The Won Dharma Center is a retreat in rural, upstate New York for spiritual reflection and discussion. The property gently slopes toward the west, offering views of the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Mountains. The buildings for the center, which include permanent and guest residences, an administration building and a large meditation hall, are placed in the northern end of the site, set back from the highway. The buildings are all oriented towards the west and south to maximize view and light, while each building is organized around an internal courtyard.
The design concept for the buildings evokes both the tradition of grass-roofed houses in Korea and a natural disposition of groups of trees placed along the grassy slope. Visitors walk between and among the buildings as if walking between and through clusters of trees, while the discovery of the inner courtyards creates a sense of surprise and quiet calmness appropriate for a spiritual retreat. The buildings are constructed primarily of wood, and are designed to minimize energy use while taking advantage of natural light and ventilation.