EMPATHY IN ARCHITECTURE: Healing Children Through Trauma-Informed Design

Project idea

Pakistan has experienced rapid growth in the number of childhood trauma cases reported over the last 10 years, whether it be depression, anxiety, bipolar illness, eating disorder, or even schizophrenia. One of the most common causes of these mental illnesses occurring in a child is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is a mental health condition that is triggered when a child experiences psychologically stressful events such as natural disasters, war, physical abuse, or the death of a loved one. In these situations, children feel helplessness, depression, and intense fear. However, if these feelings continue for a long time and affect your capability to live a normal life, it may signal PTSD causing various mental illnesses.
This project aims to understand how architecture can help create structured, supportive and encouraging spaces for a child recovering from trauma. The idea focuses on enabling designers to create meaningful indoor/outdoor healing environment where children construct a sense of self and adapt to new challenges. To comprehend the possibilities of creating a child-friendly healing environment where children having opportunities that can aid in sensory development and physical growth as well as have multiple experiences.
In conclusion the idea is to designing an Inclusive modular Child Development Center which integrates itself with health, play, and expression in different Government Schools.

Project description

This project consists of trauma informed modular structures which act as open classrooms and playgrounds. Each structure is designed carefully targeting the domains of child psychology through child centric design approaches.

Technical information

This pre-fabricated structure is designed with column and horizontal beams which are riveted, bolted or welded together in a rectilinear grid. The structure is decked with reclaimed wooden planks.

Documentation

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