by Yew Li Zhen [lzyew425@gmail.com]
The design concept for this project is founded on the Zen philosophy. Zen is a mixture of Indian Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism, it derives from Chinese pronunciation ‘Ch’an’ and originates from “dhyana” in Sanskrit, which means meditation. Meditation helps to achieve blossoming of true self and to recognize that human being are integral part of natural ecosystem of the Earth. Zen deeply respects nature and considers it sacred. It does not try to manage or control nature, but instead, Zen is manifested in a profound spiritual bond with nature. Zen Buddhism’s emphasis on simplicity and the importance of the nature has generated a distinctive aesthetic, which is expressed by the terms Wabi-Sabi. It sees beauty in things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Wabi-Sabi is genuine, humble, and is deeply associated with love for nature.