In this 10 day immersive residential workshop-retreat, we’ll explore how the natural elements can shape, nurture and inspire the built environment. Through a balanced ciriculum of hands on learning and meaningful contemplation, participants will come away with not only practical skills, but also a deep appreciation for what it means to build in relationship with nature.
Overview
Program Type : Residential retreat
Topic : Five elements in Architecture
Dates : 17th-26th September, 2025
Language : English,Hindi
Facilitator : Ar.Parul Sharma & Dharmalaya team
Exploring the 5 elements in architecture
At Dharmalaya, we see architecture not as a subject, but as a living conversation between the body, the earth, and the elements. A well-built home doesn’t just shelter you, it breathes with you, it warms you, it soothes and nourishes you. When you walk into a building, you can feel the space, sometimes it lifts you, sometimes it drains you. A house, a room, even a simple mud wall holds a pulse. That pulse is the same rhythm that moves in your own breath, in your blood, in the quiet turning of the seasons.
In the serene foothills of the Dhauladhar mountains, surrounded by forests and bird songs, join us for a 10-day experiential retreat exploring the Five Elements. Explore how earth, water, fire, air, and space flow through our own bodies, and how these same elements, when woven into the art and craft of architecture, can shape buildings that feel alive.
“This body is made of five fundamental elements- earth, water, fire, air and
space. The quality of your life essentially depends on how wonderful these five
elements are within you.”
About this workshop
Why the Five Elements?
In Ayurveda, the five elements (Pancha Mahabhutas) -Prithvi (Earth), Jala (Water), Agni(Fire), Vayu (Air), and Akasha (Space) - form the foundation of life, health, and balance.
Everything in the universe, including the human body and the built environment, is considered a combination of these elements. Ayurveda looks at them not only as physical substances but also as energies and qualities that shape our experience of the world.
Across cultures, the Five Elements have been understood as the building blocks of life. In architecture, they are not just metaphors, they are literal forces shaping our life, homes and communities. This retreat offers a chance to understand each element intimately: through touch, observation, and the act of creation itself.
A Journey Through the Elements
EARTH - Land, Landscape and Building Material
We will begin with learning to read the soil beneath our feet- its colour, texture, and moisture. And exploring together how traditional techniques honour the land while creating strong, breathable structures. Through hands-on sessions, we’ll mix mud plasters, form adobe bricks, and shape earthen walls. And learning how working with earth creates buildings that breathe, regulate temperature naturally, and age gracefully with time.
WATER - Flow, Nourish, Harvest and Recycle
Trace the journey of water on a site, from rainfall to seepage and see how architecture and landscape can nurture and conserve this life-giving element. Experience water’s role in building, from the mixing of mortar to the curing of earthen walls, and reflect on its role in creating soothing experience and passive techniques in a structure.
FIRE - Energy and Warmth
From the warmth of a solar cooker to the heat stored in a sun-facing wall, fire shapes how we live and feel in a space. We will explore passive solar principles, natural light and traditional heating and cooking systems, understanding how heat can be harnessed when needed and restricted when not.
AIR - Breath of a Building
Learn to work with the wind designing openings, courtyards, and wall systems that invite air to circulate naturally, keeping spaces fresh, healthy, and cool in summer while warm in winter. Spend time noticing the subtle movement of air around you, indoors and out. Through observation and design exercises, you’ll learn how to harness natural ventilation by placing windows, doors, and courtyards in ways that invite airflow without losing warmth in winter.
SPACE - The Unseen Element
Space is the essence that holds all others. Beyond walls and roofs lies the heart of architecture “space” itself. We will reflect on proportion and the emptiness within , and the ways a space can uplift the spirit. Through mindful observation and simple exercises, you’ll learn to read a space for its energy, harmony, and sense of belonging. Through mindful observation walks, proportion exercises, and orientation, you’ll learn to read a space for balance, harmony, and life force understanding how to make architecture that feels alive and nourishing.
Programme structure
How We Learn?
Guided by the ethos of slow living and learning by doing, this retreat offers a deep dive into how the natural elements can shape, nurture and inspire the built environment. Drawing from vernacular traditions, ecological design principles and meditative awareness, we will work with our hands, our senses and our hearts to understand the intimate dialogue between nature and shelter; in a campus built by hand, from earth and stone, with the ethos of mindful craftsmanship. Each day unfolds in a rhythm that balances hands-on practice with reflective conversation, community living with solitary moments and, the tangible skills of building with the intangible wisdom of nature.
This retreat is not a classroom, it’s a living laboratory.
You will:
• Work on live building example on the building designed by Didi Contractor, and hands on alongside master craftsmen, feeling each element in your hands.
• Observe how the mountains, the sun, and the wind themselves shape design decisions.
• Join guided conversations on the ancient wisdom of the Five Elements, vernacular architecture, and human well-being.
• Community cooking, cleaning, working, and resting together, understanding architecture as a shared life, not just a built form.
Orientation
This is not a classroom course, it is learning by living. Your days will be filled with:
• Hands-on building sessions alongside skilled facilitators, where you’ll learn by feeling materials, using traditional tools, and engaging your whole body in the act of creation.
• Guided discussions and storytelling about vernacular architecture, ecological design, and the cultural history of building with the Five Elements.
• Contemplative practices like silent observation walks, sketching spaces, and working mindfully, helping you connect the craft of building with the inner work of awareness.
• Community living, where we share meals, chores, and conversations under starlit skies, understanding architecture not just as a physical act, but as part of a social and ecological whole.
By the end of these ten days, you will not only have gained practical skills from mixing mud plaster to designing with airflow but also a felt understanding of what it means to build in relationship with nature. As building is not only about bricks and beams but it is also about breath and heartbeat. When we build in harmony with the elements, we build in harmony with ourselves.
Orientation
During the first day, participants will enjoy an orientation process designed to help you settle in, understand key concepts and skills of the program, and integrate into the Dharmalaya life, including a campus tour and introductory talks.
Hands-on work
Guided by your facilitator, Parul, you will be given preparatory training on safety, teamwork, and how to prepare the tools, materials, worksites, etc. before beginning to work with natural materials such as mud, adobe, lipai and natural plasters
Conceptual explorations
Throughout the workshop, we will enjoy activities to support theoretical understanding and personal reflection.
Presentations and movie screenings and discussions on the primary topics – including craft, natural materials, Didi Contractor’s philosophy and work
Reading, reflection, journaling questions and observation activities, based on the various interrelated topics of the programme
Held spaces for contemplative practice in the early mornings: meditation (walking or sitting practice)
Note: The exact work to be done during the programme is subject to change according to a number of factors, including the weather, time-sensitive tasks, staff holidays, and so on.
Who is this programme for?
Architects, designers, students, and builders curious about natural and sustainable design.
Seekers of a slower, more connected way of learning and living.
Anyone wishing to experience the joy of creating with nature.
This programme is open to anyone wishing to:
Make an in-depth, interdisciplinary exploration of compassionate living and caring community
Be a part of a small, intimate group of kindred spirits collaborating in service
Reflect honestly on your outer and inner life, with the intention to learn and grow
Experience well-being through simple, healthy living and daily contemplative practice in an ashram-style environment
Remain safely within our Himalayan eco-campus for the entire duration of them programme (without visiting town, etc.)
Qualities that the ideal candidates should have:
Physical fitness and readiness to do hard work every day
Sensitive and respectful to the experience and needs of others
Generous spirit: sincerely wanting to give even more than you receive
Team player, agreeable and cooperative, happy to do whatever is needed
Self-motivated to work and excel (not needing too much urging by others)
Honest with both self and others, putting integrity first
Motivated to improve oneself and takes constructive feedback well, with gratitude
What to expect
Two of the keys to happiness are: (1) to have realistic expectations to begin with; and (2) not to be too attached to those expectations, but rather to stay flexible as life unfolds. With that in mind, here are some of the things participants should expect (while remembering to keep a flexible attitude):
Full-time programme focus: This programme is called ‘immersive’ because the point is to be completely focused on the programme. While there will be some time for rest, reading/journaling, and personal reflection, there won’t be time for activities unrelated to the programme. While you’re here, the expectation is that your full attention will be focused on the programme experience from start to finish.
Plenty of physical work: Most of the work to be done is physical, and some of it requires physical endurance, so it’s best to be prepared both physically and psychologically for a lot of hard work. One key to happiness here is to keep a very positive and enthusiastic attitude about the work, knowing that you’re making the world a better place in a small way, which makes it a joy.
Supportive routine: A daily rhythm of contemplative practice, outdoor activities, discussions, and silent meditation time.
Natural simplicity: Rustic accommodations in natural earthen buildings or comfortable tents in a beautiful forest setting.
Yogic lifestyle: Clean and simple ashram-style lifestyle in which everyone contributes to the running of the place, including cleaning, washing dishes, etc. No smoking or intoxicants.
Life on campus: To support all participants to get the most out of the programme, it is designed so that all the time will be spent on Dharmalaya’s beautiful six-acre campus. Accordingly, participants should plan to remain on campus for the duration of the programme and be fully present for the community experience.
Healthy food: Natural and mostly organic, purely vegetarian meals (100% plant-based, vegan). No junk food or packaged snacks, etc.
Digital detox: There will be no use of mobile phones or internet from 9-5 or during evening sessions so that everyone stays focused on the group tasks, and present with one another — and with our own experience. For those who are normally glued to your phones, it may take some adjustment at first but soon you’ll be amazed how much better you feel engaging with nature and good work with good people rather than the screen.
Campus life and the experience of living in community
Most of our past long-term participants tell us that experience of being a part of the Dharmalaya community, living and working together, is one of the best parts of the experience for them.
We emphasize a culture of kindness and cooperation rather than selfishness and competition, and it’s great to live with kindred spirits in that kind of atmosphere.
Dharmalaya maintains an environment in which everyone is supported to learn and grow in this way, and this kind of learning truly changes lives for the better, because few lessons are more valuable than those that help us understand ourselves and others better and learn to relate with others more sensitively and skilfully.
So one thing to understand is that learning to be a healthy part of a healthy community is one of the most important aspects of all of our residential programmes — and of compassionate living more generally — so that kind of inner work and social evolution should be something that appeals to you strongly if you’re thinking of applying for this programme.
We’ll be spending a good bit of time talking about it and asking you to self-reflect, journal, and share with others about your experiences, which benefits everyone.
Schedules & dates
Start and end dates
The programme will begin at 10:00am on Day 1. All newly arriving participants will be required to arrive sometime between 9:30am and 9:45am on Day 1 itself (we will provide detailed timing, instructions, and travel tips after confirming your registration).
The programme will conclude on Saturday evening.and participants should plan to depart by 10.30am on Sunday morning, after breakfast. As we have another retreat beginning the following day, we kindly request your co-operation with this.
Daily schedule: What will the days be like?
Although the day-to-day schedule will vary a bit, the schedule for a typical day during this programme would more or less as follows:
6:00 Wake to the sound of birds and the soft light over the mountains.
6:30 Optional meditation, yoga, or silent morning walks.
8:00 Simple, nourishing vegan breakfast together.
9:00 Work with earth, water, and other elements in live projects on campus. Guided by experienced facilitators, earn traditional techniques by doing them yourself.
12:30 Wholesome vegan lunch & Karma yoga.
1:30 Hands-on sessions, group discussions, design exercises, and experiential activities linking the Five Elements to architectural thinking.
5:00 Tea and evening walks/rest.
6:00 Dinner together, followed by informal conversations, storytelling, or quiet time under the stars.
7:00 Evening community gathering: art nights, watching documentaries, music jams, storytelling or stargazing
9.30 The valley sleeps: the stars keep a watch.
Cost
Dharmalaya Institute is a not-for-profit charitable and educational organisation, and as such seeks to make its programmes accessible everyone. Recognizing that our participants come from diverse backgrounds, we are providing a sliding scale with three tiers, to make it possible for each participant to give according to their means.
Subsidized rate
(For low-income participants who can’t afford the standard rate)
Rs 13,400 total
For transparency: This subsidized rate is approximately 33% below our break-even rate, which means it is not enough to cover the Institute’s costs in providing the programme, though that shortfall might be covered by participants who choose to pay the ‘Supporter rate’ to the right.
Standard rate
(For most participants)
Rs 20,000 total
For transparency: This standard rate is essentially a break-even rate, just enough to cover the Institute’s total average monthly costs in providing this service-learning opportunity.
Supporter rate
(For those who can afford to help subsidize lower-income participants)
Rs 26,600 total
For transparency: This supporter rate is approximately 33% above the break-even rate, and 100% of that surplus will be used to support lower-income applicants to participate at the subsidized rate. We thank you sincerely for your generosity in choosing this rate if you can.
Important Information
Before you pack for your trip to Dharmalaya Institute, please read the very important information on our Visitor Info page and our FAQ.
NOTE FOR STUDENTS SEEKING CERTIFICATES: This is not a certificate course. No certificate or letter will be provided (no exceptions).
About the instructors and facilitators
The workshop will be instructed and facilitated by Parul Sharma with additional contributions from Dharmalaya Institute’s long-term community (including volunteers and staff).
Application process
The application process is designed to help identify applicants who are best matched with the programme.
STEP 1 — APPLY: Submit the application form below and wait for our reply. We may email you to ask follow-up questions if necessary.
STEP 2 — INTERVIEW: If your application is selected for the shortlist, the next step will be for us to schedule a time for an interview on a video call. During this interview, you’ll have the chance to ask whatever questions you might have, and we’ll have a chance to get to know you a bit better. If necessary, there might be a second video interview for final candidates.
STEP 3 — ACCEPTANCE & DEPOSIT: If you are selected for the programme after your video interview, then at that time we will send you more detailed information about the programme and how to prepare for your time at Dharmalaya Institute. You will then have one week from the date of acceptance to make your nonrefundable deposit to hold your place in the programme. The minimum deposit is 50%, but it is also possible to prepay in full.
If you have any questions after reading all the material here on our website, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to address your questions.
We look forward to connecting with you!