Esalen Institute — Big Sur, USA
Part school, church, spa, inn and monastery, Big Sur's famed Esalen Institute was set up in the 1960s, built by hand by the people who lived, worked and studied there. Since its inception over 50 years ago, those in search of spiritual healing have been making the pilgrimage to this Pacific coastline spot where they can benefit from Esalen’s rich programme of lectures, workshops and healing arts.
Set against a backdrop of ocean panorama and rugged cliffs, Esalen’s courses teach everything from painting to gestalt therapy (introduced to Esalen in 1964 by Fritz Perls), while its twenty-seven acres house a bookshop, farm, art centre, kitchen, cafe, outdoor massage deck and of course the legendary cliff-side ‘clothing optional’ hot springs.
Now, the first part of a much-needed three-year renovation project has been unveiled, that includes refreshed accommodation options designed by Carissa Duncan of Carmel-based interiors firm Salt+Bones. ‘There is a real handmade, artisan quality to the structure, and it was very important to maintain that quality and feel in our new design for the space,’ says Duncan. ‘We focused on an earth toned color palette and an array of textures to engage the senses.’
As well as updating ten standard rooms in the Maslow & Watts buildings with modern comforts, Duncan was also tasked with breathing new life back into the spectacular semi-circular Fritz House. Built into the cliff edge overlooking the baths, the Fritz House was constructed in the 1960s from locally harvested old growth redwood and beautiful hand hewn stone, all of which needed to be sanded and refinished. In the bedrooms, redwood salvaged from the property has been used to build out headboards with integrated LED lights to provide a warm candlelight-like glow on the walls in the evenings.
‘Souls seek out Esalen to learn and to grow; the idea being not that they leave "complete" or "fixed", but more importantly that they have transformed in their ability to appreciate and embrace their imperfection, see the beauty in it, and continue to learn and grow,’ explains Duncan. ‘The spaces that we refurbished and restored are a physical reflection of this philosophy.’
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur
CA 93920
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
For spring, designers reimagine the classic trench coat
Uniquely chic interpretations of the classic trench coat from the S/S 2024 collections, primed for both bright spring days and inevitable April showers
By Jack Moss Published
-
Sir Kenneth Grange’s influential industrial designs are chronicled in a new book
‘Kenneth Grange: Designing the Modern World’ explores the life and work of the pioneering British industrial designer
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Chin, chin! Asprey’s new Peninsula London boutique raises the bar
Asprey barware designs from the house’s joyful, jazz-era back catalogue are available at its new boutique in The Peninsula, London
By Caragh McKay Published
-
Fried chicken fever? Coqodaq knows how to do it
Devoted disciples of Korean fried chicken can worship at Manhattan’s Coqodaq, designed by the Rockwell Group
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Enjoy lakeside dining at the Village Supper Club in Wisconsin
DMAC Architecture and Interiors has transformed the 55-year-old Village Supper Club beside Delavan Lake
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
HOK-designed Thompson Houston takes over the city’s historic Fourth Ward
Thompson Houston by Hyatt is a 36-storey landmark in scenic Buffalo Bayou Park
By Daniel Scheffler Published
-
The Hollywood Roosevelt’s penthouse suites get a sumptuous refresh
The Hollywood Roosevelt tapped designer Kevin Klein to imbue the suites with both contemporary finishes and historical details
By Adrian Madlener Published
-
Bondst Hudson Yards promises intimate Japanese dining in NYC
Bondst inaugurates its second location, facing the Hudson River, following the success of its flagship location in NoHo
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
The Jay Hotel pays homage to John Portman’s San Francisco
The Jay Hotel’s interiors, designed by AvroKO, pay tribute to the building’s architect, John Portman, as well as lesser-known figures from the city’s past
By Dan Howarth Published
-
Sip, savour and stay in Santa Monica during Frieze LA and beyond
Your stay in Santa Monica begins with a cinematic hotel, a Kelly Wearstler-designed spa, a casual shrine to seafood, and a cool tapas bar
By Timothy Anscombe-Bell Published
-
Jac’s on Bond channels 1990s New York cool
Jac’s on Bond is a new NoHo bar boasting Gachot Studios interiors, Awake NY uniforms and Janette Beckman photographs
By Sofia de la Cruz Published