Page 6 - Landscape SA 99

PROJECT

The fire blade brings a sculptural element to this boma in one of
the garden rooms

at certain times of the day, month or specifically chosen to create a sound
year, one is able to invoke a deeper experience to enhance the visit and also
understanding and connection with stimulate the visitors’ chakras /energy
the important days in one’s life. Belief centres.
and personal faith combine with the
physical design to create a meaningful Design aspects and philosophy
journey for the visitor.
• written messages: much more physical Robinson says he has a natural feeling of
than many of the other “unseen items”, balance when designing, so he basically
Giant bamboo wind chimes bring a deep
resonating sound to the area as gusts of several spaces in the landscape offer just followed a typical process that he
wind catch them written messages – for instance, there would in all designs, using almost every
is a birdcage called “Freedom”, with square meter of the property to its best
messages such as “The barriers in your advantage.
from their past. Their excitement at this mind are as solid as those in reality.”
immediately raises their vibes! These messages are all very thought The overall design philosophy was to
• the seven elements of air, water, fire, provoking and are placed in different create a landscape “adventure” made up
earth, wood, metal and ether/spirit have areas to get people to think in certain of different rooms that would invoke an
been used in the design of a temple that ways. emotional reaction in visitors to enhance
will be built on the property. By making • sound: wind chimes, water flow, gravel their experience by making use of physical
use of vortexes and the flow of energy, crunching below one’s feet, bird as well as metaphysical elements.
visitors to the temple will experience calls and buzzing insects all create a
a unique space that will allow them to cacophony of sound that enriches the The philosophy is also to “go with the flow”,
have a deeper understanding of certain visitors’ experience. A sound garden has simply allowing things to take place.
metaphysical characteristics. been designed that will contain items
• symbols: two infinity symbols occur
in different directions in the design,
creating a strong point in the centre of
the property, and wrapping around in
a north-south and east-west direction,
with strong lines carried in the design.
• acknowledgement of “something
greater”: Soul Oasis has been designed
as an urban retreat / wellness centre
for the body, mind and soul, also
acknowledging that people need to be
connected to the universal source / chi /
God /, however one wishes to describe
it. By making use of a large vortex
sculpture which immediately makes the
visitor look up, the importance of being
balanced not only in the body, mind and
soul, but also in the connection to the
universe, is shown.
• colour: colour therapy will be used in
two important architectural elements
of the design to invoke healing on
different levels.
• ceremonies and rituals: undertaking Many people have walked through the labyrinth – an effective tool
for meditation and mindfulness
a ceremony of personal significance,

4 Landscape SA • Issue 99 2021