Shayla Bryant

The Soul Studio

Creative Wellness Retreat

"Welcome to The Soul Studio, a creative wellness retreat that is focused on bringing awareness to the importance of fostering one's wellness, and the power of creativity in achieving just that. Since I was young, I was always fixated on creating art. It helped me relieve my stress, and to forget my problems for a moment. I would become completely immersed in my project and feel completely renewed and refreshed afterwards. It wasn't until years later during the initial ideation phase of this thesis project that I discovered the reason that I felt this way while making art. A state of flow is described as the fluidity between body and mind that allows an individual to become so absorbed by their work that the feelings and thoughts that would plague them under normal circumstances fade away leaving them totally and utterly relaxed. This state is most often achieved during creative endeavors, and it is one of the many reasons that creating art is advocated for in today's society due to its ability to improve one's wellbeing.

This is the reason that I created The Soul Studio, a wellness retreat complete with a warm and calming art studio, guest suites for relaxing solitude, and a communal restaurant for connecting with yourself and others. Inspired by "The Soul Studio" in Cochrane AB. - the place that I once went to in order to achieve this state of flow - this place acts as a sanctuary where one can go to in order to forget the world's struggles and instead focus their intentions inwards on improving their wellbeing through creativity. Enhanced by the feeling of being surrounded by natural features, soft organic elements, and a warm and neutral palette, this space is for all to enjoy in order to reconnect with themselves, and to truly relax and unwind."

- Shayla Bryant

To Flow

To Create

To Disconnect

To Reconnect

CONCEPT

Inspired by the natural flow witnessed in nature, and the state of flow achieved when creatively engaged, this space acts as an oasis where people can disconnect from society and reconnect with themselves to promote wellness through a creative, calming, and rejuvenating atmosphere.

THE MAIN FLOOR

The guest is immersed in tranquility from the moment they enter the lobby space with the organic curves, neutral palette, and garden feature.
The floor plan promotes natural wayfinding while still having implied boundaries for each activity area.
The art studio features a separate location for the resident artist, and individualized workstations that are semi enclosed for a feeling of solitude. Moreover, each station has its own unique perspective into the garden for inspiration and to provide the guest with the relaxing feeling of being amongst nature.
The restaurant is flexible to suit each meal of the day. This area is a bit more energetic than the rest to promote wellness through a connection and conversation with others, yet the warm and calming atmosphere is still felt and observed throughout.
The secondary areas such as the storage and restrooms are grouped to consider plumbing and to maintain open vistas where possible.

Lobby

Restaurant

Art Studio

THE SECOND FLOOR

The hallway seamlessly connects the guests to their rooms and to the common area which features a library complete with books, sketch books and supplies, a garden, organic built in seating, and relaxing lounge chairs to promote wellness among guests.
The layout of the suites promotes maximum efficiency. It allows for the most rooms possible while still promoting a grand experience for the guests by having a large and spacious suite.
The layout allows for maximum access to daylight for all guests and has the secondary areas grouped to achieve the most effective layout.
The suites are spacious and warm, and have extra features including a fireplace, a coffee and tea bar, and a freestanding bathtub, to provide an elevated experience when compared to an average hotel.
The intent of the suites is to provide guests with a relaxing experience that exudes the feeling of privacy and solitude so that they may feel truly relaxed and rejuvenated.