BEYOND DISORDER

AAU - Aalborg University, Denmark

Project idea

This submission presents the 2nd semester Master project from Architectural design at Aalborg University. It contains a design proposal for a detached healthcare facility for prison staff diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder located on the island of Fur. The design proposal investigates how architecture and atmospheres can help in the healing process of psychological trauma and therefore focus mainly on themes connected to social sustainability. The project is developed through the integrated design process and is a symbiosis of aesthetics, technical and functional aspects. The project is presented with a series of drawings, visualizations, and diagrams in order to fully convey the intent and represent the finished proposal.

Project description

The objective of the semester project is to design a healthcare facility for prison staff in Denmark diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Located on the island Fur, the 1302 square meter accommodation will provide an adequate environment for the patients to inhabit and rehabilitate. The healthcare center on Fur will be deeply rooted in
its context and nature, providing healing architecture stimulating all the human senses. The architecture will assist the healing process and support the effective recovery of prison staff diagnosed with PTSD. Through the means of low energy design, the project is set to oblige a sustainable
agenda as well as accommodating efficient surroundings for the treatment.
By utilizing Research-Informed Design methods, the rehabilitation center is set to be a pioneering example of healing architecture with a patient-focused perspective.

Technical information

Overall construction is made of prefabricated elements that will be assembled in factory with high degree of precision. Both wall and roof
construction can be made by one manufacturer to optimize the quality and minimize construction waste and subsequently brought to site and craned in place over couple of weeks. Main load bearing structure is made of I-joists inside the exterior wall with some internal secondary supporting
walls when span is too long. Roof structure is made of prefabricated unventilated diffusion closed cassette elements with damp proof membrane.