ELEVATE HEALTH + WELLNESS CENTER

clara hetherington, shelby warrick, riley jarosz, edgar roman

Research shows that nature improves psychological well-being, Through healingbased design and the integration of nature, this site focuses on upholding the health and wellbeing of UNMC students and staff. This project called for a clinic with a health and wellness center to be utilized as part of the UNMC campus in Omaha. Placement of this program is incredibly important as it aims to attract students and staff, while also breaking down the stigma of seeing counselors or therapists to promote mental health. After site research was conducted, we began to understand how critical the Student Life Center is as a point of interaction and circulation for students and staff. Our team decided to place our new clinic program on top of this existing building, as we noticed this structure’s desire to be re-worked into a more modern and exciting central hub. Through our efforts to revitalize, we intend to create a safe space for students and staff to receive any health services they may need in in private. Iterative studies of form led us to the development of a unique and organic building form that promotes mental health and wellbeing through organic circulation paths, biophilia, and direct access to health services in private and more public settings. This space will also contribute to student and staff well-being through the implementation of a rooftop garden to encourage interaction and offer time and space to unwind from everyday life.