Creating Empathetic Spaces for people suffering from mental illness
Creating Empathetic Spaces for people suffering from mental illness
Architectual Thesis
4 min read
4 min read
Role:
Role:
Researcher
Researcher
Designer
Designer
3D modeler
3D modeler
Timeline:
Timeline:
6 months
6 months
Industry:
Industry:
Architectural Thesis
Architectural
Thesis
B2B
B2B
Awarded best intra-college thesis, and selected among Top 10 thesis of eastern India in 2014
Awarded best intra-college thesis, and selected among Top 10 thesis of eastern India in 2014
"During my architectural thesis research, I delved into the field of human psychology and its relationship with design."
This deepened my understanding and appreciation of the role that architecture and design play in shaping human behaviour, emotions, and experiences.
As a result of my interest in psychology and design, I proposed a design for a behavioural healthcare facility that addresses human psychology and its complexities. The proposed space was both aesthetically pleasing and functionally effective in addressing mental health issues.
The thesis was selected as the best architectural thesis of the college in 2014 and nominated as top 10 architectural thesis of eastern zone of India.
"During my architectural thesis research, I delved into the field of human psychology and its relationship with design."
This deepened my understanding and appreciation of the role that architecture and design play in shaping human behaviour, emotions, and experiences.
As a result of my interest in psychology and design, I proposed a design for a behavioural healthcare facility that addresses human psychology and its complexities. The proposed space was both aesthetically pleasing and functionally effective in addressing mental health issues.
The thesis was selected as the best architectural thesis of the college in 2014 and nominated as top 10 architectural thesis of eastern zone of India.
Scenario
Scenario
Scenario
Photo © Eugene Richards
Photo © Eugene Richards
Photo © Eugene Richards
Patients sit inside Ohio's Cleveland State Mental Hospital in 1946.
© Mary Delaney Cooke/Corbis via Getty Images
Patients sit inside Ohio's Cleveland State Mental Hospital in 1946.
© Mary Delaney Cooke/Corbis via Getty Images
Patients sit inside Ohio's Cleveland State Mental Hospital in 1946.
© Mary Delaney Cooke/Corbis via Getty Images
Mental health disorders account for nearly a sixth of all health-related disorders. Yet we have just 0.4 psychiatrists and 0.02 psychologists per 100,000 people, and 0.25 mental health beds per 10,000 populations.
Mental disorders are grossly underestimated by the community and health system in India and across the world.
India spends just 0.83% of its total health budget on mental health (WHO 2001a).
Mental health disorders account for nearly a sixth of all health-related disorders. Yet we have just 0.4 psychiatrists and 0.02 psychologists per 100,000 people, and 0.25 mental health beds per 10,000 populations.
Mental disorders are grossly underestimated by the community and health system in India and across the world.
India spends just 0.83% of its total health budget on mental health (WHO 2001a).
Mental health disorders account for nearly a sixth of all health-related disorders. Yet we have just 0.4 psychiatrists and 0.02 psychologists per 100,000 people, and 0.25 mental health beds per 10,000 populations.
Mental disorders are grossly underestimated by the community and health system in India and across the world.
India spends just 0.83% of its total health budget on mental health (WHO 2001a).
Viability of the Project
Viability of the Project
Viability of the Project
Despite several large institutions the ratio of number of cures to disabled has no depreciation.
"Requirement of new concept of psychiatric asylums as per the rising charts of mental illness"-W.H.O
Despite several large institutions the ratio of number of cures to disabled has no depreciation.
"Requirement of new concept of psychiatric asylums as per the rising charts of mental illness"-W.H.O
Scale of the Project
Scale of the Project
At State Level but has a large impact on National level. The scale depends on population density.
The design being user responsive and of maximum security, horizontal spread is more than the vertical rise.
At State Level but has a large impact on National level. The scale depends on population density.
The design being user responsive and of maximum security, horizontal spread is more than the vertical rise.
"A Design to CURE"
"A Design to CURE"
"A Design to CURE"
Creating a healing environment through the utilization of human senses and perception is crucial, as it involves addressing factors such as nature, views, and natural light.
The concept of "Design to CURE" does not imply that architecture serves as medicine itself, but rather acts as a catalyst in promoting a curative outcome.
In a country like India, which is still in the process of development, a significant portion of the population is grappling with mental and psychological issues. Hence, it becomes imperative to adopt a modern approach in the realm of Behavioral Healthcare design.
Creating a healing environment through the utilization of human senses and perception is crucial, as it involves addressing factors such as nature, views, and natural light.
The concept of "Design to CURE" does not imply that architecture serves as medicine itself, but rather acts as a catalyst in promoting a curative outcome.
In a country like India, which is still in the process of development, a significant portion of the population is grappling with mental and psychological issues. Hence, it becomes imperative to adopt a modern approach in the realm of Behavioral Healthcare design.
Case studies
Case studies
Case studies
Upon conducting an extensive case study on the subject, it has become evident that healthcare centers would greatly benefit from the incorporation of open green spaces that are seamlessly integrated with patient wards. This approach is widely embraced in healthcare center planning worldwide, and in India, notable success has been achieved in this regard, with NIMHANS serving as a prime example.
Upon conducting an extensive case study on the subject, it has become evident that healthcare centers would greatly benefit from the incorporation of open green spaces that are seamlessly integrated with patient wards. This approach is widely embraced in healthcare center planning worldwide, and in India, notable success has been achieved in this regard, with NIMHANS serving as a prime example.
Site Analysis
Site Analysis
Site Analysis
The present scenario of India is showing that Uttarakhand is having no provision of District Mental Health Program and Mental Health NGOs.
There is a Proposal of Department of Social Welfare, Government of Uttarakhand (DoSW) to build home for mentally challenged persons at Haridwar through public private partnership (PPP).
The present scenario of India is showing that Uttarakhand is having no provision of District Mental Health Program and Mental Health NGOs.
There is a Proposal of Department of Social Welfare, Government of Uttarakhand (DoSW) to build home for mentally challenged persons at Haridwar through public private partnership (PPP).
The proposed site is 4.4 acres and situated in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India, surrounded by major landmarks like SIDCUL , State Govt. Employee Quarters , Vikas Bhavan , District Court , etc. and is easily accessible by Madhya Marg.
There are also other nearby features like ALU Decor Aluminum Panel and can be capitalized for building materials.
As a general guideline, when working with smaller sites, it is often beneficial to maintain a ratio of approximately 1:1.5 between the two sides of a rectangle when designing a healthcare center. This ratio has proven to be effective in optimizing the design layout while considering the constraints of limited space.
The proposed site is 4.4 acres and situated in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India, surrounded by major landmarks like SIDCUL , State Govt. Employee Quarters , Vikas Bhavan , District Court , etc. and is easily accessible by Madhya Marg.
There are also other nearby features like ALU Decor Aluminum Panel and can be capitalized for building materials.
As a general guideline, when working with smaller sites, it is often beneficial to maintain a ratio of approximately 1:1.5 between the two sides of a rectangle when designing a healthcare center. This ratio has proven to be effective in optimizing the design layout while considering the constraints of limited space.
Climate Analysis
Climate Analysis
Nearby Landscape
Nearby Landscape
Building Orientation
Building Orientation
Site Zoning
Site Zoning
Key Design Factors to be Considered
Key Design Factors to be Considered
Form Genesis
Form Genesis
Masterplan
Masterplan
Building Shadow Analysis
Building Shadow Analysis
3D renderings
3D renderings
Design of the compound wall
Design of the compound wall
Floor Plan - Level 0
Floor Plan - Level 0
Floor Plan - Level 1
Floor Plan - Level 1
Typical Wing Plan - Level 1
Typical Wing Plan - Level 1
Floor Plan Zoning
Floor Plan Zoning
Seclusion Room 3D
Seclusion Room 3D
Secured Corridors for medical staffs
Secured Corridors for medical staffs
Patient Counselling Room
Patient Counselling Room
Patient Corridors
Patient Corridors
Staircase Design
Colour psychology is used to attract the patients to the upper floor
Staircase Design
Colour psychology is used to attract the patients to the upper floor
Sections and Elevations
Sections and Elevations
Typical Unit
Optimized based on suicidal and attacking tendency of the patient.
Typical Unit
Optimized based on suicidal and attacking tendency of the patient.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The primary objective of this thesis is to shed light on the marginalized section of society, individuals who are burdened with the stigma of "mental illness." However, it is crucial to remember that mental illness is a treatable disability, and with the right support and cooperation, we can reintegrate these individuals back into society.
Unfortunately, instead of offering the necessary assistance, we confine them to mental asylums that resemble prisons rather than places of healing.
As an aspiring architect, I am driven to contribute my efforts towards helping this underserved community and facilitating their reintegration. Through my design, I aim to develop a basic prototype that can establish a "Healing Environment" for them. It is an immensely challenging task as I must take into account the design's priorities while also meeting the diverse needs and requirements of the individuals who will utilize the space.
It is crucial for us to approach their problems with a focus on evidence-based design (EVD) rather than turning a blind eye to their struggles. By employing EVD principles, we can better address their needs and create environments that genuinely promote healing and well-being.
The primary objective of this thesis is to shed light on the marginalized section of society, individuals who are burdened with the stigma of "mental illness." However, it is crucial to remember that mental illness is a treatable disability, and with the right support and cooperation, we can reintegrate these individuals back into society.
Unfortunately, instead of offering the necessary assistance, we confine them to mental asylums that resemble prisons rather than places of healing.
As an aspiring architect, I am driven to contribute my efforts towards helping this underserved community and facilitating their reintegration. Through my design, I aim to develop a basic prototype that can establish a "Healing Environment" for them. It is an immensely challenging task as I must take into account the design's priorities while also meeting the diverse needs and requirements of the individuals who will utilize the space.
It is crucial for us to approach their problems with a focus on evidence-based design (EVD) rather than turning a blind eye to their struggles. By employing EVD principles, we can better address their needs and create environments that genuinely promote healing and well-being.
Let's solve understand the problems together !!
Let's solve understand the problems together !!
Designed by Kaushik Das
Designed by Kaushik Das