This course is a rare opportunity to conduct a deep and transformative exploration of natural design, the power of space and form, the creative process, and our relationship with these. The full one-year course will lead us through the birth of a life-affirming space — from the initial site studies to design to construction, with meaningful participation in each stage of the process.
Overview
THIS COURSE IS NOW FULLY BOOKED AND ADMISSIONS ARE CLOSED. YOU’RE WELCOME TO CHECK FOR FUTURE COURSES HERE.
Dates: 7th Feb 2022 until 4th Feb 2023, with option to stay longer
Duration: This course is structured around cycles of approximately one year, which is the minimum period for a well-rounded experience and completion of the whole course syllabus. For those who wish to gain further experience and deepen learning, it is possible to stay longer. And in certain cases it may be possible to participate for a shorter period as well, so applicants are encouraged to contact us with any questions or concerns about duration.
Location: Dharmalaya Institute, Bir, India
Course type: Immersive residential
Modular structure: Four intensive workshop-retreats, with practicums and breaks in between
Cost: Sliding scale (see course info page for details)
Prerequisites: None for the first module. It is possible that there may be prerequisites for later modules (such as completion of prior modules).
COVID-19 note: We all hope that the threat of covid-19 will pass as quickly as possible, but as long as the virus continues to be a very real danger for our village staff members and their families, some of whom are especially vulnerable and lack reliable access to competent medical care, for their safety it will be a strict requirement that all participants must be fully vaccinated against covid-19 at least two weeks before arrival at Dharmalaya Institute. Other precautions may also be required depending on the status of the pandemic and WHO recommendations in effect at the time.
Course synopsis
The course will integrate theory and practice: a spacious and in-depth design studio process and hands-on building work, supported by a rich syllabus structured to support the interdisciplinary breadth of the course, exploring nature’s geometry, design principles, a contemplative approach to the creative process, and one’s growth as a designer, as a builder, and as a caring and empowered human.
One of the greatest and rarest benefits of this particular course is the opportunity to live on the site you’re designing for, to have a chance to become much more intimate with the land and thus to achieve a new level of site-responsive design, and to have an uncommonly spacious period of time to develop a project from pre-concept to completion.
Nourished by a daily meditation and yoga programme, this is a holistic and embodied course that seeks to engage the whole of us in the exploration of nature in space and form.
Who is this course for?
Anyone with a deep interest in the arts and crafts of nature-inspired design and working with sacred space, whether or not you have formal training in design or architecture or other relevant prior experience.
FULL COURSE DESCRIPTION AND APPLICATION AVAILABLE HERE.