peterson rich office opens 'mandala lab' as place of emotional wellness in NYC rubin museum

where emotions turn into wisdom

the rubin museum opens its mandala lab, a cultural healing space that inspires connection, empathy, and learning by channeling buddhist principles. the museum, located on 17th street in manhattan claims that the new mandala lab is where ’emotions can turn to wisdom.’ the meditative space is designed by peterson rich office.

located on the museum’s remodeled third floor, the space encourages guests to explore their emotions, to consider how complex feelings arise during everyday life, and to imagine how one might have the power to transform them. see earlier visualizations in the gallery below!

images © rafael gamo | @rafaelgamo, courtesy of the rubin museum of art

inspired by buddhist principles

inspired by powerful buddhist principles, the mandala lab features five thought-provoking, playful experiences –including videos, scents, sculpture, and curated percussion instruments — that guide visitors along an inner journey focused on self-awareness and awareness of others. visitors are invited to see, smell, touch, and breathe their way through the space.

the space dedicated to emotional wellbeing fits well in the rubin museum, which focuses mainly on art and cultural artifacts from the himalayas. with the design of the mandala lab, the architects at peterson rich office take influence from the mandala — a spiritual symbol that appears in over 100 pieces across the museum. the lab will be divided into quadrants, each offering principles to address such emotions as anger and jealousy.

the architects design the lab with influence from the mandala

rubin museum executive director jorrit britschgi comments: ‘with the mandala lab, our hope is to empower us to face today’s challenges: to widen our imagination, understand and manage our emotions, enrich our capacity for empathy, and connect with others. our hope is for the rubin to be a museum where art, ideas, research, and our emotions connect.’

the mandala lab features five thought-provoking experiences
visitors are invited to see, smell, touch, and breathe their way through the space
the rubin museum focuses mainly on art and cultural artifacts from the himalayas