In spring 2024, looking for inspiration, we visited retreat center Yugen Forest, in the Netherlands, province of Flevoland.
Things we noticed:
It’s possible to create a beautiful, very spaciously setup retreat center in harmony with nature in the Netherlands, where development space is rare.
The place has been financed from philanthropy. A wealthy individual has bought the 52 hectares, which now serves as a nature estate (Roggebotstaete) and retreat center.
The principle of steward ownership has been applied (with help of https://wearestewards.nl/en/), which ensures that the place can not be sold or changed in its function.
Nature and the land have been used as a design element in creating the center. This can immediately be felt upon entry.
The various buildings cover a large plot of land, connected by little paths. Moving between places of stay and workshop spaces requires walking through nature.
The ensuing forest is open for use by the retreat center, for instance for medicine walks.
The main retreat building has been built from circular materials, by Mas Con Menos . It’s a beautiful combination of local timber and used windowframes, which creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Living spaces currently consist of glamping (2 person tents) and a few tiny houses. There’s no larger communal living, although there are plans to develop a sort of hotel in the future.
Currently, there is no community element. The place is run as a professional business.
There used to be a seasonal volunteer organization for working at the retreat. This was difficult to manage due to divergent needs, so it was cancelled.
