Unity as Wellness and Wellness as Unity
Unity as Wellness and Wellness as Unity
Embedded Files
The architectural design project presented is a celebration and modernization of Bath's historical role as a spa city known for healing and rejuvenation. This project entails the creation of a Health and Wellbeing Centre situated at the heart of Bath, designed with conservation in mind while fostering inclusivity for individuals with psychosocial disabilities such as autism, anxiety, and ADHD. These individuals may seek to prioritize their mental and physical health, akin to past visitors to Bath who also sought healing. By incorporating universal design principles, the spa is made accessible to everyone, ensuring they can benefit from therapy services. This project serves as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to establish a socio-therapeutic space that offers private retreat areas for individuals when needed, yet encourages the restoration of wellness as a social and communal endeavor. Here, people find healing through their connections with one another and with nature. This project is meticulously crafted with the conservation of Bath's heritage in mind, featuring biodiverse planting schemes and water features that enhance the sensory experience. However, instead of merely conserving Bath's historic buildings, this project innovates and revitalizes Bath as a modern spa city.
Developing the Brief
Developing the Brief
During the pandemic, our experience of the built environment narrowed into our homes, and we learned that our homes were not the source of wellbeing we had assumed. This catalysed the core motivation for my project, which was to design a socipetal health and wellness centre for use by a community that included people with psychosocial conditions. My secondary motivation is my critical stance on the conservation of historic architecture. While preserving historic buildings may seem noble, they were originally designed to showcase wealth, power, and status. It is my belief that conserving these buildings, freezes them in time and preserves the historic ideals they were created with. The way we live our lives has evolved over the years so we should allow our building to evolve with us instead of forcing them to fall into disuse as they become not fit for purpose. Architecture should not encourage an unfair hierarchy within modern society and instead be a showcase of equality and inclusion.
I've identified six emotions experienced by neurodiverse individuals when engaging with the built environment, and used these as a reference throughout the entire design process to mitigate them.
Invisible
Anxious
Overwhelmed
Disorientated
Stigmatised
Isolated
To make users feel less invisible the wellness centre will have a Performance Space and an Art Studio. these provide opportunities for self-expression and creativity.
A Movement Studio and a Swimming Pool aim to reduce anxiety by promoting physical activity and relaxation.
A Meditation Space, Sensory Garden, and distributed Retreat spaces offer calming environments and opportunities to withdraw and re-engage, reducing feelings of overwhelm.
The building design emphasizes clear signage and a well-defined entrance to minimize user disorientation.
To combat stigmatization, the centre features a café and avoids specialized spaces. The design ensures a gradual transition from the surrounding context into the building, fostering inclusivity.
Group and Individual Therapy Rooms and Community Spaces aim to reduce isolation and provide opportunities for therapy sessions and community engagement.
Site Analysis
Site Analysis
When locating a site, I investigated three aspects: the number of covid cases, the prevalence of listed buildings and the amount of newly constructed buildings. Somerset was the county that best suited the criteria, within that, the city of Bath had another dimension of interest, having been a destination for health and healing treatments since Roman times. In this context, I could creatively challenge conservation as a priority practice by designing a contemporary building that represented a more inclusive image of who can be involved in healing treatments and communities. I decided the site should be near a historic place of worship as I think these are representative of outdated values so I determined that bath abbey should be in view of the site.
Location Plan
Location Plan
Presenting three potential site locations, my aim was to ensure each site offered a clear view of Bath Abbey, symbolizing the historical ideals I wish to challenge. I sought a location devoid of existing buildings, as demolition in a conservation-focused area would be challenging. Consequently, I selected the spacious green area to the east of the abbey, given its size and limited structures. This site currently serves as a public park, and I was determined to ensure that the final design would not disrupt its function or harm its biodiversity.
Site Plan
Site Plan
Showing the existing site along with its surroundings, I've observed that the site contains several pathways and structures, including a bandstand and a small cafe, which will necessitate removal. Additionally, there are a number of trees on the site, and I've determined that these should be preserved, as relocating them could potentially harm these older trees.
Site Section AA
Site Section AA
Site Section BB
Site Section BB
Development
Development
Spatial Planning
Spatial Planning
In the initial stages of designing the building, I determined the adjacency of rooms. I strategically placed more socially vibrant and louder spaces with higher pedestrian traffic, such as the café, swimming pool, and movement space, on the lower floor. I positioned the quieter, more relaxing spaces like therapy rooms, meditation space, and the art studio on the upper floor.
Massing Development
Massing Development
I focused on the 3D site configuration, which consists of four curved buildings encircling a sensory garden. This arrangement maximizes exposure to natural light from various angles, contributing to a less intimidating environment, particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with social anxiety.
Circulation of the Building
Circulation of the Building
The image above illustrates the building's circulation. Solid green lines represent the paths of the public who regularly access the wellness center and attend classes and support groups. Dotted green lines represent staff movements, while dotted grey lines indicate the paths of the public who exclusively visit the café, performance space, and swimming pool.
Final Design
Final Design
East Elevation
East Elevation
North Elevation
North Elevation
Section AA
Section AA
Section BB
Section BB
Roof and Sensory Garden Plan
Roof and Sensory Garden Plan
The sensory garden incorporates colourful plants, scented herbs, and textured elements, complemented by rustling leaves, wind chimes, and running water, creating a stimulating yet calming atmosphere. The outdoor space serves as a gradual transition into socialization and preserves the park's existing function while improving biodiversity.
The distance between the four buildings encourages the user to interact with nature.
The carpark is positioned on the South of the site as this area is largely shaded.
Ground Floor Plan
Ground Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
External Render
External Render
Invisible
Anxious
Overwhelmed
Disorientated
Stigmatised
Isolated
The above renders are showing the spaces and highlighting how they counter-acted the six emotions that the neuro-diverse feel when interacting with the built enviroment.
The exterior cladding utilizes treated silver birch, resembling the traditional Bath stone commonly found in the area. To reduce overwhelming noise levels, cork is used as interior cladding. The inclusion of Oculus roofs, inspired by the Eden Project, maximizes the entry of natural light into the building, enhancing its therapeutic potential. The primary structural component of the buildings is visible timber lattice beams, reminiscent of Foster's Maggie Centre in Manchester, symbolizing the supportive environment intended for the wellness centre.
My Other Projects
My Other Projects
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse