Quiet Spaces are dedicated places for relaxation and contemplation within the public sector and at home.
These include business, educational, retail, religious, care home, medical, therapeutic, retreat, home sanctuary and garden studio environments. Public Quiet Space can include facilities in airports, sports venues, shopping centres, parklands, libraries, council and governmental offices, community halls and hospitals.
Hafren offers a Quiet Space design service. Principal, Lucy Crawford-Sandison has a broad knowledge of sacred space and sanctuary environments, and can help individuals and organisations with the design of quiet space, including for specific spiritualities, specaific wellness therapeutic needs, or for multi-faith space. For example:-
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Meditation spaces, sanctuary spaces, multi-faith spaces, and prayer rooms.
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Facilities for chaplaincies and therapeutic consultancies.
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Home sanctuaries, bath houses, garden studios, meditation and yoga spaces.
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Retreat Centers.
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Quiet Space in schools, Universities, and hospitals.
The Benefits of Quiet Space
At Home
A home can be a sanctuary, and offer atmospheres that are nurturing and calm, yet uplifting and connective with the small needs of life , that are so important to a healthy household. A home can connect to the natural (or created landscape) in reflective ways, and support relationships between people. A home may include dedicated quiet space, a garden sanctuary to provide a place for quiet meditative retreat, study or spiritual practice.
The Workplace
Tranquil workplace spaces provide stress-free sanctuaries where employees can take a break from fast-paced, high-tech environments.
“A retreat space is a room identified for prayer, meditation, or contemplative activity. This space can also be used by staff for small meetings, interviews, quiet reading or activities of a similar nature when it is not required for religious observance. Consideration to a special ablution space should also be given” NSW Government Office Guidelines.
Quiet Space promotes productivity and staff retention. It is also an investment in business identity and can reflect the broader social and environmental awareness of the business. The space can address cultural diversity, anti-discrimination laws and religious observance practices. The unique identity of an organisation can also be reflected in the design.
Children’s Nurture – Quiet Space in Schools
Quiet Spaces in schools can be used for quiet class activities, retreats for students needing quiet time, counselling, chaplaincy, and group celebrations of a contemplative nature.
Quiet space can also be a retreat space for teachers, or meetings requiring a special atmosphere.
Children are gifted through quiet space with an atmosphere of nurture, beauty and calm. The space can also connect them with nature, and the qualities of respect and care for themselves, of others and the environment.
Student Welfare and Diversity – Quiet Space in Universities and Training Colleges
Students and staff can use Quiet Space for religious observation, chaplaincy services, contemplative retreat space, multi-faith space and for classes requiring a contemplative atmosphere, such as meditation, yoga and reading groups.
Quiet Spaces can reflect an atmosphere of diversity and be used as meeting spaces for a variety of groups requiring a contemplative atmosphere for their activities.
Quiet Spaces can also be part of a larger multi-faith space center which includes ablution facilities, multiple meeting spaces, one or more larger Quiet Spaces for group gatherings and facilities for preparing food. Use of the center can be co-ordinated through on-line services and chaplaincy to facilitate multi-usage and address the needs of specific religious observations and seasonal practices.