LOST FRAGMENTS A THERAPY CENTER TO COPE WITH GRIEF IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
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LOST FRA
A Therapy Center to Richmond
Thesis submitted to the faculty of Virginia Poly fulfillment of the requirem
Master of A in Archite
James R
Ch
Shelley F
Commitee
David D
Commitee
13th Ma Blacksb
Keyw Therapy Center, Grief, E
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o cope with grief in d, Virginia.
ytechnic Institute and State University in partial ments for the degree of
Architecture n ecture
R. Jones
hair
F. Martin
e Member
Dugas
e Member
ay, 2019 burg, VA
words Emotion, Design Process
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ABSTR
An exploration began to understand the relation emotion. Inspired by a personal story of loss, th of the Elizabeth KĂźbler Ross model of grief. Eac architectural elements that relate to every stage a mood and quality of the spaces that were dire material.
As the project began to evolve, a series of ques practices, and placemaking followed and with e constant decision-making, was influenced by s methodology specific to a particular site.
This thesis presents a case to look at architectu endeavors to define and explore elements of ar impact on human emotion.
RACT
nship between architecture and human his thesis began to disseminate the five stages ch of the stages was studied in depth to find e. Furthermore, the elements helped establish ectly associated with program, light, and
stions of architectural sequence, material every step, a decision was to be made. This sets of conditions and contexts resulting in a
ure through a qualitative design process. It rchitecture to create an experience, that has
ACKNOWLE
To my parents, my sister, and brother-in-law for To my neighbors-my extended family, who have My thesis committee for their invaluable guidan To Jim, for being a source of knowledge and ins To Shelley, for her invaluable insights and for alw To Dave, for recognising my interests and push
EDGEMENT
their unconditional love and support. e loved me like their own. nce and support throughout this journey. spiration. ways believing in me. hing me to pursue them.
TABLE OF C
1. Introduction an
2. Elisabeth Kubler-R 3. Room
4. Location & - Locati - Site D - Stage D
5. Project - Site - First Flo - Second F - Sec - Elements Axono - Stage and Pro
6. Denial - M - Pl - Sky - Sec - Memory W - Vi
7. Depression - Lig - Pl - Sky - Sec - Mud Pi - Vi
8. Bargaining and Acceptan - Pl - Sky - Sec - Skyligh - Vi
9. Conc
10. Refe
CONTENTS
nd Methodology
Ross Model Of Grief Collages
Site Analysis ion Plan Diagram Diagram
Drawings e Plan oor Plan Floor Plan ctions ometric Drawing ogram Diagram
Memory Wall lan ylight ction Wall Details iew
ght Well & Mud Pit lan ylight ction it Details iew
nce - Skylight & Facade Fins lan ylight ction ht Details iew
clusion
erences
INTRODU
I was born and brought up in Mumbai, India. Living in a city me to be close to my neighbors. The physical proximity allo bond with one another. Over the years, I became extremely c me ever since
When I grew older, they told me that they had lost their only impact on them and the fear of losing someone they loved understand why they were so attached to
This got me thinking of how bereaved families cope with understand the process of grieving and study how architec part of life but losing a child is unfathomable. The therapy reminisce of their young one, understand their em
METHOD
I. Understanding th - De - An - Barg - Depre - Accep
II. Ske - Indoor/ Out - Lig - Architectur
III. Room - De - An - Barg - Depre - Accep
IV. Site Selection - Non - Tre - Wa - Vi - Urban
V. Design of Spa - Space I ( - Space II - Space III - Space IV (S
VI. Detailing Architectural Ele - Space I (M - Space II ( - Space III - Space IV
VII. Con
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y and as a part of a culturally close-knit community allowed owed our families to interdepend and develop an emotional close to one of my neighbors, an old couple who looked after e I was born.
child in a fatal car accident. This loss had a great emotional d never allowed them to be parents again. This made me o me. To them, I was like their own child.
h grief. This thesis was the perfect opportunity for me to cture can help in the healing process. Death is an inevitable y center designed allows bereaved families and friends to motions and finally help them cope with their loss.
DOLOGY
he 5 Stages of Grief enial nger gaining ession ptance
etches tdoor Space ght ral Elements
Collages enial nger gaining ession ptance
Architectural Elements ees ater iew Context
aces - Program ( Stage 1) (Stage 2) I (Stage 4) Stage 3 & 5)
ements - Mood & Ambience Memory Wall) (Staircase) I (Mud Pit) V (Skylight)
nclusion
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I. ELISABETH KÜBLER-R
DENIAL
ANGER
BARGA
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ROSS MODEL OF GRIEF
AINING
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DEPRESSION
ACCEPTANCE
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STAG
DEN
Denial is the first reaction a person has when one ha loss makes one feel overwhelmed, and life seems to others around them that the event has not occurred o a false reality surrounding the event. In this state of c about their lives without the person they have lost. Th emotion is understood and accepted, one unknowing strong emotions seem to fade away, but the feelings
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GE I
NIAL
as lost a loved one. In this stage, the shock of the o be meaningless. One tries to convince oneself or or is just a temporary illusion. One tries to create confusion, one is unsure of how they would go his stage helps to pace feelings of grief. Once this gly begins the healing process. In the denial stage, of loss begin to resurface.
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STAG
ANG
Anger is the second stage of grief. It is a necessary starts to kick in, feelings of anger begin to arise. Whe the event cannot continue, they begin to feel frustrate people around them. It is common to think, “Why me this stage. One needs to be willing to feel the pain an embraces it, the faster it is to overcome it. Anger bec structure under the big heap of human emotions.
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GE II
GER
part of the healing process. Once the ‘actual’ reality en the individual begins to realize that denying ed with the situation, with themselves and with the e?” “What am I going to do?” “Life is so unfair” in nd the anger associated at this point. The more one comes a strength, an anchor that gives a temporary
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STAG
BARGA
The third stage of grief is bargaining. In this stage th comprise with the higher power. This is usually done from the painful reality. The individual starts to believ differently to help save the one they lost. The main ca tries to blame himself for the loss. It is a way of seeki is a complex emotion and usually experienced for a
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GE III
AINING
he individual tries to seek hope by striking a e to avoid the cause of grief to protect oneself ve that there was something they could have done ause of this reaction is guilt where the individual ing false hope and avoid grief by negotiating. This short time for lesser traumatic experience.
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STAG
DEPRE
Depression immediately follows bargaining. The indi loved one is no longer with them. Depression is a sta People believe that it is something you feel almost in stage the individual withdraws from their daily activit contact and lose or increase their appetite. There is a to move on. At this stage, the individual feels the dee necessary steps in grief that helps to recover and he
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GE IV
ESSION
ividual is on their way to accepting the fact the their ate of mind that is the most accepted form of grief. nstantly when you have lost a loved one. In this ties and routines, seclude themselves, avoid social a loss of hope and a struggle to find motivation epest levels of grief. Depression is one of the eel from the loss.
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STAG
ACCEP
Acceptance is the last stage of grief. The common m feels okay during this stage. During this stage, the lo Depending on the individual and their circumstances In this stage, they should try to move on with their liv pursue the life they were living before the loss they s increases over time while the individual is fully embra
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GE V
PTANCE
misconception associated with the stage is that one oss of a loved one is finally accepted as a reality. s the time they take to finally accept the loss varies. ves without their loved one. Instead of trying to should try to readjust. The degree of acceptance acing the reality.
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ROOM CO
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OLLAGES
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STAGE I ARCHITECTURAL ELEM
The architectural element that is associated with denial, entrance to the therapy center as the initial stage of grief an reality. The memory wall is a physical component that recalls person is invited to interact with the memory
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- DENIAL MENT - MEMORY WALL
the first stage of grief is a memory wall. Denial marks an nd recovery. At this stage the individual refuses to believe in s their happy memories associated with their loved one. Each wall while reminiscing about their loved one.
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STAGE II ARCHITECTURAL ELE
Once the feeling of denial subsides, anger seems to rise. T staircase that leads the individual or a group to various the that helps release anger by walking or running. The walk t emotions. One of the most common colors associated with an glass railing that would have a calming e
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I ANGER EMENT - SPIRAL STAIR
This is the second stage of grief and is denoted by a spiral erapy session rooms. The stair represents a mode of being to this stage provides the required space to process one’s nger is red, in contrast the stair would be bounded by a blue effect on the visitor as they use the stair.
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STAGE III BA ARCHITECTURAL ELE
The architectural condition that is associated with the third s that would give a fragmented view towards the water. Bargai A broken view to the outside represen
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ARGAINING EMENT - FACADE FINS
stage of grief, bargaining includes vertical facade elements ining is a stage where the individual tries to negotiate reality. nts this negotiation alongside a library.
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STAGE IV - D ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT - DEP
A recessed well along with a mud pit represent the fourth sta source of light through a skylight. This would force the viewe Below the light well would be a mud pit which is intended to e This space would allow the users to either be alone or s
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DEPRESSION PRESSION LIGHT WELL & MUD PIT
age of the grieving process. A closed room with only a single er to look above in a way to remind them that there is hope. evoke memories from one’s childhood and playing outdoors. socialise in an adjacent cafe or activity rooms next to it.
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STAGE V AC ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT - R
As the last stage of grief and a step towards healing, accep refractive glass produces the desired natural effect of a rain The rainbow acts a reminder that tomorrow is
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CCEPTANCE REFRACTIVE GLASS SKYLIGHT
ptance is represented by a rainbow effect. A skylight with a nbow. It will inspire visitors to have hope to live for tomorrow. s clear with a clear view of the water outside.
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LOCATION & S
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SITE ANALYSIS
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LOCATION PLAN
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SITE DIAGRAM
STEP 1
STE
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EP 2
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STEP 3
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STAGE DIAGRAM
STAGE I
STAGE II
STAG
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STAGE IV
STAGE V
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PROJECT D
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DRAWINGS
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SITE PLAN
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0 2M 4M
8M
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FIRST FLOOR PLAN
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0
2M
4M
8M
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SECOND FLOOR PLAN
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0
2M
4M
8M
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SECTION A
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SECTION B
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ELEMENTS AXONOMETRIC DRAWING
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Depression Light Well & Mud Pit (Stage IV) Memory Wall (Stage I) Refractive Glass Skylight (Stage V) Spiral Stair (Stage II) Facade Fins (Stage III)
Roof
Second Floor
First Floor
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PROGRAM DIAGRAM
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OUTDOOR DECK AREA
CORR
WAITING AREA
MAIN O
STAGE I
GROUP ACTIVITY ROOMS STAGE IV
STAG
LIGHT WELL ROOM STAGE IV
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THERAPY ROOMS
RIDOR
STAGE II
OFFICE
GREEN ROOF
GE I
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LIBRARY STAGE III
CAFE
STAGE IV
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DEN ARCHITECTURAL ELEM
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DENIAL PLAN
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0 .25M .50M
1M
2M
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DENIAL SKYLIGHT
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0 .25M .50M
1M
2M
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DENIAL SECTION
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DENIAL MEMORY WALL DETAILS
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DEPRE ARCHITECTURAL ELE MUD
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DEPRESSION PLAN
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0 .25M .50M
1M
2M
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DEPRESSION SKYLIGHT SPACE II SKYLIGHT
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0 .25M .50M
1M
2M
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DEPRESSION SECTION
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DEPRESSION MUDPIT DETAILS SPACE II PLAN
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BARGAINING & ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT SKYL
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& ACCEPTANCE FACADE FINS & REFRACTIVE LIGHT
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BARGAINING & ACCEPTANCE PLAN
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0 .25M .50M
1M
2M
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BARGAINING & ACCEPTANCE SKYLIGHT
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0 .25M .50M
1M
2M
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BARGAINING & ACCEPTANCE SECTION
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BARGAINING & ACCEPTANCE SKYLIGHT DETAILS
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CONCL
This thesis allowed me to reflect on my own process of desig building but also elements that the building comprises. It was design that has the ability to impact human emotion by creati
The idea of amalgamating architectural and non-architectura component to create a sense of place. They are elements tha
This thesis sets a larger role in the impact architecture has on represented in this thesis sets a path for future opportunities various contexts and regions.
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gn. It allowed me to think about architecture in terms of a s an attempt to engage the non-architectural elements into a ing an overall experience for the user.
al elements was explored beyond just being a physical at are deeply rooted within a particular context or region.
n one’s state of being. The idea of elements and processes for therapy centers to adapt to help cope with grief in
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REFERE
- On Grief and Grieving; David Kessler and Elisabeth Kübler-Ros - Thinking Architecture; Peter Zumthor; Birkhäuser Architecture; - Atmospheres; Peter Zumthor; Birkhäuser Architecture; 5th editi - Parallax; Steven Holl; Princeton Architectural Press; 2nd edition - Tadao Ando - Details 3; Yukio Futagawa; A.D.A. Edita (May 31, - Tadao Ando - Details 1; A.D.A. Edita; Shohan edition (1991)
All images and drawings are works of the Author unless noted ot
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ss; Scribner; Reprint edition (June 5, 2007) 3rd edition (June 21, 2010) ion (March 17, 2006) n (November 1, 2000) , 2003)
therwise
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