WAKING LIFE 2026

The Soft Archive

WAKING LIFE 2026

Storyboard

The Soft Archive is a small, ethereal hideaway for collective emotional resonance by the lake. The space acts as both a floating diary and light installation — a cozy nest overlooking the water where people can pause, reflect, and process in between the music.

Each day, the installation is anchored by a guiding question and shifting color-story that shapes the lighting, scent, and mood. Together, each of these elements will build a soft narrative arc through a range of emotions and memories – hope, freedom, melancholy, anger, romantic love – as the festival unfolds.

The design takes inspiration from the Cochilo Stage in 2018, which created an intimate, reflective atmosphere with a tree-house feel.

Concept

01

structure

We hope to create the Soft Archive in a pre-existing structure onsite along the edge of the lake, such that it could allow for the light elements to reflect on the water at nightfall. Most ideally, it would be built inside of an elevated pod / treehouse-like space. However, we are aware space inside lake-side structures might be limited or pre-determined, so we are quite flexible and open to discussing other options– for example as a protruding dock/platform in the water, or even a little lakeside alcove/tent we could set up inside. See concept sketches below for various setup ideas depending on the space we are given. :) At the interior of the space, we will have cozy, intimate seating for 4-6 people as well as a low table for writing. We plan to only use secondhand furniture and rugs from local Portuguese sources.

02

seating

The interior is designed as an intimate, minimal living room for 4–6 people, centered around low seating and a single low table or bench for writing and quiet reflection. All furniture, rugs, and textiles are sourced secondhand from local Portuguese vendors, grounding the space in reuse and lived history. A statement Portuguese-inspired blanket or rug anchors the room, layered with throws and pillows to create a soft, meditative atmosphere shaped by texture, warmth, and intentional restraint.

01

structure

We hope to create the Soft Archive in a pre-existing structure onsite along the edge of the lake, such that it could allow for the light elements to reflect on the water at nightfall. Most ideally, it would be built inside of an elevated pod / treehouse-like space. However, we are aware space inside lake-side structures might be limited or pre-determined, so we are quite flexible and open to discussing other options– for example as a protruding dock/platform in the water, or even a little lakeside alcove/tent we could set up inside. See concept sketches below for various setup ideas depending on the space we are given. :) At the interior of the space, we will have cozy, intimate seating for 4-6 people as well as a low table for writing. We plan to only use secondhand furniture and rugs from local Portuguese sources.

02

seating

The interior is designed as an intimate, minimal living room for 4–6 people, centered around low seating and a single low table or bench for writing and quiet reflection. All furniture, rugs, and textiles are sourced secondhand from local Portuguese vendors, grounding the space in reuse and lived history. A statement Portuguese-inspired blanket or rug anchors the room, layered with throws and pillows to create a soft, meditative atmosphere shaped by texture, warmth, and intentional restraint.