All of us need to get away from the daily humdrum to recharge our batteries. If ordinary mortals can make do with some time-off in a spa, guess where the world’s most powerful people should be heading to destress – to the University Leadership Sanctuary. Yes, the $300m private retreat is the brainchild of Donna Vassar of the Vassar education dynasty. The retreat situated on the shores of Lake Las Vegas amidst the pink rocks of the Nevada desert will feature a monastery for the leaders to contemplate about their decisions or do some soul searching; a conference centre for negotiations and sign treaties, a library to dig into their favorite authors and huge landscaped garden to enjoy the nature. The four-storey sanctuary is built in the shape of the globe so that the leaders don’t really forget the purpose of their well deserved break. The main globe building will be on four levels. The ground floor will house a library and the first floor a debating chamber; while on the second floor will be technology to help make the building energy efficient. At the top, under a dome of glass, will be the spiritual heart of the development – the contemplation space where leaders will be encouraged to sit in silence. Douglas Patterson, a London-based architect has been commissioned to design the power retreat.