A meditative open-air sanctuary blending architecture, sound, and the sacred vision of Balkrishna Doshi.
A Legacy of Reflection and Renewal
The newly unveiled Doshi Retreat marks the final work of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Balkrishna Doshi, created in collaboration with his granddaughter Khushnu Panthaki Hoof and grandson-in-law Sönke Hoof. Set within Germany’s Vitra Campus, the retreat embodies Doshi’s lifelong exploration of spirituality and human connection through design, offering visitors an immersive space of contemplation and calm.
Architecture as an Emotional Landscape
Inspired by a dream of two interweaving cobras, Doshi envisioned the retreat as a journey of discovery. The design unfolds through an undulating pathway framed by low-carbon XCarb® steel walls made entirely from recycled material. Ambient sound flows through the structure, resonating with visitors as they move toward the central “contemplation chamber.” Here, a rainwater basin, stone benches, and a gleaming brass mandala form the heart of the experience — a place where nature, sound, and light merge into stillness.
The Spirit of Doshi Lives On
The Doshi Retreat deepens the Vitra Campus’s role as a global destination for design and reflection. Seamlessly woven into the landscape, it transforms architecture into a sensory and spiritual encounter, embodying Doshi’s enduring philosophy that buildings are living organisms — vessels for emotion, community, and the human spirit.
