After some years of research and deliberation, whilst the main house was being renovated and the centre opened to the public, a structure was found which would adhere to the planning rules and function well as a space for retreat. Planning rules meant the huts couldn’t be situated in the woodland and had to be easily removable so no foundation in the ground. Therefore it was decided they would be built on removable platform between the main drive and meadow instead.

Team members who had completed their own personal retreats and using various types of accommodation spent time creating a design they felt would work well for personal retreat, whilst keeping the cost to a manageable level. Planning permission was granted and an order placed for huts that would be built on an individual wooden platform within a lightly wooded area quite close to the main house which have the follow facilities:

• A well insulated self-contained space
• A spacious room main room for sleeping and practicing
• A shower and toilet room
• Basic facilities for tea-making, cooking, washing up etc
• A veranda overlooking the surrounding countryside

Each hut (including furnishings) would cost £23,000.

Valuable feedback from those using the huts also allowed the design of the huts to evolve with each build. This has improved the general comfort and the conduciveness of the huts for retreat. For example carpets have been laid, extra floor insulation inserted, ultra-violet heaters, outdoor taps and electrical sockets, fly nets and hooks on the windows.

Geshe Samten from Kopan Monastery who was staying at Land of Joy kindly blessed the ground before the any work began. Our wonderful local builder then installed the platform which was needed to level the ground and also adhere to the planning permission requirements for the structure to be removable. Meanwhile, a trench was dug from the main house to the platform and the plumbing and electrics extended from the main house to the where each of the three huts would be.

Before too long the first hut was delivered on site in the Spring of 2019, as the biggest flatpack kit you have ever seen! It was quite a logistical challenge to lay out the various components in preparation for building to begin and for some of Land of Joy’s team to get their heads around how it all slotted together. This knowledge proved very valuable when the other two huts were built in 2020 and 2021.

With all the parts organised and the platform completed, the assembling could begin with the help of local workman and volunteers. The first one took some time to come together but by the time the third one was built the whole operation was a well oiled machine.

Once the walls were finished the roof could be built and the external wood could be stained; followed by the installation of the windows and staining the wood inside.

Once the staining was finished the floor insulation could be installed followed by the carpet, furniture, curtains and other finishing touches, including a box used to deliver meals and messages to those using the huts.

The third hut was completed in the summer of 2021 with all three in use at the time of writing. They are much loved practice spaces with everything someone needs for personal retreat. It was an ambitious project only made possible thanks to the generosity of all those who were involved from some start to finish including those who had the vision, who helped design the layout, secured the planning permission, sourced the huts, fundraised, donated and built them.