Jainika Shah designs Adhyatma Spiritual Spa retreat
Architect Jainika Shah’s work centers on wellness-driven spatial design, bringing together technology, tradition, sustainability, and environmental awareness. Her practice approaches architecture as an interaction between human experience and ecological systems, a principle that shapes Adhyatma, a conceptual wellness retreat envisioned for Sedona, Arizona. Named after the Sanskrit term for ‘higher soul,’ the project integrates itself into the red-rock landscape through material selection and passive strategies. Recycled wood forms the primary wall surfaces, while open-air meditation pavilions are oriented to filter sunlight and encourage natural ventilation. Shallow reflective pools further connect the built environment with the surrounding desert context. The retreat is organized as a sequence of sensory zones designed to support reflection, sound-based practices, and solitude.
Alongside Adhyatma, Shah explores material research through ‘Mycelium Maison,’ a project based on the biological characteristics of mycelium. Here, the architectural system considers living, regenerative material behavior as a substitute for extractive construction methods. The study examines how mycelium-based components could grow, decompose, and reintegrate into natural cycles, merging material innovation with organic architectural forms.
all images courtesy of Jainika Shah
Jainika Shah’s Cross-Disciplinary Design Practice
Jainika Shah’s portfolio also includes contributions to large-scale scientific, pharmaceutical, and healthcare facilities. These projects require strict environmental control, spatial organization, and technical precision. Her approach links operational performance, such as airflow, safety protocols, and equipment planning, with spatial clarity and user well-being, demonstrating how scientific environments can be shaped through both functional and human-centered considerations.
Her work has been recognized by the Loop Design Awards, BLT Built Design Awards, Design Skills Award, and International Design Awards. Beyond project work, Shah contributes to industry leadership and advocacy. The designer serves on the American Institute of Architects’ Equity and the Future of Architecture Committee, as well as acting as a Regional Lead for Women in BIM, supporting global dialogue on digital innovation and gender equity in the profession. She also participates in mentorship initiatives aimed at strengthening inclusive design leadership. Shah’s projects have been exhibited internationally, including at the AIGA International Design Celebration, Museum of Outstanding Design, SAB Gallery, The Holy Art Gallery, and Streeters Gallery. Across her work, she positions architecture as a field where environmental research, material experimentation, and spatial wellbeing intersect.
wellness-focused spatial design guiding Jainika Shah’s architectural approach
architecture shaped by the interaction between human experience and ecology
Adhyatma envisioned as a wellness retreat embedded in Sedona’s red-rock terrain
recycled wood used as the primary structural and surface material
sensory zones arranged to encourage reflection and quiet immersion
functional environments shaped with attention to user wellbeing
reflective pools connecting the retreat to the surrounding desert atmosphere
open-air meditation pavilions designed to filter sunlight naturally
spaces organized to support sound-based practices and solitude
project info:
name: Adhyatma – Spiritual Spa
designer: Jainika Shah
location: Sedona, Arizona
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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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