Second Place Winner
Interval
Design by
Niyazjan Myradova
Juror’s Comment:
An exceptionally refined and poetic proposal that translates the concept of “Ma” (pause and in-between space) into a powerful spatial experience, where architecture, materiality, and sequencing create a deeply meditative journey.
Work on:
Limited program diversity and social dynamism.
Niyazjan Myradova
Niyazjan Myradova is an architecture student at Gazi University in Türkiye, originally from Turkmenistan. Her work is driven by a strong interest in the relationship between architecture, nature, and human well-being. She is particularly interested in how spatial environments can influence emotions, encourage reflection, and foster a sense of calm and belonging.
Through her projects, Niyazjan explores the intersection of cultural narratives, materiality, and sensory experience, seeking to create environments that are both environmentally responsive and emotionally meaningful. She believes that architecture has the potential to foster healing, strengthen connections, and cultivate a deeper awareness of place.
Celebrating Creativity & Vision
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Concept & Design Vision
The central idea behind the project was inspired by the Japanese concept of Ma, which refers to the meaningful interval or pause between spaces, moments, and experiences. In Japanese culture, these moments of emptiness are not understood as absence, but as active conditions that allow reflection, awareness, and transformation to occur. I was fascinated by how this concept could be translated into architecture, not simply as a formal gesture but as a spatial strategy capable of shaping human experience.
The project emerged from a reflection on the intense pace of contemporary Japanese working culture, where long working hours and constant productivity often leave little room for rest and self-reflection. Rather than designing a retreat as a destination focused solely on leisure, I wanted to create an environment that guides visitors through a gradual process of mental and physical restoration. The retreat therefore became a sequence of carefully choreographed experiences, where movement, silence, nature, and architecture work together to encourage users to slow down and reconnect with themselves.
Located within the forested landscape of Hakone, the project uses the surrounding environment as an integral part of the healing process. Every spatial decision was informed by the idea of transition—from activity to stillness, from social interaction to solitude and from mental stimulation to bodily awareness. Ultimately, the proposal redefines architecture not simply as shelter, but as a medium that supports well-being through time, space and sensory experience. In this sense, Ma becomes more than a concept, it becomes the fundamental framework through which the entire architectural narrative is organized.
Architecture & Nature
Nature was not treated as a backdrop to the architecture but as an essential component of the design experience. The project is located on the edge of Lake Ashi within Hakone's dense forest landscape, a setting characterized by volcanic topography, abundant vegetation and natural thermal resources. Rather than imposing a form onto the site, the design emerged from the site's contour lines, allowing the architecture to grow naturally from the terrain.
The relationship between architecture and nature is reinforced through carefully framed views, open circulation routes, and a material palette dominated by timber. Seasonal changes, shifting light conditions, the presence of water and the sounds of the forest all become part of the retreat experience. The accommodation units are dispersed throughout the landscape to create intimate encounters with nature while maintaining privacy.
The project also incorporates biophilic principles by maximizing visual connections to natural elements and encouraging movement through outdoor spaces. Gardens, courtyards and transitional platforms blur the boundary between interior and exterior environments. As visitors move through the retreat, they continuously engage with the surrounding landscape, making nature an active participant in the healing process rather than a passive visual element.
Well-Being & User Experience
The retreat is organized as a carefully choreographed journey designed to support mental, physical and emotional well-being. Rather than concentrating all functions within a single building, the program is distributed across multiple structures to create a sequence of experiences that gradually guide visitors toward a state of restoration.
The first building focuses on mental well-being and awareness. It accommodates yoga spaces, a library, workshops and communal dining areas that encourage reflection, learning and social interaction. Positioned toward the lake, this structure establishes a strong visual connection with nature and serves as the starting point of the retreat experience.
Between the two main buildings, a timber platform inspired by the concept of Ma acts as a meaningful threshold. More than a circulation element, it slows movement and encourages visitors to become aware of their surroundings, creating a moment of pause before entering the next stage of the journey.
The second building is dedicated to physical healing and houses thermal baths, massage rooms and fitness spaces. By minimizing visual distractions and focusing on sensory experiences, the architecture encourages users to reconnect with their bodies. Finally, the individual accommodation units dispersed throughout the forest provide privacy, silence and solitude, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in reflection and personal renewal.
Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship
Sustainability was approached through environmental responsiveness, material selection and respect for the existing landscape. The buildings follow the site's natural topography, minimizing excavation and preserving the surrounding ecosystem. Timber was chosen as the primary material due to its renewable qualities, low environmental impact and ability to create warm and comfortable spaces.
Hakone's climate also informed several design decisions. Because the region experiences significant rainfall, the buildings incorporate pitched roofs and rainwater collection systems that efficiently manage water on site. Passive ventilation, natural daylighting and compact building forms further reduce energy demand while maintaining user comfort. By working with local environmental conditions rather than against them, the project seeks to establish a more sustainable relationship between architecture and nature.
Community & Shared Experiences
Although the retreat prioritizes personal reflection and solitude, it also recognizes the importance of meaningful social interaction. Shared spaces such as yoga studios, workshops, the library and communal dining areas create opportunities for learning, conversation and collective experiences. These spaces encourage visitors to connect with others while participating in activities that support well-being and self-development.
The project balances moments of togetherness with moments of withdrawal, allowing users to choose their level of engagement. In this way, the retreat supports both individual healing and a sense of community, acknowledging that personal growth can often be enriched through shared experiences.
Design Challenges & Innovation
One of the greatest challenges was translating the abstract concept of Ma into a tangible architectural experience. Rather than representing it through symbolism or decorative elements, I sought to express it through spatial sequences, transitions and moments of pause. This required careful consideration of movement, proportion and the relationship between built and unbuilt space.
Another challenge involved balancing openness and connection with privacy and retreat. This was addressed by separating the program into three distinct building groups and dispersing the accommodation units throughout the forest. The timber platform connecting the main structures became one of the project's key innovations, transforming circulation into an active experience that embodies the concept of Ma and reinforces the retreat's overall narrative.
Creating a Sense of Sanctuary
For me, a sanctuary is not defined by isolation alone but by the ability of a space to encourage stillness, awareness and emotional comfort. The project creates this sense of sanctuary through simplicity, silence and carefully controlled transitions between different environments.
The architectural language avoids monumental gestures and instead seeks harmony with the surrounding landscape. Materials were selected for their tactile and sensory qualities, while views were carefully framed to emphasize nature without overwhelming the user. Spaces are organized to gradually reduce external stimuli, allowing visitors to slow down and shift their attention inward.
The concept of Ma plays a crucial role in shaping this atmosphere. Transitional spaces, pauses in circulation and moments of visual openness create opportunities for reflection and mindfulness. The dispersed accommodation units further reinforce the feeling of retreat by providing privacy and direct access to nature.
Rather than creating a dramatic escape from reality, the project offers a subtle and immersive experience that helps visitors rediscover a sense of balance. Through the combination of landscape, materiality, light and silence, the retreat becomes a sanctuary where architecture supports both personal reflection and emotional restoration.
The Future of Wellness Architecture
As contemporary lifestyles become increasingly fast-paced and digitally connected, I believe architecture will play an important role in supporting mental and physical well-being. Future wellness environments should move beyond purely functional requirements and focus on creating meaningful emotional and sensory experiences.
Architecture has the potential to act as a catalyst for healing by strengthening relationships between people, nature and time. Rather than designing iconic objects, I believe future wellness architecture should prioritize environments that encourage mindfulness, human connection and a deeper awareness of place. By creating spaces that support restoration and balance, architecture can contribute positively to both individual well-being and broader social health.
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