The town of Oleiros in central Portugal has a connection with Tibet and HRH the Dalai Lama that goes back 400 years. In 1600 the local priest, Padre Antonio de Andrade, travelled and studied throughout Europe and India, before eventually crossing the Himalayas into Tibet. There, as one of the first Europeans to enter Tibet, he opened orphanages and spread the messages of his faith, even converting the Tibetian royal family to Catholicism.
The current Dalai Lama has even said that he would like to visit Oleiros if he ever returns to Portugal, so that he can see the birthplace of Padre Antonio de Andrade.
400 years on, Oleiros is now home to Vale de Moses, listed by Forbes Magazine and Nat Geo UK Travel as one of the best yoga retreats in Europe, with even a few Tibetan buddhist teachings taking place, bringing it full circle. For the Yoga House on a Cliff architecture competition, participants are tasked to design a new building to increase the retreat’s hosting capacity, allowing more guests to visit from around the world.
The current yoga house has capacity for 18 participants and the owner's are looking to build a second practice space that could accommodate twice that. The new structure would need to be designed using eco-friendly techniques and materials in order to respect this protected forest area.PRIZES
3 winning proposals, 3 special award recipients and 6 honorable mentions will be selected. Bee Breeders will award a total of 10,000 € in prize money to competition winners as follows:
1st Prize - 4,000 €2nd Prize - 3,000 €3rd Prize - 1,000 €“Vale de Moses Favorite” Award - 1000 €ARCHHIVE Student Award - 500 € + 50 € gift card at ARCHHIVE BOOKSBee Breeders Green Award - 500 €+ 6 honourable mentions COMPETITION SCHEDULE
Early Bird Registration: MAY 20 - JUNE 25Advance Registration: JUNE 26 - SEPTEMBER 17Last Minute Registration: SEPTEMBER 18 - NOVEMBER 12 Closing date for registration: NOVEMBER 12, 2020Closing date for submission: DECEMBER 17, 2020 (11.59pm GMT)Announcement of the winners: FEBRUARY 25, 2021
Find out more: yogahouse.beebreeders.com


The Vale de Moses Yoga Retreat located in the heart of the Portugal;




[left]: current Yoga shala; [right]: Vale de Moses Yoga Retreat founders Vonetta and Andrew;




The competition site;




View from the competition site;






Find out more: yogahouse.beebreeders.com