Studies show that the stigma against mental illness still influences the attitude towards mental health worldwide. This is largely due to media stereotypes and lack of education; many people attach negative or dismissive attitudes toward mental health conditions at a much higher rate than they do with other diseases and disabilities. In Pakistan, 50.8 million people suffer from stress and those who suffer from any sort of mental illnesses are often told to get over it,” or asked, “why are you always so gloomy?” signaling deep, cultural misunderstandings of how mental illness can be debilitating and life-threatening.
With the increasing societal issues, rapid climate changes, pandemic and environmental degradation, many people are becoming more prone to stress. This is and will always be a major reason for lack of productivity, bad health and causing hindrance in daily life function. These people that are usually associated with heavy stress often seek professional help in the hospitals, but some are reluctant because of the cost of treatment, clinical ambience and the societal pressure which comes off as these people being deemed as not fit for the society. Without immediate intervention to help out such people, this could be a burden for developing countries like Pakistan, where workplace productivity depends on the physical, emotional and mental state of one another. Because there is less education, less technology, and less money for mental health crises, rarely do sufferers seek medical help, even if scant support is available.
Unfortunately, in Pakistan the lower class living in slums (known as “Katchi Abadi’s”) lack basic amenities and sufferers are rarely able to seek medical help or even think about getting help for their mental illness. Hence, the goal is to help the poor get the support needed without having to pay large amounts of money. Because societal perception has not yet changed despite various campaigns attempting to de stigmatize mental health, Architectural intervention and sensory design may significantly help in creating awareness through physical and experiential responses to the specially designed environment. It is indeed a challenge for the government, medical, and especially in the architectural sectors across the country, to provide an effective and holistic healing process without compromising the natural environment. By introducing a mental health resort in line with the emerging health resort trends, this project transforms the conventional health care design and optimizes healing aspect of the resort, making it a prominent health destination in the province. Through this, healing architecture is introduced as a paradigm shift from the conventional approach of health care design.
Anyone experiencing mental health concerns or significant stress, can have easy access to these therapeutic environments without being “medicalized.” or “institutionalized.” Rather than labeling these architectural and sensory environments as “medical help,” or limiting its use by labeling it as a “medical facility,” the sensory design and holistic experience offered by my project will welcome everyone by focusing on nourishing the overall well being of visitors while minimizing environmental impact to the natural setting. Environments are designed to enhance quality of life by creating a supportive, calm environment. Ultimately, this designed environment does not only focus on breaking down the stigma associated with mental health, but most importantly, it seeks to eradicate the mental health issues of its populace and create awareness through design. The use of materials, structure, aesthetics, utilities, and design sustainability is considered and researched in order to create an affordable and sustainable healing environment.
Through eyes we see the design and composition of the space, through nose we smell the scent of the space, through hearing we understand the space, through touch we feel the texture of the space and through taste we add depth to the space. Putting all these biological tools together creates a three dimensional experience of the space as we equip our mind to visualize and appreciate the design. There are all different aspects involved in the healing process and one way to amplify their healing journey is by providing an experience that is nourishing to all their senses.
The site development plan focuses on circulation. The circulation of the users allows them to choreograph their own movement through the space. The spaces are interlinked through the modes within the curving flow. It also features compact arrangement of spaces to maximize the interconnection while maximizing the walking distance. Putting these altogether creates a development that recognizes both the needs of the people and the surrounding environment.
The flow of the site imitates the reclining figure that is projected in the shape of Mt. Makiling. According to legend, Maria Makiling is sent by Bathala in the mountain to aid the mankind in their daily tasks. Similar to that, this form will also serve as a guide to the circulation of the users. Each type of user is given the opportunity to experience architecture. Through this, users will be able to articulate their own experience and story taking into account the sequence and the transition of spaces, thresholds, program of activities and the atmospheres encountered through movement. The environment built affects our experience in many different aspects like the accessibility of the place, and the purpose of the place. Integrating these within the project adds a personal touch to their healing journey, and as a result a lasting wellness experience.
CITATIONS:
1. Traditional Houses – Thailand.
http://www.pattaya-location-beach-front.com/anmaison.php
2. A sensory garden at Whicher Ridge winery in Western Australia
https://www.homestolove.com.au/sensory-garden-whicher-ridge-winery-13831
3. How to design a sensory garden – Sensory Trust.
https://www.sensorytrust.org.uk/resources/guidance/sensory-gardens-design-guide
4. (PDF) Sensory Garden in Special Schools: The issues, design and use.
5. Thai sala | Bamboo Architecture | Chiangmai Life Construction
7. Spa & Wellness: A look around the stunning Keemala resort on Phuket | CLAD
https://www.cladglobal.com/architecture_design_features?codeid=30966
8. The gorgeous Six Senses Yao Noi Resort near Phuket, Thailand
