Developing Design Recommendations for Meditation Centres Through a Mixed-Method Study
Buildings November 19, 2025 Pearl Doshi, Francesco Aletta
Effective meditation centre design should prioritize indoor environmental qualities (IEQs) in a specific hierarchy: acoustic environment first, followed by indoor air quality and thermal environment, then biophilic elements, and finally lighting environment. Materials and colour also influence the experience. A mixed-method exploratory sequential design—combining a scoping case study review, expert interviews, and user surveys—identified recurring design practices. The research concludes that integrating spatial, contextual, and community-driven practices while minimizing sensory distractions promotes introspection. Findings were consolidated into design recommendations addressing contextual, spatial, sensory, experiential, inclusive, and sustainable strategies.