Situated in the breathtaking landscape of Samaná, Dominican Republic, Spiritual Cascades promises a getaway paradise that promotes mindfulness and introspection without compromising the convenience of the modern world. The project begins by forming a suitable environment for the off-grid farm to situate on, which in turn provides stable living conditions for the dwellers. Through terraforming the landscape with terracing techniques, the site becomes suitable for cultivating crops and secures the landscape from future rainfall and landslide occurrences. To create natural harmony between the man-made terraces and the existing environment, the landscape and water meander through the site, connecting a series of freshwater reservoirs and retention ponds distributed throughout each household. The paths of nature meandering through the terraces create varying communal connections between the off-grid farm owners on different levels of terraces and their workers. The guest houses opposite the main houses are available for both the owners’ guests and other traveling nomads, further enhancing the inner community of the site and promoting eco-tourism that can benefit the local community. A community center also sits atop the site, acting as the mediator between the off-grid farm community and the Samaná community, facilitating authentic and cultural interactions through activities such as farmers markets or the Dominican carnival. Within the dwelling portion of the off-grid farm, spaces for both introspection/meditation and outlook are provided. Inhabitants can enhance their mindfulness through meditating in spaces like the Garden of Introspection to seek their inner peace or fantasize about their futures while looking out at the expansive ocean from the pool in the Garden of Curiosity. The intentional weaving of natural elements within the living spaces emphasizes the importance of humans re-engaging with nature, a crucial step for finding inner peace and stability. Creating stability for both the inhabitants of Spiritual Cascades and the local community is equally important. The project achieves this by deploying vernacular construction materials and techniques while evolving traditional designs, enhancing the local economy without foreign interventions. The site also employs multiple self-sustaining strategies to become net-zero:

1. Crop cultivation on site is sufficient to feed all inhabitants, including the workers and guests of the main household.
2. Multiple reservoirs/retention ponds collect rainwater for freshwater supply, which is severely lacking in the nearby area. The reservoir system also serves as a backup pumped storage hydropower system for emergency purposes.
3. Dedicated solar panels for energy harvesting.
4. Preserving local ecosystems by minimizing site alterations and avoiding cutting existing trees, allowing them to continue sequestering carbon.
5. Terraforming terraces using existing soil from excavation, which minimizes wasted soil being transported away from the site and the need for foreign soil to build up terraces.

This ensures a balance between human habitation and the natural environment, fostering a sustainable and mindful community.