DHM
T RU E N AT U R E H EA L I N G A RT S Carbondale, CO
TRUE NATURE HEALING ARTS Carbondale, Colorado
The True Nature Healing Arts (TNHA) garden is a peaceful sanctuary, free and open to the public from dawn to dusk. The therapeutic environment incorporates several healing modalities, including a labyrinth, reflexology path, outdoor yoga space, outdoor massage area, and contemplative gardens. The movement between gardens and building is completely integrated and activity moves seamlessly from one area to the next. Designed to inspire, each element is carefully conceived and shaped to support the healing work undertaken at the yoga studio and spa. The site of TNHA was originally a rail yard along the historic Rio Grande Western Railroad. After close to a century of use, train operations ceased and the corridor was repurposed through the rails to trails program into a vital bike and pedestrian trail which runs along the northern border of the site. The transformation of this previously underutilized space is remarkable. A concerted effort was made to soften the hard edges and linear geometry of the old rail yard. The existing chain link fence along the bike path was painted and then masked with locally harvested scrub oak branches, creating a beautiful organic texture along the garden’s edge and a custom arching entrance beckons trail users to explore the gardens.
PROJECT TEAM Deva and Eaden Shantay | Owners DHM Design Basalt Mountain Gardens Megan Miller Robert Schultz Consulting LLC Sopris Engineering TerraLink Land + Shelter Lea Sisson Architecture Colin Dewesbury Interiors
AWARDS ASLA Colorado 2014 Merit Award Governor’s Award 2016 Best New Addition to a Downtown
CONTEXTUAL DESIGN The site is anchored by the yoga studio, kitchen, and boutique. Great care was taken in merging the building with the surrounding garden and design elements. The energy created in the building spills out into the garden and vice versa, creating seamless transitions between the spaces. The site design is filled with curving organic forms, circles, and spirals. Warmly colored, s-shaped steel screens overlap each other along the western border of the garden, both screening the parking and adjacent buildings and containing the energy of the space. Curvilinear paths meander from the studio through the gardens, connecting various design elements that are used by visitors to cultivate healing and balance. Site planning for the garden was an intensely purposeful process, incorporating the discerning skills of feng shui practitioners and the ayurvedic principles that are central to the healing practices of TNHA. Ayurvedic philosophy believes that balancing the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether (space) leads to physical, mental, and spiritual health. Representations of these elements are integrated throughout the site - on a macro and micro level - and in combinations and relationships that achieve a sense of calming, grounded balance. This philosophy drove the site analysis, shaped design concepts and was integral to the project through completion.
THE YOGA SPIRAL The yoga spiral is the first and most obvious outpouring of activity from the adjacent yoga studio. The spiral was designed for informal gathering and to accommodate outdoor classes of up to 30 students. The spiral represents the Earth element and expresses characteristics of grounding, stability, and strength. The concrete spiral is deeply rooted into the ground so that no shifting or movement occurs. Innovative construction techniques allowed the team to pour a perfect spiral that descends from the yoga studio, into a clover lawn where classes and community gatherings can be held.
THE FIRE CIRCLE The yoga spiral connects to the fire circle. A warm and inviting place to gather, the fire circle represents the Fire element and signifies transformation, truth, and connection. The central fire area is surrounded by three locally crafted earthen (cob) couches. The forms of the cob couches were made of local clay, sand and straw and then covered with a beautiful traditional Moroccan finish called Tadelakt. Tadelakt is a completely waterproof polished plaster made from lime and finished with olive oil soap. It’s texture is sensuous; hard like stone, but smooth and shiny with a subtle wave texture that creates soft color variations when illuminated by daylight or the fire’s glow. Community workshops were held throughout the building process to share this ancient plaster technique with others.
THE LABYRINTH Encircled by chokecherries, the hand-cut Fossil Sandstone path is lined with soft plantings of thyme that wind toward the center. Labyrinth walking is a powerful healing and meditative practice used for millennia by different cultures across the globe. A representation of the Ether element, the labyrinth facilitates a connection with spirit and provides visitors with a space of quiet reflection and meditation.
THE REFLEXOLOGY PATH Another therapeutic area of the garden is the reflexology path which incorporates all five elements of the Ayurveda philosophy. Practiced for thousands of years in Asia, foot reflexology is the practice of manipulating pressure points in the feet to improve health in corresponding parts of the body. An instructional plaque and cues etched into stones, guide visitors as they walk barefoot along the path. Each section is composed of specific types of stone which target different areas of the body. The reflexology path is a moving collaboration of different disciplines dedicated to the intentional placement of the therapeutic stones. Plantings surround the path to complement the corresponding elements.
THE KIVA Kivas are circular underground structures, used for spiritual ceremonies and gathering spaces. Kivas exist in various forms across the southwest and were used by Ancestral Puebloans as far back as 500 AD. The Kiva at True Nature draws design inspiration from various cultures to create a space that inspires personal growth and community interaction. A joining of earth and heaven, the building is partly subterranean, surrounded by the peace gardens and covered with a green roof and Zen garden. The central ceremony and yoga space encircles a large skylight that opens and connects energetically to the sky above. World class spa facilities are incorporated into the south side of the building, providing a private regenerative experience. The centerpiece of the second phase is the Kiva : a large circular structure used traditionally for ceremonies and special gatherings
THE MOON GATE
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DHM designed a custom circular moon gate which welcomes visitors to the Kiva and Zen garden area.
THE GREEN ROOF & ZEN GARDEN Atop the Kiva is a green roof and Zen garden. While traditional Zen gardens emphasize meditation and quiet observation of the imperfect perfection (wabi sabi) of the garden, True Nature’s Zen garden is intended to foster interaction : meditation through motion. Rakeable gravel, simple native plantings, and boulders will all contribute to the minimal, contemplative aesthetic. A significant challenge was presented by the multi-ton boulders to coordinate with the structural load capacity of the building. As a solution, each was sliced and hollowed out, allowing for the use of this native stone while maintaining the structural integrity of the building. Once hollowed out, the boulders were strategically placed above the Kiva’s structural columns. Plantings on the green roof will consist of a drought tolerant meadow mix within a 12” soil base.
WATER One of the greatest assets and challenges of the site is that it is the geographical low point for the neighborhood. A large stormwater ditch is required to capture and transport the significant amounts of water that are channeled through the property. While the ditch needed to be covered for safety reasons, we wanted to maintain an open channel in order for the sound and energy of running water to continue to permeate the space. Covered with a corten grate, native meadow grasses planted to the edge will allow visitors to stroll along the edge and will enable maintenance access as required for the Town.
True Nature is an incredible asset to the community and will undoubtedly draw visitors in search of an inspirational environment from around the world. The garden successfully accommodates large gatherings and simultaneously supports an intimate and reflective experience for individuals. The various therapeutic elements have been integrated into the site to feel connected yet private and each detail of the site has been intentionally crafted to support and augment the healing work of TNHA.
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