Immeasurable Horizons

Gobi Desert, China

University of Florida, 2009

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Located within the Gobi Desert in China, the sanctuary of self reflection is a complex for nomadic people to observe, meditate, and prepare for the journey. For people, the sanctuary is the only shelter in the desert, since the desert is an un-measurable, ever changing, and unexplorable object. With little or no water, shade, and references, the desert presents itself as one with many dangers. For a visitor of the desert there is only the need for shade and water. This is what the sanctuary of self reflection provides.

 

With the desert being an un-measurable, ever changing, unexploreable object, the sanctuary provides a static datum of access. Providing a axis of direction in a non-directional landscape. Within the sanctuary, visitors are cleansed through the use of fluid meditation, observe the path they were on and the one ahead. Thus creating measure in the un-measurable, and explorable in the  unexplorable.

 

The sanctuary has three stages of realization: observation, meditation, and preparation. Observation is the reflection of the past journey that the visitor has taken. Meditation is where a cleansing of the mind is preformed, as a threshold between past and future. Finally, preparation is the contemplation of the journey ahead, and being ready for its challenges. The sanctuary allows for the realization and fulfillment of these three stages through the administration of the visitors' need for shade and water.

 

The sanctuary is grafted onto exposed bedrock creating an anchor in the changing sands while providing admission to the valuble resources of water and shade. To the south, large sand dunes inhabit the landscape, while to the southeast, there is ever extending flatness.