In the heart of Nardipur, India, local architecture studio Raasa has unveiled Forest of Peace, a 16,000-square-metre ashram that masterfully blends traditional symbolism with modern architectural clarity. Rooted in the site’s organic evolution—from a sacred offering ground to a community sanctuary—Raasa’s design formalises years of spiritual development into a thoughtful spatial narrative shaped by arched forms, natural textures, and serene courtyards.
Sacred Geometry: Arches as Thresholds and Symbols
At the core of Forest of Peace is an architectural motif drawn from the community’s own spiritual expressions. An arched trellis, once handmade by devotees to guide the path into the ashram, became Raasa’s key design inspiration. This recurring arch shape now defines walkways, façades, and meditative spaces throughout the concrete and brick complex.
“The project seeks to extend the community’s instinctive practice of creating archways as symbolic thresholds that define space and enhance a sense of belonging,” explains Girisha Gajjar, founder and principal architect of Raasa.
Each arch is reinterpreted through thoughtful variation—its scale, proportion, and orientation adjusted to suit different functions. From structural spans to filtered apertures, arches unify the ashram while allowing spiritual and architectural meanings to coexist.
A Fluid Journey of Light, Nature, and Ritual
The existing entrance archway was preserved and now leads visitors directly into the central prayer hall, a large open space illuminated by narrow, curved openings and a lantern-like roof. These arched perforations not only filter daylight but also serve as niches for birds, integrating nature into the architectural rhythm.
“RCC arches were deliberately projected to protect the glass and double as shaded alcoves for birds, enriching the building’s relationship with its surroundings,” says Gajjar.
Surrounding the prayer hall are lodging units and cloistered walkways. A tiered courtyard, enclosed by arched colonnades, introduces quietude and movement. To the south, a small tower punctuated with arches acts as a symbolic marker, echoing the form of bird towers found in the region’s villages.
On the eastern side, Raasa introduces a kitchen and dining space, designed with a simple gabled roof and arched structural supports. These arches are positioned perpendicularly to the façade, creating a sense of unfolding perspective as users enter deeper into the bhojanshala.
“The dining hall extends the architectural narrative,” says Gajjar, “inviting users to experience discovery through gradually revealed archways.”
Material Simplicity Meets Spiritual Intent
The ashram’s palette balances functionality with spiritual subtlety. Concrete and brick are coated in a textured, pale cream render, lending a softness to the robust materials. The central sacred fire, a focal element of the site, is housed in a chimney-like structure surrounded by inverted sweeping arches—a sculptural tribute to communal ritual.
The reddish-brown hue of this sacred structure stands in contrast to the lighter tones used elsewhere, reinforcing its symbolic significance. Raasa employed metal arched shuttering for durability and precision in construction, ensuring the arches were structurally sound while remaining cost-effective.
“The use of RCC and bricks provides long-term resilience, ideal for a community-oriented spiritual environment,” Gajjar notes.
Through Forest of Peace, Raasa has created more than an ashram—it has crafted a spiritual landscape that bridges ritual, community, and design. With every arched form acting as a symbolic and functional threshold, the complex stands as a testament to the power of architecture to reflect inner peace and collective devotion.