Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/934374
developed with an outdoor farm table con- structed from fallen trees. A replica of Thoreau's cabin made by a French artist will be offered to writers for fellowships for several months at a time. "It's another way of using the land and nature to promote something bigger than the project itself," Jekogian says. "We set up a culture instead of lots of rules." A playhouse and a play- ground is being constructed by an artist who only uses natural materials. "Kids will be climbing trees and playing on an obstacle course without rubber, plastic or metal," Jekogian says. "My job as a devel- oper is to say no if an idea is not into nature." A Zen garden with a meditation space is cen- tered around a 200-year-old oak, a zipline allows kids to fly through the trees, and a sunrise and sunset yoga platform are planned. "You are sitting under trees from 300 years ago when the Native Americans lived here," Jekogian says. "We want to have every amenity to bring people out of their homes." Despite being so rural, Walden Monterey is only minutes from restaurants and shops on Highway 68 and in Monterey, and close to Carmel. The paved road which will lead to home- sites is less than a two-minute drive from the highway. Jekogian sees the project as popular with second-home buyers, in particular, those from the tech hub of the San Francisco Bay Area. "This is a passion project," says Jekogian. "We've bought into the idea of constantly being on our tech- nology because that makes us feel like we are a very important person. We are trying to design elements to help disconnect and connect with nature." For more information, go to https://www.walden- monterey.com/breathe. 188 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 Williams says young and old can enjoy the property, although most likely a younger generation will be attracted to this particular lifestyle of attaching to nature. "Here we imagine a compound with several homes situated throughout the elevation plan, affording owners an opportunity to house grandparents, other family members or grown children nearby, each with their individual residences and all linked by nature." Photo: Walden Internal Study