High in the Sangre de Christo Mountains of the San Luis Valley in Colorado, a new spiritual center is being constructed by Shinji Shumeikai. It began with a vision and a visit from our President, Kaicho-Sensei, to the area as a guest of Hanne Strong. Kaicho-Sensei had met Hanne and her husband, Maurice Strong, at a gathering of world and spiritual leaders concerned about the environment. Kaicho-Sensei and other members of the Shumei family were drawn to the area of Crestone by its beauty, its spiritual energy, and the presence of many religious and spiritual groups. It was Hanne Strong's concept that here in this sacred valley, on land grant-deeded to groups from around the world, a unique community could be formed.

After several years' discussion and planning, Shumei has accepted and is building on a forty-acre parcel of property eighty-five hundred feet up on the mountainside, with a panoramic view of the San Luis Valley. The initial plan calls for a sanctuary, a combination food service and meeting building, a caretaker residence, an outdoor amphitheater for lectures and entertainment, a Natural Agriculture garden area, and a greenhouse. The site has been planned to take advantage of the over one-hundred-year-old stone walls left from an old mining operation, and is unique in that it already has a level, southwest-facing area for building which will not disturb the natural vegetation of the site.

All of the buildings will use sustainable architecture wherever possible; as shown by the walls of the building being made from straw bales. Straw bales are one of the best insulation sources available, and is a completely renewable resource. "Green wood" will be used wherever possible, and adobe will be used in some of the flooring. The energy for the project will come from a combination of county sources (as a back-up system), with electrical power coming from photovoltaic panels. Heat will come from solar collectors. Cooling will come from natural air current flow, as the weather is mild during the summer months. There will be a gray water system, as well as fresh water supplied by the county water system.

The project is expected to break ground the first of April 2001, and be completed around November of 2001. It is our hope that members of the Shumei family will come and join us in the construction of the project, as there are several areas where members can participate in the actual building process. As the start date gets closer, there will be more information on this program.

This site will offer new experiences for all members of Shinji Shumeikai as the area of Crestone is rich in spiritual energy, and is a community filled with interesting places and people.

[The project is being designed and managed by SSA member Laurence Deutsch in association with PEH Architects, Peter Heinz, Principal, of Boulder, Colorado.]

From SHUMEI Magazine, VOL. 231, january/february, 2001