Marina Nash

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The newest Restorascapes blog post is up! 

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Newest blog post on the pros and cons of technology. I would greatly appreciate your input. Enjoy the rest of your day! 

Community: together we CAN.

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Photo: Dupuis Pierre

Although Restorascapes are custom tailored to meet the needs of my individual clients, my original vision was to incorporate a walking labyrinth at the base of the parabolic, semi-covered, solar dome.

For those of you who know me and/or are familiar with Restorascapes, implementing the labyrinth was not random, or by accident. Labyrinths (Greek,labyrinthos) have distinct meaning to my heritage, and the significance of them was so appropriate for Restorascapes’ mission.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A little History lesson for you: In Greek mythology, King Minos of Crete needed a way to trap the Minotaur, a part-man, part-bull creature. The king’s talented artisan, Daedalus, designed and constructed a labyrinth so intricate and multi-faceted, that he had difficulty evading it. So, in ancient Greece, the labyrinth developed for functional purposes; however, its meaning today is essentially the same. It represents totality and integrity, and symbolizes the journey of life.

I have always been fascinated by labyrinths, partially because entering them is a right-brain task, and well, being an artist, that’s an obvious connection! But, I’m also an architect, so the labyrinth’s right-brain quality takes over when I need to unwind and find inner solace. And all one must do in a labyrinth is find the center through a circuitous path. It is about retreating and connecting with our own center from time to time, then opening ourselves to the rest of the world again.

Photo: Maksim

There are various labyrinth designs; however, the one I was envisioning for the base of Restorascapes was the one modeled after the Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France, built circa 1200. This particular labyrinth is an eleven-circuit design with four quadrants. The Chartres is one of the few remaining of these models. The rosette design in the center symbolizes insight and wisdom, while the division of the quadrants form a very prominent cross, representing Christianity.

Restorascapes embody a place where one can retreat to restore a sense of inner balance and engage in active reflection. So, it seemed only natural to complete the design by integrating a culturally significant symbol that provides the path to wholeness. TheBoulder Community Foothills Hospital recognized this, so they built a classical labyrinth in honor of Lane Earnest, the hospital’s general counsel for 20+ years. What a fitting dedication to a figure who represents integrity and leadership in his community. Perhaps Restorascapes will complement that labyrinth in the near future!

Photo: Michael Mowry

When I developed the Restorascapes design, I had a vision of a dome built outside so that people can be in a natural environment while un-winding and engaging in mindful practices.   I wanted it to have three points to symbolize the mind, body, and spirit.   And, I wanted it to be covered with an eco-friendly material, so simultaneously, I decided that it would provide energy as well.

After researching solar companies that could accommadate my needs, I narrowed my choices to two companies.

FTL Solar

FTL constructs synthesized solar structures and fabrics. They offer pliable and lightweight structures that are mobile, so they are appealing and functional for not only commercial purposes, but also for the military and disaster relief organizations.

FTL provides fabrics that have built-in Ascent Solar thin-film cells to charge small items (e.g. mobile phones, laptops, etc.), and larger applications such as rooftops and parking lots. Currently, FTL is the only establishment producing pre-assembled photovoltaic energy-generating designs on a massive scale.  The energy produced can be used instantly, saved for later use, or sold back to the grid, reducing our reliance on petrified dinosaur remains.

Konarka Technologies

Konarka Technologies, another clean energy company, has the PowerPlastic® technology, which achieved an 8.3% efficiency rating from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

The scientists found a way to process photovoltaic materials at fairly low temperatures. This allowed for not only the use of polymers on the periphery of the PV cell, but also allowed the cell to be fabricated at a high speed using coating and printing technologies.

Konarka produces the organic panels that other businesses integrate into their products, whether they be backpacks, tents, awnings, bus shelters, or other building-applied photovoltaics.

So the question is, which company do I collaborate with to produce the Restorascapes canopy? Both have impeccable credentials; perhaps a little more digging is in order before I decide.

Liz Coleman-what a pioneer for higher education!

Carolyn Rapp and Tom Stoner’s book, “Open Spaces Sacred Placed” really resonated with me.  It’s a collection of stories that describe how people got together and constructed and/or renovated sacred spaces for healing and meditation.  From inner city kids creating a sculpture garden, to inmates at a prison designing and visiting a meditative space for healing, the message is clear: providing a place for individuals to feel safe, and enter a contemplative state is a necessity.  I can’t think of a better way to heal and honor ourselves than by doing so in nature.  

http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/open_spaces_sacred_places/#

Photo Credit: Alex Castro

Restorascapes is my newest design venture. I started working with renewable energies to power sound so that it is multi-sensorial. Like its name implies, Restorascapes is on a mission to help us restore balance in our lives.  Many of us are over-stimulated, and this is becoming a problem because it is seriously challenging our health and relationships.

Photo Credit: Wagner Christian

Basically, the dome is a solar-fabric-clad structure that uses its power-generation abilities to ring suspended Tibetan Singing Bowls and activate evening lights in and around the installation, creating a peaceful auditory healing environment, a Meditative Sound Field, if you will.  At the base of this parabolic dome are seating elements that contain batteries and outlets that power electronic devices for individuals who wish to work outdoors.

In short, Restorascapes values and responds to not only clean energy and environmental preservation, but also, as mentioned, to our health and well-being. One can really decompress and practice mindfulness here. There is research that recognizes the potential for restorative spaces in schools, housing projects, public parks, open spaces, and hospitals to positively affect health, well being, pain reduction, and recovery. Each Restorascapes design is unique and tailored to my client’s needs based on their consumers, whether they be the elderly, veterans, troops, hospital/hospice patients and care-givers, university students, corporate executives, etc.

Photo Credit: Elena Rego

This project is completely sustainable and may be used for virtually any practice that promotes healing (e.g. yoga, meditation, meetings, study sessions, counseling, seminars, etc.).  I am excited to share these potential benefits with others who practice mindfulness and have a deep need to decompress and feed off the sun’s soul from time to time.

Check out the Restorascapes Concept Animation, courtesy of Michael Mowry, and the Restorascapes blog for more information .

If visual art is a language and abstraction makes it universally understandable , then why not create works of Compassion . marinanash1@mac.com www.marinanash.com 303 506 7062 “The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. ” “The energy of the mind is the essence of life.” Aristotle

marinanash1@mac.com www.marinanash.com 303 506 7062 “The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. ” “The energy of the mind is the essence of life.” Aristotle