The Otago Daily Times has written this article.
This image from our design team:
Rooflines follow the contour of the hillside while allowing for passive solar gains from the north.
From mental construct to architectural concept, this is a brief catch up.
On May 17 2010, while taking a break from the Ashram and visiting Zurich, Chris and I first discussed the concept of Aro Ha. Jazzed by our common views of the world and the potential of the project, we spun the globe looking for the right home. We considered a list of factors including natural beauty, energetic feel, adventure, access, social structures, stability, and international appeal.
After an initial visit to New Zealand Chris returned with lots of smiles, but without the perfect spot. I arrived in NZ soon after, and picked up where he left off. I worked my way down from Coromandel looking at over 150 properties across the country. The further I descended the better it got. Following Chris’ intuition, I arrived in Queenstown a few months later and found our jewel. 8.4 hectares (about 21 acres) of land that can be seen in the header above. Surrounded by farm land, not a neighbor in sight, yet less than an hour from an international airport.
If everyone is into camping we can start the retreats immediately! Enjoy the following slide show, and subscribe below to follow our progress.
Queenstown only has about 11 thousand locals, but boasts two equally strong seasons for international tourism. The international airport (ZQN) has direct connections to Auckland, Christchurch, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. As the “Adventure Capital of the World” it’s home to jetboats, bungie jumping, The Lord Of The Rings, and some of the worlds best Pino Noir. And soon it will be an international destination for deep down soul cleansing wellness retreats.
A transition is occurring. From our past, rooted in animalistic tendencies of consumption and unyielding growth, toward a greater awareness of the whole.
Aro-Ha is a transition space designed to support our tribal nature. We come here to learn together, to eat together, and to propel each other toward truth. We believe through creating conscious minds and healthy bodies we can create a balanced world. Our retreats will be led by international instructors who foster the connection between nature, wellness, and humanity’s need for a regenerative existence. Aro Ha will be a small campus used by discerning groups that value alternative health, and self-sufficiency.
This journal is a way for you to follow the creation of Aro Ha. We invite your interaction, and comments.
Aroha nui,
Damian and Chris
dchaparro
