LOOM - Immersive cultural retreat center in Yangon, Myanmar

Project idea

The idea of this project is to address the decline of traditional textile weaving practices in Myanmar by creating an immersive cultural retreat centre. The retreat aims to preserve and promote sustainable weaving traditions, empower local artisans, and offer holistic cultural experiences for international and local visitors. It integrates education, community engagement, and environmental consciousness to revive and sustain weaving as both cultural heritage and livelihood.

Project description

The project is an immersive cultural retreat centre dedicated to promoting traditional and sustainable textile weaving practices, empowering local weavers, and offering holistic and enriching cultural experiences for visitors in Yangon, Myanmar.It includes guest accommodations, weaving pavilions, artisan retail spaces, holistic wellness studios, and educational workshops.
At LOOM, visitors engage with Myanmar's weaving cultural heritage through exhibitions, workshops and collaboration with local artisans while providing direct exposure and market opportunities for weavers.
The centre emphasises sustainability with a closed-loop system that recycles textile waste from garment factories into yarn and acoustic materials.

Technical information

The construction utilises a blend of reclaimed and sustainable materials such as Ø50mm bamboo poles, recycled textile yarn, precast concrete tiles, and fluted wood panels. Transparent solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and cross-ventilation are integrated to enhance energy efficiency. The design mimics the structure of a weaving loom using vertical and horizontal spatial strategies to create interconnected pathways, encouraging interaction and immersion. Acoustic panels made from textile waste are used to enhance indoor comfort and reduce sound pollution.

Documentation

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