In a time when wellbeing is more than a buzzword,  when mental health, mindfulness and inner peace shape how we live and work,  the Doshi Retreat at Vitra’s campus offers something deeply relevant: a space for wellbeing architecture designed for contemplation, stillness, and sensory presence.

Conceived by the late Balkrishna Doshi together with his granddaughter Khushnu Panthaki Hoof and her husband Sönke Hoof (Studio Sangath), the Doshi Retreat is the first  design by Doshi realized outside India.

Structured as a gently winding pathway that descends below ground level, the Retreat guides visitors through curved walls of warm, low-carbon steel and finishes in a circular contemplation chamber topped by a forged-brass mandala.

Along the path, subtle ambient sounds — soft tones of gong and ceramic flute — resonate through hidden audio channels, creating a meditative soundscape that envelops the visitor.

Why does it matter for wellbeing?

Sensory mindfulness: By engaging multiple senses — sound, sight, texture, spatial rhythm — the Retreat slows down the usual pace. Every step becomes a moment of awareness rather than a rush.
Psychological retreat from the bustle: In a campus full of architectural icons and creative energy, this space acts as a pause — a place to withdraw, reflect, and reconnect with oneself. That kind of psychological “breather” is rare, and increasingly precious, in our busy, hyperconnected lives.
Architecture as ritual & healing: The design draws on spiritual symbolism referencing spiral forms, energy pathways (inspired by philosophies such as Kundalini), and sacred geometry.

This projects transforms architecture potential tool for inner calm, self-awareness and emotional balance.