Renewal
A sanctuary for women’s health An adaptive reuse project located in Cincinnati, Ohio
Sarah Moeller University of Cincinnati INTD Capstone | Spring 2021 sarahmoellerinteriordesign.com
The
Introduction
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What is it?
Renewal is a health center designed with women in mind. Our mission is to provide an environment where women can feel confident & comfortable addressing both mind & body.
photo from unsplash.com
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How did this idea come about?
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What sparked this project was the dramatic increase in abuse, specifically among women, that arose as COVID emerged. Suddenly, the news and media were bombarded with stories about the violence occurring across the country. Thousands of women were stuck in their homes with nowhere to go. Hence, abusers had even more opportunity to manipulate, injure, and violate their victims.
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What is the problem? After researching the abuse among women, findings reported that countless victims forgo medical treatment and aid. It doesn’t stop there. Many women, even those not suffering from abuse, avoid visiting healthcare facilities as well. The underlying problem? Studies show that there is a large amount of judgment and discrimination against women that lies within healthcare. On many occasions, both abused and non-abused women felt that their providers judged, misunderstood, and undermined them.
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The
Goal
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What is the goal? The goal of this capstone is to serve women suffering from abuse and women who feel neglected in healthcare settings. It promotes a woman to woman interaction and offers an environment where the provider and patient can truly connect. Women should feel comfortable and supported in healthcare environments.
photo from unsplash.com
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How might we make women’s healthcare experiences something to look forward to? Too many women avoid doctor visits & health check-ups in fear of judgment. It’s time to prioritize our health and make the experience something to look forward to. Say goodbye to the fear, nervousness, and stress. Say hello to becoming one step closer to being the best & healthiest version of you!
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In a recent literature review, “The Girl Who Cried Pain: A Bias Against Women in the Treatment of Pain,” studies suggest that: 1. women are more likely than men to be undertreated or inappropriately diagnosed when treated for their pain 2. women are more likely to be given sedatives for their pain and men given pain medication 3. women are systematically treated less aggressively than men for their pain & their pain complaints are often written off as emotional responses. Several authors attribute this to “a long history within our culture of regarding women’s reasoning capacity as limited”
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Intimate Partner Violence
Statistics
1/3 85% 20 of American women will experience IPV
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of IPV victims are female
people per minute physically abused by an intimate partner
Gender Discrimination
Statistics
83% 52% 25% In a survey of 2,400 women in
In a survey by Today,
In a survey by Today,
said said they they experienced experienced gender gender discrimination discrimination from from a a provider provider
of of women women say say that that gender gender discrimination discrimination is is a a serious serious problem problem in in healthcare healthcare
of of women women said said a a provider provider ignored ignored or or dismissed dismissed their their symptoms symptoms
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The Issues
The
Background
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Intimate Partner Violence
Gender Discrimination
what is it?
what is it?
physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse
unequal or disadvantageous treatment of an individual or group of individuals based on gender
The Users
The Insights Establish a community and promote connection between provider & patient
Young & Old Women Stacy | 21 Young woman looking for a reliable doctor and wants to attend weekly therapy sessions.
Abused Women Jasmine | 25 Young mother looking to escape her abusive spouse and take their two children with her. Needs medical aid.
Female Healthcare Providers Susan | 53
Children
Previous victim looking to support other women through her role as a nurse.
Daughter of an abused woman. She is seeking comfort and safety that cannot be found in the home.
Nia | 4
Address family, many victims have children to take into account
Utilize caretakers who understand & empathize with their patients
Educate children on what it means to be healthy & strong while also making sure they feel safe and comfortable in the environment
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The Building 1801 Elm Street SCOPE | 22,000 sq. ft, 4 floors BUILT | 1885 NEIGHBORHOOD | OTR ACCESS | easy access to transportation, popular area to walk around STRENGTHS | daylight, multi-story, close to various women centers downtown, popular & family focused area
Demographics OTROTR Demographics Population 5, 763
Median Household Income $44, 528.00
Median Age 31.4
Housing Units 1,564
OTR Demographics & IPV Statistics
The Users
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N
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The
Process
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During our first few weeks, we created these diagrams as a way of pushing the boundary of existing space. We have diagrams from an original, self directed set, and diagrams inspired by the Richard Serra verb list. These diagrams enabled us to better understand our own unique spaces and forms. After creating my diagrams, I focused my efforts on the idea of weaving and marking space. You will see those concepts play a role throughout the design later on.
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The
First Floor
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The first floor is home to some key areas. In the front, we have a retail space. The idea behind this is to offer a variety of health & wellness products that can really make a woman feel like they’re indulging in themselves. Plus, the retail aspect fits in great with the heavy retail based location. Moving along, there is also a cafe. This enables women to stop in between appointments, for a quick meeting with their doctor, or to simply talk with other women.
Main Highlights Cafe & Retail
Floor Plan
Main Highlight Examination Rooms
Floor Plan
The second floor focuses on examinations. There are both examination rooms, as well as sterilization rooms for tests and blood work. Having the two near each other makes the process of examining and diagnosing much more swift and fluid. Here you can begin to see this idea of weaving throughout, as the areas are separated but still connected by the corridor.
The
Second Floor
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The
The third floor focuses on check-up visits and therapy. These are rooms designated for conversation and one and one support. Again, you can see the weaving element leading you throughout the space. In addition, this floor is also home to spaces designated for the employees. It makes their movement from check-up to office swift and easy, making the most of their time.
Main Highlight Therapy & Consultation Rooms
Third Floor
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Floor Plan
Main Highlight Daycare
Floor Plan
The fourth floor is designated for the daycare. A daycare was necessary in this design because many victims’ stories had to take into account children. Finding a place for them to go can be extremely difficult at times, so adding that in house addition will take some of the worries away from mothers coming in. Also, by taking into account children we can also aid in helping many of them through the struggles of witnessing abuse.
The
Fourth Floor
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Transverse Section
Longitudinal Section
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The
Perspectives
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The goal for the interior was to create spaces that really welcome users in and make them want to stay. The whole idea is for this center to become a place where women actively want to go and feel comfortable coming to. We’ve all been to the dark, dreary doctors offices that make us uncomfortable and want to leave as soon as we step in and these interiors work to eliminate that feeling. We all need to take care of ourselves before we can take care of anyone else, so prioritizing and working towards improving our health is incredibly important. Doing so starts here.
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The
Entry The entry is the first area of engagement for the overall experience. The bright, lush green wall promotes the feeling of serenity and the warm materials wrap the guest in comfort. Here guests can check-in for appointments as well as ask questions, gather information, and get a tour of the center.
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The
Shop The retail area is a second means of entry into the center. The idea here is to encourage women to indulge in themselves and their bodies. Various health & wellness products are displayed throughout the walls. Depending on the various speakers & seminars that occur in the center, presenters can use the shop to promote their books, products, etc. It gives an opportunity to support these female presenters.
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The
Cafe The cafe serves as a community focused area, with warm materials and soft tones to establish a place where you want to stay awhile. Here, users can stop in for a quick coffee in between appointments, have a casual meet up with their doctor, or simply just sit and connect with other women visiting the center.
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The
Lobby The lobby is the grand entrance space that really welcomes users in. The green wall from the entry continues, creating a feeling of serenity and calmness. The ceiling element plays a large role in this double height space. Not only does it produce a vast amount of light, it also instills a level of depth and form.
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The
Circulation The circulation area allows users to move between examination rooms and beyond. It becomes an area of interest for the user in an area that would normally not be associated with such a feeling. Here you can see the ceiling element more clearly in its double height setting. The surrounding materials are kept minimal in order to maintain the focus on the ceiling and the quality of light coming from it.
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The Examination Room The examination room works to soothe users and make them feel comfortable during the experience. Pastel tones and warm woods create a calm, relaxing setting with natural graphics to mimic a serene atmosphere. It works against the dark and plain offices that many of us see when visiting the doctor.
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Renewal
A sanctuary for women’s health An adaptive reuse project located in Cincinnati, Ohio
Thank you.
Sarah Moeller University of Cincinnati INTD Capstone | Spring 2021 sarahmoellerinteriordesign.com