An Array of Serenity

The array of forest trees at Cape Kolka greatly inspired the setting out of the Yoga House on the ground. It is extracted from the unique curve arrangement of the forest trees and translated into how a single building could respond to the natural environment in the same way. Through research, this slight but prominent curve is an output of a design that echos many aspects of the local reference; for example, the significant coastline at the gulf of Riga, the longest waterfall in Europe- The Venta Waterfall and many other notable natural landscape.

Coincidently, this linear narrative is also derived from the local history and culture in a different perspective. The Baltic Way in 1989 is a peaceful political demonstration with two million people joining hands to form a human chain spanning 690 km across the three Baltic states, corresponding to the forest trees formation. As one of the last corners of Europe to join Christendom, Latvians still possess the tradition of worshipping nature by jumping over bonfires at Midsummer Eve, and many families’ surnames are birds, animals or trees related.

Hence the Yoga House is set to be anchored by a centre space, to celebrate and fully understand nature as it could be experienced for all guests and visitors. By incorporating elements of the local context, the Yoga House’s design exudes a sense of humbleness, robustness, and earthiness while remaining warm, welcoming, and comfortable for users.