Vishuddha Yoga Centre

Oxford, South East

Civic Trust Awards Citation

Vishuddha Yoga Centre is a new physical and spiritual health facility serving the local and wider community, located in a charming Victorian Conservation Area of terraced houses beside the Thames. 

Its external form is respectful of the historic neighbours in its scale and composition but at the same time strikingly contemporary in its treatment and finish. Its masterful composition of simple windows and an entrance doorway, clad entirely in recycled copper of two contrasting finishes, creates a visually pleasing contrast, and ensures the building weathers gracefully over time. Internally, the centre maximises its small plot with a comprehensive ground floor, featuring internal bicycle storage, a cozy lounge area, and a delightful external garden. The upper floor, with a well-lit and airy studio, provides an ideal space for yoga practice.

The building is designed to be entirely self-sufficient in energy terms, using only renewable energy generated on site. Although it is a tight urban plot, there is enough roof area on the extended rear wing for a PV array which feeds into two Tesla Powerwall batteries. The intention is that for most if not all of the year there will be no need to use electricity from the grid. The building is accessible to all, with a flush threshold straight off the pavement. The ground floor is one level throughout, with an accessible WC and shower right beside the entrance with generous dedicated changing facilities. A second studio space on the ground floor is specifically designed for smaller classes and for remote teaching methods. 

The project is run as a non-profit trust set up by James Pritchard and Jacqueline Mangold, who had a clear vision of a building which would be shining paradigm of what a yoga studio should and could be. It is a building not only ergonomically ideal for yoga teaching but also designed to embody yogic principles to the core with an absolute commitment to the yoga community and local residents. The community impact of Vishuddha Yoga Centre is evident in its role as a haven for practitioners, with increasing enrolment in courses reflecting its popularity. You leave a visit to the Vishuddha Yoga centre with a positive feeling of a calm place where you can enjoy a physical activity that is doing all it can to allow that to be a positive spiritual experience.

Judges’ Comments: “Vishuddha Yoga Centre is a small but significant architectural gem. Its thoughtful design and commitment to well-being make it a special and cherished addition to the community.”