It is designed by Blank Studio, Yoga Deva (deva is a Sanskrit word, meaning deity) creates an internal sequence of spaces whose primary impulse is to remove the visitor from the exterior visual environmental conditions in every way. Sited within a commercial condominium complex, the building is surrounded by asphalt parking, minimal planted islands of non-native decorative vegetation, and other buildings that are nearly indistinguishable from one to the next. This new internal environment offers an architectural and sequential chiaroscuro to the external strip-mall type reality and prepares the visitor for a practice of inward meditation and contemplation.
Photography: Bill Timmerman
The project exists as a series of vessels. The ancillary spaces (entry, retail, changing) are ordered and organized around the central yoga studio space. Various styles of Classical Hatha Yoga are taught at this studio, including ?hot yoga? which is a practice that is performed in a space heated to 105 degrees F to improve flexibility and detoxification benefits. Photography: Bill Timmerman
Entry occurs in a space that is visually dark in contrast to the common Arizona exterior experience and no visibility to any other space is offered. Space is long, narrow and rendered in dark pigment, dark wood walls, and dark wood millwork; including a communal seating area along the length of the eastern wall illuminated by warm-toned cove lighting. Terminating the long volume is an electric blue pigmente...