Located a full day's walk away from the nearest town, this modern zen retreat is nestled deep in the pine forest on a small lake island. The structure takes a modernized twist on a Japanese temple, featuring a bridge of shinto gates that leads to the entrance. The shinto gate symbolizes the boundary between human and divine realms, inviting guests to leave behind the stress of human life and connect with divine nature. The building features a meditation room, bedroom, library, fire pit, two balconies and outdoor walkways with views of the lake and surrounding forest. Inspired by Japanese Zen Buddhism, this space is designed to provide a quiet and secluded spiritual experience for people of any religion or spirituality.