The goal of this project was to design a space to contemplate spirituality and death. Situated on the edge of a poplar grove overlooking the Columbia river valley, a long descending stair is cut in the land to allow a gradual decent below ground to the base of the meditation structure. As you step below ground the height of the trees and the helical structure are magnified and the cool stone steps and walls as well as the darkness reminds of our eventual return to the earth through our death. Upon entering the base of the structure a curving stair guides you up and into the light of the main meditation space. There is a brief glimpse of the surrounding trees and valley through a gap in the suspended canvas at it's base, then as you ascend fully into the room your gaze is drawn up and to the sky, to beyond. At night this space allows quiet contemplation of the heavens as stars move slowly overhead through the portal at the top of the room. For longer stays, a lodging and meditation chamber are located in the base of the structure accessed through a second curving staircase. I hoped the spiritual experience would be accentuated by the materials used, stone, concrete, poplar logs, and dyed canvas. When leaving the room, the guest would descend from the meditation room and reemerge below ground in the long stairway, slowly stepping back up into the poplar forest beyond.
