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Final exhibition layout

Relatively happy with the outcome - but I wish I could have pushed it just that much further. I would have liked to perfect my renders further, and shown the specific detailing within the structure. For example, the storage within the thickened walls in the community room, the material detailing between the timber and aluminium, the sliding doors, and window blinds. Lastly, I would have liked to better design my site map, and have a detailed section cut. However, I am happy with the feeling and atmosphere my renders have created, and I believe I have created a very therapeutic design. 

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FINAL POSTER

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Care, not cure  A publication used to explain my honours project in further detail. As a multidisciplinary designer I chose to use my skills within photography and graphic design to emphasize the real atmosphere of my design.  By using detailed paper as my cover, to overlay my site image of dunes. This gave the book a natural feel, therapeutic at first glance. Within my book I used renders and diagrammatic maps to describe the way you would make your way through the space. Specifically using textured cream paper within my book, and tip-in detailed paper pages, capturing the raw and natural feel within my design. I have used some images above as examples seen within my book.

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YOGA/SAUNA/CHANGING ROOM

Visitors have the option to enjoy a yoga class, or a sauna. I am inviting you to linger, and enjoy the space for the day. Removing the stigma around current health care, that you must “get in and get out.”

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OPEN/PRIVATE THERAPY

Despite pushing for an open and destigmatized environment, I understand that change can be difficult and learning to openly share may seem daunting. Therefore having two private rooms available if required. This space is about connecting with your community, and connecting your mind, body and soul. Enhancing your wellbeing through your senses - the sites materiality, natural approach, connection to land, smells and sounds of the sea, taste of comfort over a coffee or tea, the feel of sand between your toes.

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COMMUNITY HUB

After checking in, customers can continue through to the community room. Here one can enjoy creative therapy, open counselling, social activities, or simply just relax. The aim was to have a spacious room with no distinct barrier between interior/exterior. An open flow from the cafe to community hub, allowing for constant connection and interaction. The sliding doors also open out to the beach, facing out to the north allowing for all day sun. 

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CAFE

On arrival, users begin their experience by entering through the cafe. This works somewhat like a reception, as users speak with a server to ‘check in.’ A humanistic and comforting approach to something that can often be quite daunting for many. Customers are invited to linger and socialize, or carry on to the community room, open/private therapy, yoga or sauna. The aim is to provide comfort and a sense of community. 

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SITE

Seatoun, an eastern suburb of Wellington on the east coast of the Miramar Peninsula. A popular beach spot for Wellingtonians all year round. Just a short drive from Wellington central, with beautiful views along the coastline. Seatoun beach is relatively sheltered, with clean sandy beaches and breathtaking views over the ranges and out to Steeple rock. A favourite location for families, and popular for it’s location, beaches and bays, parks, tree-lined streets, panoramic views, village shopping, and minimal traffic. 3 Monro street is located on the waterfront of Seatoun beach, facing North-East. It captures all day sun, with spectacular sunrises appearing over the ranges. My site is on the waterfront, following along the street and beach park allowing passerby’s the ability to engage with the space.

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Film site photos.  Trying to capture the feeling and atmosphere of my site. Images taken to include within my publication, and bring in within my renders/photoshop files.

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Final draft before printing final poster

Feedback to change:

Don’t have black and white images - so much of my design is about materiality and the feel of the space so it’s important to see that. They could also be bigger. Top left B&W image needs to have more sky, and become rectangular like the remainder.  Dog could look more realistic. Site map needs to be in line with title. Magnified image of site plan needs to be zoomed in more. Final grammar touches in project description.

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WEEK 11 PRESENTATION 

Poster + feedback (book to be finished for final exhibition) Feedback one: Walk around feedback Nice renders - Clearly displays project, easy to understand and feel relaxed instantly looking at images.  “Healthy life studio” term could be replaced as something more specific as currently too broad. Give the specific address (work on site plan). What is currently there, or is it vacant land? Beautiful renders - just need to show more of the experience/atmosphere = show that the space will care for me.  Beautiful renders - very ‘lux’ if it is addressing mental health are the visitors a demographic that can afford this? Big contrast to government funded community space. Or are you targeting a wealthier consumer?  So pretty - but is it a communal space, or a solitary space? A site plan with an address would help show where it is in the city.  Who do you see coming here? Luxurious renders, wealthy middle age? Bigger site map

Feedback two: Post presentation feedback Site map detailing needs to be stronger Show pathway from the beach and people accessing the studio. Materials -> show haptic more Path detail - perhaps a perspective of someone walking and looking down at the path. Add lighting in pathways. Perspective shot from the back of the buildings look out to the ocean/mountains on both sides. This will help show people accessing the building.  How do people know to go there? How do we know we can go there, and that it’s public/what it is? Sign/graphics/more populated and not just a house?  Change of wood/materials as way finding. Shows transitional spaces and how you progress through the site. Will also show contrast of renders. Description with images need to be more detailed and specific. Not just obvious “community space” titles, describe why I showed this perspective. What happens there? Give a brief blurb.  Labelling the map and site analysis. Key notes/arrows on elevations/plans Material key/description/weather/sun angles/weather renders/description/ Field of view camera show -> SketchUp camera view.

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Week 9 Feedback:

Consider detailing on materials - particular wood/timber/steel. WOOD - Shadow clad ply, rough dark floor, white walls, vertical redwood, glubam beams, pine ply. Subconscious way finding - Change of texture in woods, rough sawn timber to smooth sawn. Colour change?  For separate rooms, floor material could change e.g therapy rooms have carpet, and changing room has tiles. Structurally concrete floor, with wood overlay. Foot paths, consider decking as it has gaps for drainage. OR way-finding paths, and no longer connected ‘pods’, instead use stones, gravel, or sand to imbed with landscape/beach/dunes. Does there need to be clear roofing over metal panels, so users can transition through each space + need shelter for entrance path.  Beam joists + bearer for where walls don’t match either side, need to be. Also use steel beams not wood.  Steel frame with timber fill rather than timber framing. Aluminium framing for window and doors.  Building capacity - how many people? Toilet numbers (unisex). Do the private rooms need their own bathrooms = a place to use for the cafe/comm room too rather than changing room. 

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Week 8 tutor group feedback:

Rethink placement of pillars. Could vines, vegetation grow up them, and the slats? Emphasize the sites connection with the earth, landscape and nature. You don’t need a  yoga mat, could bring the class outside onto the grass? Think of the functionality of the spaces. Do I need to provide extra mats and towels for the yoga room? What about storage? By thickening walls I can hide ‘storage’ within. Consider the café and storage needed for there to. Should the yoga room face to the right further? How will it work being right beside a noisy community room and café? Could there be two separate rooms within, to fit best for sunset/sunrise. Remember to consider everyday stuff such as rubbish, building capacity etc. Will my seating be temporary? Does it come and go, and be stored away into a cupboard. Consider prevailing wind breaks, consider weather protection, temporary wall slides? What more could happen in the paths? Room for activities, future events? Rethink the flow of the path/deck. MUST HAVE: Situational shot. How do people approach the site? And site plan, important to show context in place. The architecture, structure and materials is what I mean by ‘nature’ and ‘natural’, I don't have to bring in planters etc. to provide nature. Show this direction of nature further. Great palette of materials. My design is familiar to pavilion, as well as the vocabulary used. However the sauna doesn’t quite relate to the space and shapes. Sliding doors and windows, the gap between roof and window provides a shallow steel area. Make larger - need room for eves and gutter. Put myself into the site. What is needed? How will I feel? How will it work realistically? What is the best wood to use for aesthetics, acoustics, sustainability, and the senses? Consider a walkthrough video of users experiencing the space. And/or a projection of people using the space in a section cut.

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Design Responses

Answering questions and constructive feedback post presentation Site & Structure Orientation of the buildings. All positioned for the view, but could this be done better. Central spaces act as primary gathering points, encouraging community and conversation. SOCIAL HEART. Public interaction with the space = visitors approach the space from the beach, and surrounding cafes and shops. Word of mouth. Seatoun and surrounding suburbs. How to people learn, and be drawn to this place? Design for self-care, improvement of oneself. Atmosphere Create an emotional space Light - Objects, walls, solids, light, sounds, colour. Objects create inhabitant, identity and expressiveness. Idea, memory, colour, furniture, smell, light, texture. Concelaed LED strips = illuminates exposed timber joints. Air - Build breathing space. Materials - Haptic paths designed by varying scale, texture and colour, enhancing the journey throughout the site. Natural palette + materials - timber cladding, raw stone. Materials relating to the surroundings = HARMONIZING (Seatoun, Breaker Bay). Wood finishings to express sense of nature. Exposure of timber frame, internally? Timber cladding, charred = creating rouchness, and tactlity. Materials can be split, cut, sawed, drilled, polished. Change of texture, colour, temerature, and tone. Creating warmth and character. Sound - Induces emotional and sensual responses.  

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Stigma & Architecture

Research documented within the book Stigma & Architecture by Julia W. Robinson and Travis Thompson, has shown that the degree to which a building is perceived as homelike or institutional affects the behavior of both staff and resident (or in my case visitor/patient). Residents of buildings perceived as more institutional were found to have Significantly more stereotypical repetitive behaviors (repetitious movements) and significantly fewer independently generated behaviors. The reverse was found in the settings perceived (by parents, staff, and residents) to be more homelike. The findings suggest that the symbolic environment works in tandem with the instrumental environment to affect people's actions both directly by engendering expectations and actions and indirectly by affecting expectations of and actions toward others.   By designing a homely/domestic/humanizing space, this provides for an opportunity to change those affected by illnesses behavioural patterns. This itself helps de-stigmatize societies view of mental illnesses, and can allow public users to this space without the bad knowledge of mental illnesses. Therefore redefining how we perceive illnesses, therapy, and treat our mental well-being.

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Presentation Feedback

What is haptic about the pathways in the design? A good test and how these spaces and activities occupy the room is warranted. Show how this space cares, specifically. How does this space eliminate the stigma around mental illness? How do the public use this space? The atmosphere purpose of the space + zones within the space and relationship between individual + space is really important. Experience + atmosphere. The site gives good context, further exploration into how the public and site connect with each other is needed. Street vs city connection. Does this design need to be restricted to one site or could there be a series of them, and/or one design fits all. Can everyone heal in public space? Further detail in the floor plans is needed. The ceilings and wooden beams feel very healing. “Healthy life studio” is a little bit broad/general - could this be redefined? How do you access the building? Where is the furniture? What uses do you want the different areas to have? Is anyone allowed to come? When is it open? 9-5, 7-10? Does it have new uses on different days or in the weekend? Event uses? How does it invite you in, does this change how you feel arriving/leaving? Where do you go on arrival? Does someone greet you? Where do people put prams, wheelchairs etc Could way-finding be implemented to help guide users through the space? Activities are said, explained, and zoned, but how do people experience them? Is this space an open source space you can use it without purpose? Or if you are in need of treatment must you go through the process of booking a ‘yoga’ session? Can this space reach out to you? Is there some significance in the way all the rooms are positioned & the journey through the space that is rejuvenating? Domestic/Home/Humanity - What materials, furnishings, objects can be used to employ these feelings? What materials and why? Is this a space which facilitates practices of - SELF CARE - connections to self. How is this space new? What is my point of difference.

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WEEK 7 PRESENTATION Care not cure, a healthy life studio located just 20 minutes from Wellingtons CBD in the beautiful Seatoun. A community space that connects its users through nature, wellness, and humanity. A transitional, therapeutic and regenerative experience. Heavily timbered structures, connected through haptic paths creating an interplay between interior and exterior. Immersing patients and visitors into nature and daylight, offering a stress-free healing experience. Summer provides for spectacular views of the surrounding water and mountains, while winter offers rain chatter, a calming beat which emphasizes the safety within the space, away from the worries of everyday life.

This project is about eliminating the stigma around mental illness, and redefining how we care for our wellbeing. A therapeutic and versatile space with rooms designed for yoga, meditation, sauna, creativity, gathering and teachings. Therapy is incorporated through creative practice, private sessions, or even just over a coffee. This design offers to accommodate to everyone, leaving people feeling rejuvenated and cared for. A place to care, not cure. Measurements and sketches were drawn on top of this once printed.