SpacesforRecreationAroundtheAtrium

At the edge of the Krishna Valley in Somogyvámos, set apart from the central areas, lies a health house dedicated to rest and recreation, realized with the contribution of the Equinox design team. The objective was to create a self-sustaining building with an intimate atmosphere, one that operates in harmony with its environment—through its spatial organization, materiality, and underlying philosophy. The building accommodates the religious community’s spaces for rest and recreational activities, while respecting the lifestyle and spiritual values of Krishna Valley.

From the very beginning, the vision was shaped by the principles of sustainability: we envisioned a building that requires as little energy as possible to operate (“what we do not consume, we do not need to produce”), that maximizes the use of local environmental conditions, and that integrates seamlessly into the existing built fabric.

The concept of the main building is defined by a massing organized around an atrium, reminiscent of the central temple of Krishna Valley. This internal semi-open courtyard not only brings light into the circulation and communal areas but, through its transparency and openness, also supports orientation and establishes the spatial heart of the house—its soul. Around the atrium, ring corridors connect functionally distinct zones: guest rooms with private bathrooms, treatment rooms, yoga spaces, and recreation blocks. The deliberate arrangement of zones, offset wings, and recessed façades provides both visual and acoustic separation, supporting focus and tranquility. The functions of the building—massage, yoga, physiotherapy, or simple rest—are clearly delineated yet organically interwoven. The architectural expression follows the traditional character of Krishna Valley: rendered façades, overhanging pitched roofs, small-scale natural clay tiles, and exposed timber structures define its appearance.

Sustainability is one of the project’s key aspects. The building operates with high energy efficiency, making maximum use of natural light, heat gains, and ventilation wherever possible. The ancillary building houses the gravity-based heating system with a wood-gasification boiler and firewood storage, which—true to the community’s values—can be supplied by manual or animal power. In addition, the complex incorporates a rainwater harvesting system that collects runoff in underground storage tanks, ensuring environmentally conscious water use.

This health centre is more than a building. It is a space for slowing down—a place where physical and spiritual renewal is not a separate program, but part of everyday life.