Re:Mind - Physiological Wellness Center in the City through Biophilic Design

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Project idea

We perceive space and place through connection of all our senses. It only has meaning when it is experienced, and all our senses are simultaneously engaged as behavior of our daily lives take place. Our emotional and behavior may drain due to stress factors from time to time, and only can be replenished through a conducive environment. We opt for an escape to a different place to restore our emotional needs, be it to go outdoor and enjoy the nature or anything that are therapeutic. Human emotional and health progress depends on the frequency of experience with nature. Physical disconnection from the environments in which we evolved in may be having a detrimental impact on our emotional well-being as exposure to nature is associated with increased happiness (Berman et al., 2008, 2012; Mayer et al., 2009; Nisbet and Zelenski, 2011; MacKerron and Mourato, 2013; White et al., 2013).

The reality of our modern life is we no longer live in close association with nature, but in largely human constructed settings. In the city of Johor Bahru, Malaysia, where city settlers run their day in mundane and unhealthy environment, they are prone to psychological stress that may exerted from their daily demand. City settlers typically opt for an escape to heal themselves. The traditional model of healing environment where people is brought out of the city to rural setting as a mean of temporary escape from negative distractions in the city. The disengagement of people from physical complexity and senses of urban setting will only set a distance between themselves from the city and their daily life in the city, and the healing effect may temporary work, or they may crave for more. This method can be reversed, by injecting biophilic design approach, a medium to translate humans affection and inclination towards nature and living things into the environment to enhance the environment that we live in. By reversing the method through biophilic design approach in the city, they will be able to have psychological attachment to the nature and have the opportunity to regularly rejuvenate their emotion and well-being in their vicinity, thus creating an emotionally and psychologically healthy community.

Project description

Biophilic design approach can be vast to begin with, therefore there is a need of established framework to assist a successful implementation of the approach for city users psychological restoration in the city. There is eight exploration of biophilic design strategies applied throughout the design based on framework designed by Browning and Calabrese (2014), supported by empirical evidence and work of previous researches done by scholars.

1) Visual connection with nature:
Visual experience of nature at every level of the facility through interweave of vegetation that blurs the indoor and outdoor boundaries. Having a minimum 5 minutes visual connection with nature upon entrance will have a positive impact on mood and self esteem of the building users.

2) Dynamic and diffuse light
Series of pattern in rooftop pool and fractal pattern of building facade allows light to beam in and diffuse to main atrium, creating variation of rhythm of light during the day. Diffuse lighting from penetrating from the facade provides a calm backdrop to the space, creating a pleasing visual environment.

3) Refuge
Semi enclosed modular refuges are designed for public spaces where visitors are allowed to rest and relax in between activities and for private use in spa and massage treatment area.

4) Risk/Peril
Resting pods are cantilevered at the main atrium, for short term exposure in between activities to support positive experiences that result in strong dopamine or pleasure responses

5) Non-visual connection with nature
Human senses-themed is reflected through transitional and common spaces. These spaced are design based on sensory theme, where 'gustatory' (sense of taste) and 'olfactory' (sense of smell) are located in smaller atrium complement to nutritional class and cafeteria; and 'tactile' is portrayed to the concept of bare foot spa on first level, where visitor will directly experience the texture and material used throughout the space.

6) Presence of water
Enhances the experience of a place in a manner that is soothing, prompts
contemplation, enhances mood, and provides restoration from cognitive fatigue. This is achieved through visual experience where aquatic pond to be visible upon entrance to provide a serene ambiance, auditory experience, where water cascade and water fall feature at each atrium to provide natural sound of water; and tactile experience where water can be experienced by touch through activities such as fish spa treatment and thermal bathing.

7) Complexity and order
Complexity and order is achieved through spatial planning and geometrical characteristics similar to those encountered in nature. Symmetrical planning and building massing as part of the strategy will provide balance and stability perceived by the eyes,to ease navigation and orientation for building users.
Exploration of triangular fractal geometry pattern with iteration of three visible is applied in therapy spaces to engender positive psychological response.

8) Material connection with nature
Glulaminated timber are widely use for diagrid structural system reflected on the building facade while post and beam structures are cladded with timber to uniform the finish look to achieve minimum 45% coverage of wood where it will able to provide “comfortable” feeling, exhibited significant decreases in diastolic blood pressure.

Technical information

The proposed building is designed in 11 x 11 meters grid using post and beam construction, supported by glulaminated timber diagrid structural system on the outer skin to support cantilevered structured as well as providing natural aesthetic value through the usage of natural material. The building envelope reflects the aesthetic of fractal geometry pattern where the modularity allows for easier maintenance. Irrigation and piping system for vegetation is layered based on the grids for maintenance purpose.