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The prime inspiration for the direction of this thesis project is an interest on how as architects, we can change people’s mental health by designing spaces to improve it. Many discussions have been held on how mental health has been worse over the past year. Glasgow has a history of bad mental health around its neighbourhoods. By researching Glasgow’s mental health as well as the reasons of those statistics, will help design spaces to improve people’s lifestyle and the urgencies Glasgow and many parts of the world are facing. This thesis aims to address the mental health issues that during this pandemic has worsen. Lockdown self-isolation and not being able to meet friends and family have been some of the factors. The big changes we are suffering in the world are affecting at a big scale deprived neighbourhoods there are not enough jobs, poor lifestyle and not many places to disconnect. By creating places where people can disconnect from the “new normal” we are living in. Places they can reflect and connect with themselves. But also places people can learn new skills and can contribute to create a community economy, as well as making themselves more healthy. Gardening is one of the ways to improve physical and mental health; bike lanes, community gardens, spaces for mental and physical improvement can also be some of the new developments. There are endless possibilities if people are giving the chance to develop them.
