“The Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round…..The Sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nest in circles …Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were…. and so it is in everything where power moves.” Black Elk
Reason #1. Our human connection with the shape of a round home runs deep. Think about it. Our original home (mothers womb) is round. Our ancient “homes” ; caves, tipis, hearth fire gatherings, yurts were beautiful round shapes. Round is a familiar and soothing shape in nature, our very organs and limbs and the trees around us are……round.
Entering a Mandala, many people comment that they sense a quality of beauty and elegance in the space.
“I feel at home”
“It feels sacred.”
“I feel hugged by this home and yet it is spacious”
Reason #2. The round shape is a naturally green design. Round homes use less wall, floor and roof materials to enclose the same square footage as a rectangular structure. In fact, 15% to 20% less material is used to create the same square foot building compared to a rectangular design! A round floor plan provides the greatest amount of space possible for the materials used. This means more living space on a smaller footprint which is in alignment with our values for sustainability.
It also means less surface area in contact with adverse weather conditions such as high heat, extreme cold, wind and driving rains which improves the overall durability and energy efficiency of the home. Comparing the energy efficiency of a rectangular building to a round building of the same size is revealing. Heat circulates better (thermal dynamics) in a round space and there is less exterior surface area for heat to escape from. So, circular homes out perform traditionally shaped buildings. (That’s reason #3!)
Another benefit of the round design is its superior structural strength The interconnected, engineered building system and the natural benefits of curves mean that circular buildings are extraordinarily strong and withstand severe weather including earth quakes, high winds and heavy snowfall. Wind naturally moves around round houses instead of getting caught in the corners.(Reason #4).
The acoustics in a Mandala are exceptional. The round shape softens the sounds inside the building making it the perfect place for rest and reflection or for socializing and listening to and playing music. The shape also prevents noise from penetrating in from the outside. Sound waves dissipate as they wrap around the building, shielding you from outside noise. My ears are sensitive, and it is heavenly for me to bathe in the silence or soothing sounds in the interior of a Mandala, so this is reason #5!
“There is something about the very shape of the circle that provides us a glimpse into the wholeness, unity, and divine order of the universe. The circle is a reflection of the world’s- and our own- deep perfection, unity, design excellence, wholeness and divine nature.” Michael Schneider, A Beginner’s Guide to constructing the universe