Spring gently settles over the Vitra Design Campus and with it comes cherry blossom season – a moment of quiet beauty and a special atmosphere. Delicate pink and white blossoms float like little clouds above the paths and buildings, lending the place an almost meditative tranquility. It is precisely during this time of year that the guided tour of the campus unfolds its unique charm. The focus is on Japanese architecture, which can be experienced impressively throughout the grounds. Clean lines, minimalist forms, and the conscious integration of nature reflect an aesthetic focused on harmony and balance. During the tour, not only are design principles explained, but also the underlying cultural values – such as the appreciation of emptiness, light, and transience, which is particularly evident in the cherry blossoms.
The tour concludes with a traditional tea ceremony. In a tranquil, focused atmosphere, the tea is prepared and served with great care. Every movement follows a precise sequence, inviting you to consciously experience the moment. The ceremony is more than just a ritual—it is an expression of respect, mindfulness and hospitality.
Also the Doshi Retreat on the Vitra Design Campus is a tranquil retreat that transforms architecture into a sensory experience. Designed by the Indian architect Doshi, the building combines spirituality, sound and space into a meditative journey. The path through the retreat leads along winding, partly underground paths, accompanied by the soft sounds of gong and flute. This creates an atmosphere of deceleration, in which visitors gradually immerse themselves in a state of tranquility. At its heart is a contemplative space that combines light, materials, and sound to create a place for inner reflection.
As Doshi’s last work and also his first building outside India, the Doshi Retreat is not only architecturally significant, but also a poetic place of reflection – a space that invites one to pause and rediscover the connection between human, nature and perception.
