Location: Madgaonadanapalli village, 60km south of Bangalore, Tamilnadu.

Cost of Construction: Rs 3.4 crores

Built-up Area: 21000 sqft.

Yoga Nikāya is a place of learning and teaching, for those who share the spirit of yoga as a way of life. It provides space for yoga and meditation. Cottages, dormitories and dining facilities are provided. The observatory is a place to view the space above and learn about its scientific and spiritual references.

MASTER PLAN

The idea of putting the buildings together in the farm, between the fruit trees, banana orchard and the flowering plants was challenging. References from site features were first identified – row of trees, swales, mounds and corners. The emerging geometry was then used to inscribe the lines of movement and siting of buildings. The building footprints also respond to this geometry and carry it to their form. The plaza in the form of a square is abutted by the 4 spaces that form the institutional activity – reception, yoga, meditation and performance.

THE PANCHABHUTAS – earth, water, fire, air and space, receive both poetic and technical attention.
Sustainable measures of water conservation, solar power, waste treatment and use of recycled material are integrated into the planning and design.

VAYU (AIR) – WIND

Enables the site to breathe, letting air move through the landscape and buildings.

AGNI (FIRE) – LIGHT AND HEAT

The plaza, where sun rays always touch the ground, becomes the heart of activity. Here, we celebrate the three sources of light and heat – sun, fire and the lamp.

JAL (WATER)

Water flows through the site with purpose – to irrigate the landscape, and to invigorate the land.

PRITHVI (EARTH)

Use of local, natural materials for their qualities of texture, structure, insulation or transparency.

AKASH (SPACE)

The site exists in the space, under the sky, in its eternal cycle, but is influenced by the changes in the man-made surroundings.

The Panchamahabhutas are used in a poetic as well as a literal way. They give direction to the concepts for Planning and Design of the place.