A Mindful Retreat Shaped 
by Nature

On the quiet shores of Muhu Island, Estonia, Dharma Resort offers an experience shaped by nature, mindfulness, and a slower rhythm of living. Conceived as a sanctuary for rest and inner balance, the resort invites guests to step away from distraction and reconnect with both environment and self.Within this setting, fire is introduced not as a focal attraction, but as a quiet presence - one that supports warmth, reflection, and shared moments in harmony with the surrounding landscape.
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thumbnail: esf-mix-850-fire-pit-dharma-resort-177.pngModern outdoor living space with the contemporary Mix 850 fire pit creating warmth and atmosphere on a patio beside a glass-walled home © dharmaresort.ee. Photo: Priidu Saart. saartvisuals.com

Project Background

Set among juniper trees and forest paths in Rässa village, Dharma Resort is deeply connected to its natural context. Architecture, materials, and spatial planning are deliberately restrained, allowing the landscape, light, and seasonal shifts to take the lead.

Each accommodation is positioned with privacy and stillness in mind, linked by gentle pathways that encourage unhurried movement through the site. Outdoor spaces are equally considered, offering places to pause, breathe, and experience the environment without interruption.

In this setting, every design decision is guided by balance, simplicity, and respect for nature.

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thumbnail: esf-mix-850-fire-pit-dharma-resort-1.pngModern outdoor living space with the contemporary Mix 850 fire pit creating warmth and atmosphere on a patio beside a glass-walled home © dharmaresort.ee. Photo: Priidu Saart. saartvisuals.com

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thumbnail: esf-mix-850-fire-pit-dharma-resort-129.pngModern outdoor living space with the contemporary Mix 850 fire pit creating warmth and atmosphere on a patio beside a glass-walled home © dharmaresort.ee. Photo: Priidu Saart. saartvisuals.com

The Brief

The fire solution needed to:

  • Support the resort’s philosophy of mindful, intentional living
  • Sit comfortably within a forested, natural environment
  • Contribute warmth and atmosphere without disrupting stillness
  • Operate cleanly and quietly, in keeping with a wellness retreat
  • Minimise structural impact on the site
  • Align with the resort’s focus on longevity and thoughtful design

Fire was envisioned as an element that would complement moments of presence and connection, rather than compete for attention.

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thumbnail: esf-mix-850-fire-pit-dharma-resort-181.pngModern outdoor living space with the contemporary Mix 850 fire pit creating warmth and atmosphere on a patio beside a glass-walled home © dharmaresort.ee. Photo: Priidu Saart. saartvisuals.com

The Solution

The Mix 850 Natural Fire Table was chosen for its grounded proportions and freestanding format, allowing it to be placed within the landscape with minimal intervention. Its form is calm and balanced, echoing the simplicity found throughout the resort’s architecture and outdoor spaces.

Using clean-burning bioethanol, the fire produces a real flame without smoke, ash, or soot, preserving the clarity of air and the quiet atmosphere essential to the Dharma experience. The warmth and movement of the flame offer comfort without intrusion, becoming part of the sensory rhythm of the space.

Rather than defining the setting, the fire settles into it, offering warmth, light, and presence in a way that feels natural and unforced.

Atmosphere & Experience

At Dharma Resort, fire aligns with the pace of island life. Its gentle movement mirrors the surrounding elements - wind through trees, shifting light, and the slow passing of time.

Whether experienced in solitude or shared quietly with others, the fire supports moments of grounding and reflection. It encourages guests to linger outdoors, to gather without an agenda, and to remain present within their surroundings.

In this way, fire becomes part of the retreat’s emotional landscape, contributing to a sense of calm and continuity rather than spectacle.

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thumbnail: esf-mix-850-fire-pit-dharma-resort-164.pngModern outdoor living space with the contemporary Mix 850 fire pit creating warmth and atmosphere on a patio beside a glass-walled home © dharmaresort.ee. Photo: Priidu Saart. saartvisuals.com

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thumbnail: esf-mix-850-fire-pit-dharma-resort-136.pngModern outdoor living space with the contemporary Mix 850 fire pit creating warmth and atmosphere on a patio beside a glass-walled home © dharmaresort.ee. Photo: Priidu Saart. saartvisuals.com

Sustainability Considerations

Mindful living at Dharma Resort extends beyond guest experience into the way the environment is respected and preserved. Design choices prioritise longevity, low impact, and harmony with the natural setting.

Bioethanol aligns with these values. As a renewable, clean-burning fuel, it produces no smoke or residue and requires no flue or permanent construction. This reduces material intervention while maintaining the integrity of the landscape and surrounding structures.

The freestanding nature of the fire solution also allows flexibility over time, supporting a considered approach to design that can evolve without unnecessary disruption.

Outcome

The inclusion of fire at Dharma Resort enhances outdoor spaces in a way that feels aligned with the retreat’s deeper intentions. Integrated with sensitivity and restraint, it supports warmth, comfort, and connection while preserving the stillness that defines the experience.

The project illustrates how fire can be introduced into wellness-focused environments as a quiet companion to nature — reinforcing atmosphere, presence, and balance without overshadowing place.

Learn More

Discover more about Dharma Resort and its approach to mindful, nature-led retreat experiences:

Website: dharmaresort.ee
Instagram: dharmaresort

Photography by Priidu Saart, courtesy of Saart Visuals.

Project Information

  • Country: Estonia
  • Photographer: Priidu Saart

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