the senses. Isabella starts to bloom in late March and is known for its beautiful rhododendrons and Japanese Kurume Azaleas.

Roji Path and tea room – wabi sabi style sukiya

Guest rooms – bed, study area and onsen suite with skylight overlooking nature

Relaxing area – tatami mats, shoin desk, tokonoma and access to verandah around perimeter

The entire retreat has been designed on a ken grid, comprising of ken and shaku.
1 shaku = 30.30cm 1 ken = 1.818 m

DESIGN RESEARCH

The space planning and 3D models explored a verandah, as a way to connect the outside and in. Materials such as clay, with imprinted botanicals, small rock formations and light play were explored. The zen garden, wabi sabi and tea ceremony are closely linked and shin-gyo-so is used to interpret the coexistence of formal and informal styles of Japanese architecture and gardening. All of these were explored.

THE RETREAT – DESIGN RATIONALE

The narrative of the changing seasons and the worship of the surrounding nature – water, trees, flowers, rocks, clearings, ponds and streams – will be a focal point. Small rock arrangements were one of the first features thought to be inspired by Zen Buddhism. Set within a tranquil clearing by Thomson's Pond and close to Still Pond, the palette will comprise of natural colours whilst materials will be timber, clay and silk. Views will be framed to give contemplative panoramas. Translucency and softness will allow poetic light play. Rusticity and wabi sabi will play a part as an integral connection to the tea ceremony and zen. Linear zoning constructed on a ken measurement grid will give guests the ability to move around the perimeter verandah, contemplating the outdoors. The verandah is an ample 4 shaku wide. The bedrooms are screened from the communal space to reduce noise and promote tranquility. Each guest room has a secret 'garden' with onsen style tub and private study space, with views onto nature. There is a transitional area across to the tearoom, offering a low sliding entrance or accessible standard door entrance.

JOURNEY into NATURE

tea ceremony chanoyu and sukiya style

ikebana (way of flowers) dates back to the heian period

wabi sabi

seasons

light

soul

GUEST BEDROOM AND ONSEN – WITH JAPANESE MAPLE

The bedroom is very simple yet comfortable and offers a private writing area with a view to nature.

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The entrance is through a shoji sliding door with a large closet to one side and bed to the other. Layouts alternate to minimse noise across the four accommodation spaces. A soft linen curtain offers a boundary between the bed and writing area and the tub suite can be sealed off with sliding door. WC access discreetly hidden from tub and bed area. Soft bamboo flooring and timber clad wall areas offer warmth and noise insulation.

RELAXATION AREA AND ROJI PATH

The Roji Path is mainly a dry garden with rock formation akin to the shapes seen around Thompson's Pond, and origami cranes. Cranes signify longevity and were used in gardens from the Heian Period. The Roji Path typically leads to the tearoom to allow the guests to clear their mind before meditating. Guests enter the tea room by stepping up and through a low sliding door (alternative regular door is also available). Shou sugi ban panels emulate emptiness and abstract landscape, with staggered uplights to cast an architectural glow on the rough textured walls.

Section – showing tub suite and bedroom, corridor, relaxing area with tatami mats, verandah

Section – showing entrance, relaxing area with shoin desk, corridor, bedroom and study area

SOURCING

LEFT: MEDITATION AREA AND TEA ROOM – silk blinds, paper moon pendant, Mu Bench, Zika Sofa, ClayLime Hors Saison 2 and notepaper (walls in tearoom),
tatami mats (tearoom and relaxation area), botanical imprinted tokonoma (relaxation area), Dinesen HeartOak flooring.
MIDDLE: BEDROOM – Ballet Plie pendant a-emotion light by Arturo Alvarez, wall mural by London Art, oak platform single storage bed, bamboo flooring.
RIGHT: TUB SUITE – onsen style tub, Crosswater Glide II Windsor Oak wall mounted basin unit, botanicals (Japanese Maple).