This nature retreat is dedicated for visitors to have a place for  work, rest, and conversation while acquiring an elevated experience of the meadow in Discovery Park. The idea of building on a meadow, which is perceived as a very calm, peaceful and quiet paradise triggered the concept that it is such a sacred environment that it would be a disgrace to build on it. The initial idea is to respect the site as it is, and construct a structure that would leave a minimal footprint. The intention is to create something that is non monumental, but rather a building that would blend in and conform to the nature of the site, to compliment to its surroundings and not take away the beauty that is already in there.

 

From early design iterations, the building started as a simple horizontal strip to minimize the footprint, then developed into a transept plan with the intent of framing the forest to provide protection and privacy to work and rest spaces for the users. The other end of the building, which houses the living and gathering spaces, opens up to the grassland, to give a sense of expansion to the meadow that will connect the users to nature during a time of retreat and reflection. The house is also designed with a green roof ramp to extend the character of the site to the building itself, creating an impression that it is blending in to its surroundings.