Ayu: An Ayurvedic Research & Wellness Centre in Riverston

SLIIT

Project idea

The context for 'Ayu' is set within the heart of Riverston, Sri Lanka, a hidden gem with an abundance of healing herbs and Ayurvedic practices. The region has evolved over time as a popular tourist destination, due to its allure and natural abundance. However presently, there is a the disconnect between the visitors and the context due to the “Stop-over” module of tourism, where an impactful experience of the forest is not felt. This is due to a lack of contact time at the sites and only having a surface level experience.

In order to reconnect the visitors with the context, the local context is explored for a solution medium. Ayurvedic Treatment, which is seen locally was identified to raise awareness through experience and provide a holistic connection between body and mind. Through this, a culturally inclusive, and sustainable ayurvedic tourism can be acknowledged as the identity of Riverston.

The primary goal of the project is to reshape the tourist experience while forming a deeper connection with between the visitor and the context, while simultaneously uplifting the local community of the region.

Project description

The proposed project is an Ayurvedic Research and Wellness Center, with the hopes of shining a new light onto the local context and Ayurvedic. A sequence of spaces guides the visitor through the design, where they experience a total healing of the body and mind ending their journey with a reflection space.
The design aims at providing the visitor an immersive experience of healing in order to understand the importance of Ayurvedic treatment and its’ medicinal herbs. In addition, research into existing herbal plants and their technological applications in Ayurvedic is expected. The design hopes to introduce a new form of “Ayurvedic Tourism” to the context, as a culturally relevant and sustainable tourism module, eventually shaping the identity of the town on a national and later a global standing.

Concept:
“Inspire to Reconnect” is the concept for the design, following the essence of ayurvedic practice to create a sequence of spaces to reconnect the visitor with the context.
The visitor is given a barren experience at first conceptualizing life before the healing, and later progresses to healing the body and mind while seeing glimpses and varied views of the landscape to finally being exposed to the full panoramic view, signifying the end of the journey and a place of reflection.
This progression of healing mimicked with the volume and nature of the spaces and the greenery incorporated, with the commencement space being barren and earthy to the final space being engulfed with greenery.

Technical information

Spatial:
The spatial progression of the design was conceptualized with the goal of providing a total immersive experience through ayurvedic treatment in order to allow visitors to reconnect with the context. This was achieved by curating a sequence of spaces from the entrance lobby to the exit. The primary philosophy of the design is a total healing of body and mind, thus, the activity and positioning of spaces are decided to best cater this function, with an amalgamation of the two being the main space, signifying spiritual upliftment. Ramps are used to form movement definitions adhering the flow of ayurvedic philosophy and the visitors are guided to the post-climax space for contemplation. From here the return journey moves through ayurvedic herbal landscaping to finally conclude the journey.

Environmental:
The building form is generated through a context sensitive approach, adhering to the site forces while maintaining the overall philosophy. The concept of passive energy solutions is explored in the design, as a strategy to reduce the operational energy of the building. Locally relevant eco-friendly materials allowed the design to fulfil the philosophical and architectural needs as well as to minimize the embodied carbon from sourcing and transportation of materials to the end of the lifecycle.

Structural:
From the inception of the design, the building was conceptualized as a context responsive design, to maintain the psychological relationship between the locals and the building. Interviews conducted with the villagers on field study suggest a distain towards new constructions as they lack relevance to the locals traditional building methods and are seen as alien. According to the locals, concrete and steel heavy constructions take away from the natural beauty of the landscape, which is evident upon observation.

Thus, the building is attempts to involve local construction techniques and materials to foster a strong connection between man and building. This encompasses strategies related to joinery, traditional roof construction, wall construction etc, with minimum usage of concrete and steel. This philosophy corelated with the conceptual approach of the design as well, enhancing the feeling of total healing through ayurvedic practices and providing a refreshing grounding experience to the visitors from the bustling urban cities.