Reiki Healing & Meditation Center Capstone Research + Programming Book
Giana Castelli
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Contents chapter one
project goals and objectives
05
chapter two
historiography and contemporary context
13
chapter three
case studies
19
chapter four
ergonomic and technical criteria
63
chapter five
topical exploration
73
chapter six
existing site, context, climate, and zoning
81
chapter seven
program development and documentation
91
chapter eight
building analysis, code regulations, and standards
99
chapter nine
project summary
109
endnotes + bibliography
112
appendix + dedications
119
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SECTION ONE
Project Goals and Objectives A reiki healing and meditation center is a relaxing, immersive getaway that will heal the mind, body, and souls of stressed city-goers. Both reiki healing and meditation cleanse and heal one’s energy, aid in self-improvement, and ultimately reduce stress. Reiki is a Japanese, nondrug treatment of healing through the “laying on of hands” that balances and harmonizes the body’s energy flow.1 Through reiki and/or meditation sessions, users are educated in holistic methods of stress relief and encouraged to worry more about personal and mental health. If stress goes untreated or cleansed, it can lead to: mental illness, coronary heart disease, certain types of cancer, migraines, stomach ulcers, minor allergies, and even addiction to alcohol or drugs.2 To avoid these ailments and best accommodate Philadelphia’s stressed employees, the center’s classes are offered before and after typical work hours, and during lunch hours.
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General Design Goals
Research Goals & Methods
The center's main goal is to aid strained men and women in stress relief, as well as educating them in reiki and meditation practices. Philadelphia county local and commuter workers are given the chance to heal their mind, bodies, and souls while preventing disease and ailments.3 The space creates an immersive experience that feels like a zen getaway from the urban chaos of the city. An interior park separates the main meditation and reiki spaces from the entry, acting as a transition space. The interior park makes users truly feel like they have left the city and are ready to decompress and unwind in the center.
To create a building that achieves said design goals, extensive research on must be done on reiki and meditation. Interviews will be conducted with practicing reiki masters and psychic mediums, Tanja Wampler and Sharon O’brien. These women own and run a healing center, The Unity Healing House, making the interviews and their information a reputable primary source.Through these interviews one can gather and understand how therapy rooms must be organized and what each space requires. General research on stress relief will be done as well regarding color psychology, natural light, plants, etc.
The Role of the Designer The main objective of an interior designer is to create an efficient, built-to-code, and aesthetically pleasing dwelling. Another key role of interior designers is to create a space with minimal waste that will have a direct and indirect impact on the space’s users. According to international organization, The Reiki Alliance, a full reiki session will span from 60 to 90 minutes; so a designer must create a space that users will want to spend that amount of time in.4 As said before, a designer’s goal is to form dwellings in which people feel comfortable enough to stay a while. This may be executed by creating a spa-like experience; Things like salt therapy rooms, floating rooms, and tea bars are perfect examples of what can keep a user happy and encouraged to dwell.
Sustainability Objectives Because our world’s environmental health is so atrocious and uncared for, it is important that designers and architects create spaces that are environmentally conscious and sustainable. The reiki healing and meditation center begins its sustainable journey from the beginning; the building is existing, making it an adaptive reuse project. To achieve the utmost sustainable practices, wasted lighting, energy, water, and heating and cooling systems will be assessed. Things like natural light, operable windows, a green interior park, low-flow plumbing, daylight sensors, movement sensors, rain cisterns, rain gardens, solar panels, and geothermal heating and cooling will be utilized.
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Client
Users
The client for this center will be the International Association of Reiki Professionals, the IARP; it is the global association for reiki practitioners, reiki masters, and general practitioners who include reiki in their practice.5 The IARP will have ownership of the space and employ reiki masters involved in their organization.
The space’s primary users are stressed men and women ranging from ages fifteen to eighty living or working in the Philadelphia area. These men and women will suffer from stress and/or anxiety, unbalanced chakras, or spiritual centers of the body, according to Indian religions, or suffer from general stress.6 According to studies, current city dwellers have an increased risk for anxiety disorders by 21%, and mood disorders by 39%, compared to those living in rural areas or suburbs. Aside from stressed workers and students, users who practice mindfulness or meditation regularly will enjoy the space as well. The center’s public users will use its salt room, meditation rooms, reiki therapy rooms, and locker space. For users who are not comfortable with reiki healing or group meditation, private meditation rooms will be available. The center’s employees require an employee lounge, a private locker space. The users’ needs will impact the space’s design objectives by requiring numerous private meditation rooms and vast transition space between the main entrance and meditation rooms.
Socio-Economic Conditions The reiki healing and meditation center is designed for middle to upper class income groups who live and/or work in the Philadelphia area. As stated before, stressed workers need an outlet to remove themselves from the chaos of daily life and work. Those who reside or work in urban cities are more likely to be diagnosed with mental disorders as well.7 Since the center’s intended users hail from middle and upper classes, finishes and materials match what an upper to middle class home may use. Most of the budget will go towards comfortable furniture, finishes, and materials, while the rest will go to the construction and maintenance of the interior park.
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Demographics
Conclusion
This center will be used by students and employees of Center City, Philadelphia. Philadelphia County of Pennsylvania has a population of about 1,600,000 with almost 60%, or 900,000 people, of this population employed in the civilian labor force.8 Philadelphia County houses 20 colleges and universities, about 104,000 businesses and firms, eleven hospitals, two Amtrak stations, and two airports. Center City is the hub of the county containing its largest financial, government, and cultural attractions.9 The reiki healing and meditation center is a lively and appropriate addition to the diverse city.
Practicing meditation has been proven to reduce anxiety and depression, increase positive attitudes, create an emotional stability within, increase one’s confidence and acceptance, and even take place of therapy and medicine. Pain such as: ulcers, substance abuse, high blood pressure, arthritis, migraines, and various neurological disorders. There are no known side effects to the practice of meditation or reiki, so why not educate everyone about it? 10
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Potala Palace, Tibet, 1959
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SECTION TWO Historiography
There is no approximate date for the origin of meditation or meditation temples, but scholars can accurately assume that it was between 5,000 BCE and 3,500 BCE. The uncovering of wall art depicting meditation in the Indus Valley tells archaeologists that the practice most likely originated from Indian Buddhism, although it has been found throughout Hinduism, Christian, Sikhism and Islam traditions as well. 1 Meditation is a practice that can be done virtually anywhere, but in ancient Buddhist Southeast Asia, it was practiced in temples. Each region of Asia has different styles and deviations, but general Buddhist temple data can be taken from Lhasa, Tibet, the Buddhist capital of Asia. Typical meditation temples of the East contain a formal shrine meant only for monks, called a sanctum, and assembly hall(s) for groups of meditators. 2 The temples, as well as their sites and landscapes, were designed in sacred geometries such a hexagons, circles, and sometimes triangular prisms. 3 In the modern world, temples have inspired the construction of meditation centers, considered a new “modern phenomenon�.4
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Eastern Meditation & Temples
Western Meditation & Modernity
Typical architectural features of ancient Lhasa temples include: a portico, an assembly hall, sitting rooms for monks, skylights, external service room, and a formal shrine or sanctum. In assembly halls, long rows of cushions between pillars and elevated levels were built to show importance of whom was sitting on it. The assembly hall is the largest space and open for prayer, offerings, teachings, rituals, and festivals. A large central skylight illuminates assembly halls held up with tall pillars; the halls have the greatest ceiling heights. 5
The first established retreat meditation center in America, The Vipassana Meditation Center, is found on 108 acres and contains a bathhouse, two dining rooms, meditation hall fitting 200, a pagoda, separate residences for men and women and a manager’s house. The center began as a small two-story home that fit no more than 25 meditators and students. Demand had increased and it now fits up to 140 and offers classes and retreats to children and teenagers. The wand its precedents are relevant to my project because it provides information on concept and design purpose, beneficial spatial and construction plans, and most importantly, spaces that users require. 7
Lhasa temple construction consisted of internal timber frame, and juniper wood sued in the inner chapels and sanctums. Walls are built of rubble masonry and mud mortar joints. Roofs are flat, constructed with layers of pebbles and mud then waterproofed. Stone walls are left visible, but mud brick interior walls are plastered, smoothed, and polished and often covered in murals. They were built using a basic module consisting of a pillar and a beam, with an average measure 2.2 meters between each module. Sanctums and protector chapels are typically painted maroon while the public areas like assembly halls are typically whitewashed; according to Asian Buddhism, red and ochre are considered sacred colors. 6
In the future, it is logical to predict an influx in meditation centers across the globe. The centers will become more normalized as yoga studios have, and will be more incorporated into daily life like meditation in the Eastern world. Meditation studios as well as individual practice should be more widespread to decrease stress and increase mindfulness and zen. In today’s meditation centers, natural light is typically favored over artificial light. Adjustable artificial lights on dimmers are important if a meditation class requires
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darkness for pondering, but natural light makes users feel more connected oneself. Many projects featured on ArchDaily employ methods to avoid glare and direct light that may bother users. Methods such as fuzzy screens, courtyards surrounding meditation rooms, floor level windows, small skylights, and zenithal windows have been done. In most projects, natural lighting is used with warm artificial lighting when needed. 8 Modern meditation centers, or the West’s derivative of temples, are designed to feel like retreats and stem from the globalization of both Buddhism and general meditation practices.9 Their spatial plans are similar to Buddhist temples in that they have a main assembly-like space with adjacent support rooms. This main space is central, free open plan with the largest ceiling height of the building. These modern centers are mostly marketed towards middle and upper class users from suburban and urban environments. Though the centers are designed for both men and women, women use these services more often. Religion and race are not directly associated with meditation centers, but many converted Buddhists and Hindus do attend because of the relation of meditative practices. The socio-economic and demographic conditions of modern meditation centers have impacted the spa-like experiences of the spaces and additional luxurious services like floating rooms, saunas, jacuzzis, yoga, massages, himalayan salt rooms,
and even swimming pools.10 These conditions have also caused an influx of meditation retreat centers in which 10-day or 60-day meditation excursions are offered.11 Due to the targeted socio-economic and demographic conditions, the budget is quite high. The reiki healing and meditation center will have intricate structures inside the building shell along with high-quality materials, furniture, fixtures, and equipment. The center will also have luxurious amenities such as a salt room and possibly a floating room. A floating room is essentially a pool of water large enough for a body and about 12 inches deep. Its water is doused with 900 to 1,300 pounds of epsom salt until it dissolves to create a “weightless” effect on the user.12 Modern meditation centers do not require specific climatic conditions or physical contexts and can be constructed in most sites. The centers are constructed in rural, suburban, and urban sites and in all climates, tropical to temperate to cold. Ancient Buddhist temples, on the other hand, did require specific contexts but are found in a range of climates from hot and arid, like in India, to snowy and somewhat temperate, like in Tibet. Ancient Buddhist temples are built on hills and mountains, to illustrate their power, importance, and divinity. The mountains place temples closer to the heavens and offer geographical hierarchy amongst their sites’ small towns. 13
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SECTION THREE Case Studies
Researching and gathering qualitative and quantitative information from four case study buildings, with similar programs, will allow the Reiki Healing & Meditation Center to correct and fix mistakes. It will provide information to form a program foundation, and record observations about: sense of place, space, volume, form, flow, circulation, details, materiality, tectonics, furniture, lighting and more.
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Main Meditation Space
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View from Entry
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Case Study #1 l MNDFL Meditation Studio Overview & Design Style
Design Concept & Style
MNDFL is a 2,100 sq. ft. meditation center located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY. It was designed for owners Lodro Rinzler and Ellie Burrows by Shelley Sparks with a middle to high budget. MNDFL Williamsburg is relevant to the proposed reiki healing and meditation center because it is a meditation studio marketed to middle to upper class young adults. Its design and style is relevant because it is sleek yet homey with a monochromatic palette limiting distractions and overstimulation. The center is related to contemporary design issues because more and more designers find that users crave a dwelling place, not just a pit stop that they will spend an hour or less at. The owners, clients, and users of the space are typically the same group of individuals with similar interests, ages, and genders. The typical clients and users are aged from their early twenties to mid thirties with an equal distribution of male and female. Most users are from the area of Williamsburg or nearby in Brooklyn but many visitors do come in; many users are freelancers, artists, or students from nearby. About 3 employees, not including management, work during a typical shift and one meditation instructor will arrive for the upcoming session. The average number of users per class is fifteen, and the most popular class times are both before and after typical 9-5 work hours.
The style of the exterior is original to the building; thin charcoal gray brick on the lower level and thicker, more square gray bricks on the top two floors, used as apartments. The exterior is very minimal and monochromatic with no protrusions. The interior reflects the minimalism and smooth design of the exterior with similar materials, shapes, forms, and colors. The interior and exterior seem holistic and integrated with one another, mainly because the building was designed to be a yoga studio and its project needs were similar. The overall concept of the designer, Shelley Sparks, was to create a space reminiscent of home that created no distractions. The space’s floor plan consists of one floor with a slightly meandering circulation path. Its building organization is clear and direct with spaces going from the loudest to the most quiet; it is a clear distinction of public v. private. To help ease the transition of city to meditation center, there are meandering pathways and a transition hall between the entry and the meditation rooms. Hierarchy is most prevalent in the main meditation space as it is the largest and most open of the spaces, equipped with two skylights and a small outdoor space. Specific groupings and adjacencies are: lobby and retail, kitchenette and lounge, and main meditation room and private meditation room. As for MNDFL’s circulation, it is slightly
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exterior
fig. 5 site map
meandering and processional, with branching from a central path, refer to page 30 for diagrams. No formal wayfinding system is needed in the space because it is so open and everything is seen from the entry. The building’s construction is typical to row buildings with 2 load bearing walls and no interior columns. There was a renovation done on the space which took an 11’ deep by 12’ wide space from the row home next door. One of the load bearing walls underwent construction and an overhead beam was installed to take on the load. Detailing of construction systems are easy to understand, macrame detailed partitions are located in post and frame constructions near the entry, as well as an overhead “beam” detail near the lounge, refer to page 30 for diagrams. The space’s environmental system is a typical HVAC system with one control panel found in the general storage room. This system is successful for users because it heats/cools the entire space very quickly and efficiently as climate calls for it. MNDFL is sustainable through methods of skylights and daylighting, indoor plants and a moss wall, low flush toilets, and low-energyemitting artificial lighting. Artificial lighting is not used often in the space because of its abundance of daylight, whose placement is based on its south facing meditation room. The light disperses through at least three-quarters of the entire space, making reliance on artificial light low. While walking through the space, users can feel the holistic approach of its natural light and the placement of potted plants throughout. Design add-ons such as the moss wall, which are found in all MNDFL locations, seem like an afterthought to unknowing users of the company.
Site & Context MNDFL’s site is located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, an urban neighborhood full of middle to upper class young adults. Williamsburg is fast-advancing, post-industrial neighborhood with emerging restaurants, galleries, and unique shoppes in adaptive reuse factories and tenements. 1 The inhabitants are generally artistic people such as designers, freelancers, writers, etc. The site’s climate is temperate with four changing seasons, making the southwest facing meditation room a colorful view of summer sunsets and sunrises.
Interior Design Predominant finishes and materials include: gray slate tile, light wood, and brass. These materials are appropriate for MNDFL because they have a subtle presence that don’t create distraction. Brass finishes are used minimally, though they are noticeable and provide a bit of luxury that the raw materials require. The slate tile is found in every space except the meditation rooms and is heated for the cold winter New York months. None of the materials seem to be sustainable. The entry and lobby require cubby space and seating for users to put away their belongings and take off their shoes. The transition areas, the kitchenette and lounge, need ample seating for users waiting before or hanging around after class sessions. The kitchenette specifically needs space to store mugs, a dishwasher, a small fridge, an island, and seating for users. The space’s lounge consists of deep and comfortable seating for users to relax. The meditation rooms
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lobby
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lounge
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kitchenette
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require long, open spaces with cubby space for blankets and mats; cushions stay on the floor, as each user is assigned a specific one. The space utilizes its natural light to the fullest extent, but meditation rooms have lights on dimmers and two large statement pendants. Artificial lighting is found throughout the space and is used in the winter during morning sessions, and after sunset during night sessions. The natural lighting is extremely successful in the space because it makes users content, relaxed, and is almost always peeking through the skylights. Track lighting and recessed lights are in each space of MNDFL for necessity. All of the accessories and decorative elements in MNDFL adequately support the functional and psychological needs of the users. Macrame detailing from a locally known artist supports the space’s local users and artists in the area of Williamsburg. No formal art is displayed in the space, which is perfect for its minimalist style and its goal to decrease distractions. A moss wall element is incorporated in the kitchenette as well as various potted plants throughout the space to increase indoor air quality and an aesthetically pleasing space. The space’s lighting acted as both fixtures and decorative elements; each chandelier is polished brass, and all pendants near the entry are hung close together like an art installation.
Post Occupancy Survey According to users, the most positive things about MNDFL include: its natural light, its homey
feel, its no-shoes policy, its communal vibes, and its retail area. Each owner and teacher pick their favorite personal books and/or products and display them on shelves for purchase each month. Users called out negatives such as: sometimes there is not enough cubby space, the private meditation room is too small, and the bathroom is too close and too loud to be near the meditation rooms.
Evaluation Overall I find the space to be adequate, generally meeting its needs spatially. As far as the design and concept, I found it very appealing and it truly did feel like a space I could dwell in, like a home. Its natural light was sublime, and the frosted doors separating the meditation rooms and transition space amplified the light even more, reminiscent of glowing planes. The private meditation room was too small for users, although it was adequate for two to three people. Besides small space, MNDFL is a well designed and organized space.
Spaces, Rooms & Adjacencies Acoustics are generally successful in the space, but the meditation rooms do not have enough acoustical privacy and it is apparent when classes are in session. Employees have to be sure to be quiet in the lobby as classes are in session. When users flush the toilet, it can also be heard in the meditation rooms since it is so close to the their entries.
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load bearing walls
overhead beam
structural diagram
privacy diagram
daylight diagram
acoustics diagram
circulation diagram
hierarchy diagram
space
space
size (sq. ft)
lobby 150-200 retail space 20-30 kitchenette 130-150 lounge 110-120 corridor 60-70 bathroom 80 storage 200 private Matrix MNDFL Adjacency 70-80 meditation rm. main Lobby meditation rm. Retail Kitchenette Lounge Bathroom Private Meditation Rm. Main Meditation Rm. Corridor
privacy public public semi private semi private semi private public+private private private (for users)
500-600
quiet
private (for users)
quiet
Key: 1
2
3
Lobby & Retail Space Communal Transition Spaces Meditation Spaces Ancillary / Employee Spaces
Lobby & Retail Space Communal Transition Spaces
space
size (sq. ft)
Meditationlobby Spaces 150-200 retail space 20-30 Ancillary / Employee Spaces kitchenette 130-150 lounge 110-120 corridor 60-70 bathroom 80 storage 200 private 70-80 meditation rm.
main meditation rm.
500-600
privacy public public semi private semi private semi private public+private private private (for users) private (for users)
acoustics
size
lobby 150 retail space 20 kitchenette 130 lounge 110 corridor 60 bathroom 8 storage 2 private acoustics 70 meditation rm. moderate cubbi moderate main merch li 500 meditation rm. moderate tea b quiet/moderate comfort transit quiet/moderate moderate n/a
function
moderate moderate moderate quiet/moderate quiet/moderate moderate n/a
cubbies, seating, reception desk merch like: books, oils, bracelets, etc. tea bar, island, transition space comfortable seating, transition space transition space to meditation rms. ADA toilet room general storage
quiet
seating for 3
quiet
seating for 20, for meditation classes
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seating
Lobby Lounge
fig. 8
Retail
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Case Study #2 l Inscape Meditation Studio Overview & Design Style
Design Concept & Style
Inscape is a 5,000 sq. ft. meditation studio in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, New York. The space consists of one public plus a private basement space for corporate offices. It was designed by Winka Dubbeldam with a high budget for client and fashion designer, Khajak Keledjian It officially opened in 2016. Inscape is relevant to the proposed reiki healing and meditation center because it is a meditation studio marketed to middle to upper class young adults in a wealthy area. Its design and style is relevant because it is completely neutral to limit distractions, bright colors only coming from artificial lighting in meditation rooms. The center is related to contemporary design issues because it has structures inside a structure, a popular design today, and creates dwelling spaces in which users are comfortable enough to stay a while. The owners, clients, and users of the space are typically the same group of individuals with similar interests, ages, and genders. The typical clients and users are aged from their early twenties to mid thirties and mostly female. Most users live or work in the Flatiron District and stop in before or after work, or after dropping their children off at nearby schools. Many walk-ins do come in, drawn in by retail shown in the storefront, and find out what Inscape is; some even sign up for memberships on site. many users are freelancers, artists, or students from nearby. Not including Inscape’s corporate office employees, about 2-3 employees work during a typical shift. The average number of users per day is about 50 with the busiest day being Friday and users reaching up to 60.
The style of the exterior is original to the building, beaux arts style cornices, pediments, and quoin detailing. New windows have been added to the facade, smooth glass with thin black dividers. A recessed entryway is placed off center, drawing users in through the expansive amounts of retail in storefront windows. The ground floor is used for the public spaces of Inscape, and a private basement is used for its corporate offices.The renovated exterior is very minimalistic and monochromatic with no protrusions. The interior contrasts the minimalism and smooth design of the exterior with angular reception furniture, dome forms, and more use of natural and seemingly natural materials. Besides form, the interior mirrors the exterior’s color scheme using blacks, grays, and beiges, intended to limit user distraction. The interior and exterior seem somewhat contrasting, mainly because the storefront is light and modern while the interior is heavy and dark with use of thick materials. The overall concept of the designer, Winka Dubbeldam, was to mimic and evoke the feeling of underground Lebanese temples, inspired by the owner’s travels. The space’s floor plan consists of two floors: a main ground level for the public, and a basement level for Inscape’s private corporate offices. Its building organization is mysterious to users, unclear of what lies around the central dome structure they are invited to explore. Its organization is direct, however, with the procession of spaces going from the loudest to the most quiet; it is a clear distinction of public v. private. To help ease the transition of Manhattan section three l 29
site map
Inscape Facade
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fig. 10
chaos to the meditation center, there are two lounges, a large retail space, and a transitional path between the entry and the meditation rooms. Hierarchy is most prevalent in “the dome” meditation space as it is the largest structure and only spherical form in the space. Specific groupings and adjacencies are: lobby, lounges, and retail; lockers, the “dome”, and the “alcove”; and lockers and bathrooms. Inscape’s circulation paths are reinforced using carpet runners, as management found that users had a slightly difficult time navigating. It is slightly meandering and processional, with branching from an off centered path. Wayfinding in the space is painted on the existing columns of the space. Arrows, words, and graphics are illustrated on columns for both wayfinding and quiet rules. Images along with text reinforce rules of “no speaking, no technology, no shoes”. The building’s construction is typical to row buildings with load bearing walls and no structural interior columns. Detailing of construction systems are easy to understand, the dome’s bamboo structure is pure bamboo built with a steel frame underneath. It meets the floor on a curve which is held up by said steel structure. All other structure on the ceiling is visible except for the alcove’s wall which is comprised of a curved bamboo plane, held up with steel. The space does have existing columns, although they do not seem to be structural, and are currently used as wayfinding posts. The space’s environmental system is a typical
HVAC system with one control panel found near the general storage room, near the lockers. This system is successful for users because it heats/ cools the entire space very quickly and efficiently as climate calls for it. Nothing in Inscape is visibly sustainable except for the unintentional use of improved indoor air quality through potted plants. Low flush toilets are employed, however there is a huge reliance on artificial lighting; it is used throughout the day due to the lack of natural light. While walking through the space, users can feel the neglect of sustainable options and feel as though the space is very high-tech and artificial.
Site & Context Inscape’s site is located in the wealthy Flatiron District of Manhattan in New York City, an urban neighborhood full of middle to upper class young adults and families. Flatiron is a diverse district with varieties of restaurants and shops, and topof-the-line schools. It is a short walk away from Grand Central Station and Penn Station making it a large tourist attraction area as well as an attraction to Inscape. The area is home to 19th century original Beaux-Arts style architecture, now used as adaptive reuse projects for residences and businesses. 2 The site’s climate is temperate with four changing seasons, the southwest facing facade gaining some heat and natural light during sunset.
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"The Dome" Meditation Room
fig. 11
"The Alcove" Meditation Room
fig. 12
Interior Design Predominant finishes and materials include: gray wood-look tile, light woods, and canvaslike fabric. These materials are appropriate for Inscape because they have a subtle presence that don’t create distraction. Wood finishes are used often in areas like the reception desk, millwork on walls, and furniture. The rawness of the wood provides a warmth that the gray space needs. The wood-look tile is found in every space except the meditation rooms, where wood planks replace the gray flooring, and is heated for the cold winter New York months. None of the finishes seem to be sustainable, although the fabric used on all of seating is. The entry and lobby require vast retail space, a large reception desk, and seating for up to ten. Behind reception is an additional retail space meant for only drinks and snacks which require a large glass fridge. The space’s circulation paths require carpet runners to reduce sound from the tile flooring; the runners were a later addition to the space found necessary from management and users. The transitional quiet lounge requires ample seating for users, around 8-10 seats, and various potted plants. The only piece of artwork in the space is found in the quiet lounge and is an interactive piece. A large navy blue canvas is filled with butterfly-stamped photos of users and employees and spans about 12 feet long. Following circulation and wayfinding paths, a locker space is found which consists of up to 60 small lockers and a large bench seating. The meditation rooms require large, open spaces with space for sitting cushions and lay-down
cushions. The “Alcove” meditation room consists of up to 25 lay-down cushions and a custom macrame installation spanning the entire ceiling. The “Dome” meditation room is the center’s focal point and is a bamboo constructed dome consisting of up to 25 sitting cushions and built in seating. A full class using all built in seating and cushions can fit up to 48 users. Inscape has an overall monochromatic color scheme of warm light grays, dark grays, and blacks in its interior. This scheme offers a smooth transition from the city streets and the building’s exterior to the meditation center as well as a calming, subtle environment. Contrasting the space’s color scheme are small pops of navy blues found in the main lounge and the quiet lounge in both wall paints and fabrics. The space utilizes the storefront’s minimal natural light, and employs artificial light in all spaces. All lighting is placed on dimmers, especially meditation rooms’ lighting. The main lounge has two statement pendants constructed of laser-cut cardboard, while all other lighting is typical recessed downlighting and track lighting. The two meditation rooms are outfitted from top to bottom with artificial light systems; the dome has overhead color-changing LEDs while the alcove has a small amount of overhead and a large amount of LED up-lighting. Lighting in the meditation rooms follow Inscape’s meditation classes through the company’s app. For example, if the 5 o'clock pm class calls for a specific length of “cool down” time, the lighting will sync and have darker lighting during said cool-down period. This lighting can also be controlled manually by employees. Lighting in meditation
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fig. 13
Reception
Retail Space
fig. 14
Unused Space
fig. 15
rooms are meant to mimic a sunset or sunrise and include light blues, vibrant cobalt blues, bright pinks, and deep reds. All of the accessories and decorative elements in Inscape adequately support the functional and psychological needs of the users. Other than the meditation rooms, one piece of art is placed in the space along with various potted plants. Most decorative elements are in the alcove and the dome; the alcove has a macrame art installation and the dome has a custom bamboo structure with bands of protruding bamboo that plunge into the room. The lack of formal art in the space adds to its minimalist style and its goal to decrease distractions.
Post Occupancy Survey According to employees and users, Inscape’s neutral and minimal pallet is the best thing about the space, as well as its “lack of buddhas and tribal patterns” that may ostracize people. Its design style relaxes users and easily transitions users from the city streets to the vibrantly lit meditation rooms. The lack of artwork did worry the receptionist but after time she realized that it perfectly creates no distractions. Management particularly loved the space and said they would not change a thing, everything works great, and there is more than enough storage. Employees also made note that users love the retail space, whether it is conscious or unconscious, they are
always drawn to the area. The only negative that was pointed out has already been resolved; the tile flooring was too loud and carpet runners were installed.
Evaluation Overall I find the space to be aesthetically pleasing, but a bit too high-tech feeling. I find that it meets its needs spatially, aside from two unused and awkward corners located next to the dome. As far as the design and concept, I found it very appealing and it did feel like a space that I could relax and meditate in, away from the chaos of Manhattan. Its meditation rooms were immersive, lit perfectly for their use, and were the appropriate sizes. I found the sizes and adjacencies of all rooms adequate and wellorganized.
Spaces, Rooms & Adjacencies Acoustics are successful in the space, due to the owner’s high budget. Meditation rooms are 99% soundproof and a pink-noise system is used to guarantee a relaxing class session. Employees do not have to worry about making too much noise while classes are in session. Low flush toilets also aid in acoustic levels, as they are located near meditation rooms and do not cause any extra noise.
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circulation diagram
structure diagram - load bearing walls
privacy diagram
acoustics diagram
artificial lighting diagram
retail diagram
focal point diagram
weaving circulation diagram section three l 37
space
space lobby retail space lobby lounge quiet lounge circulation bathrooms (2) storage “the dome” meditation rm.
mod 80 retail space public 80 “the alcove” 300 lobby lounge semi private 300 quiet/m meditation rm. qu 400 quiet lounge semi private 400 lockers n 700-800 circulation semi private 700-800 80 bathrooms public+private (2) corporate 80 quiet/m n 350 storageprivate offices 350 “the dome” private 1,000 meditation 1,000 qu (forrm. users)
“the alcove” meditation rm. lockers
“the alcove” private 700 meditation (forrm. users) 150-200
corporate offices
Unused + Wasted Space
Communal Transition Spaces
User Spaces
Meditation Spaces
& Retail Space Ancillary / Employee SpacesSpace Unused + Wasted Space Lobby Unused + Wasted Communal Space Transition Spaces Communal Transition Unused Spaces + Wasted
Communal Transition Spaces
User Spaces
User Spaces Meditation Spaces
Meditation Spaces
Lobby & Retail Space
Lobby & Retail Ancillary Space/ Employee SpacesAncillary / Employee Lobby & Retail Space Spaces
User Spaces Meditation Spaces
s
lobby retail space lobby lounge quiet lounge circulation bathrooms (2) storage size (sq. ft) space privacy size (sq. acou ft) “the dome” mod 400 lobby public 400 rm. meditation
Ancillary / Employee Spaces
5,000
700
qu
quiet/m lockers semi private150-200 corporate officesprivate
5,000 mod
Inscape Adjacency Matrix Entry / Reception Retail Lobby Lounge Quiet Lounge The “Dome” Med. Rm. Locker Space The “Alcove” Med. Rm. Bathrooms Storage Corporate Offices Key: 1
2
3
space
size (sq. ft)
privacy
lobby retail space lobby lounge quiet lounge circulation bathrooms (2) storage “the dome” meditation rm.
400 80 300 400 700-800 80 350
acoustics
function
moderate moderate quiet/moderate quiet n/a quiet/moderate n/a
entry, reception desk, retail adjacent merch like: books, oils, bracelets, etc. seating, water cooler, some retail comfortable seating, transition space transition paths to meditation rms. 2 unisex ADA toilet rooms general storage
1,000
public public semi private semi private semi private public+private private private (for users)
quiet
seating for 48
“the alcove” meditation rm.
700
private (for users)
quiet
lay down space for 25
lockers
150-200
semi private
quiet/moderate
storage for users
corporate offices
5,000
private
moderate
offices for employees
section three l 39
interior lounge
fig. 16
Facade + Pool
fig. 17
Case Study #3 l Naman Spa Overview & Design Style Naman Spa is a 17,200 sq. ft. building found in the Naman Retreat of Da Nang, Vietnam consisting of two levels. It was designed by MIA Design Studio and lead designer Nguyen Hoang Manh to open in 2015. Assisting designers were Steven Baeteman, Truong Trong Dat, and Le Ho Ngoc Thao with a high budget for owners of the Naman Retreat. The Naman Spa is relevant to the proposed reiki healing and meditation center because it is a spa with 15 specialized treatment rooms, a yoga studio, a meditation studio, a pool, and a gym. It is the perfect example of the modern amenities of a retreat and/or holistic treatment visit that millennials, people born from 1980 to 2000, require. Millennials crave more luxuries and amenities than any other generation which is why the Naman Spa and Retreat Center is marketed towards these ages. Its design and style is relevant because it is completely sustainable, uses neutral colors to limit distractions, and incorporates natural features such as: greenery, water, and natural ventilation. The center is related to contemporary design issues because its structure is site specific; it is comprised of white pre-fabricated fins that both shades and allows for cross ventilation. These louvre fins appear to be concrete, although their material is not mentioned in research. Greenery is used throughout the building on both exterior and interior and even acts as a partition between a pool and a room. 3 Due to Vietnam’s booming tourism circuit, clients and users of the Naman Spa are typically wealthy men and women with an interest in travelling. The retreat’s high prices rule out
majority of local Vietnamese citizens who live or work in the city, so most users are tourists. The Naman Retreat is privately owned by someone similar to the clientele, a wealthy businessman. The typical clients and users seem to be couples aged thirties to mid forties.
Site & Context The Naman Spa’s site is located inside the Naman Retreat, a five star retreat in Da Nang, a coastal city in northern Vietnam, Asia. It is a developing country with increasing tourism and has constructed many tourist sites including the Naman Spa and Retreat, hotel resorts, and high class restaurants.4 Da Nang is the fifth most populated Vietnamese city with a population of 952,000 and a median age of 30 years old. It is a developing country, as it was completely agrarian until 1986 which has caused an influx in reform and construction.5 Because of its coastal ports, Da Nang has become the commercial and education hub of Vietnam and has been listed a first class city with the highest urbanization rate of all Vietnamese cities. Da Nang has a tropical monsoons climate which entails two seasons: a typhoon wet season from September to March, and a dry season from April to August. Because of its climate, it is constantly humid, a whopping 84% humidity on average each day, and the average rainfall is 98 inches per year.6 The building’s facade design is influenced by Da Nang’s climate and employs a natural ventilation system equipped with plants and green walls to increase cross breezes and decrease humidity. Due to its facade design it is referred to as “the no-wall spa”. 7
section three l 41
Site Map
Exterior
fig. 18
Design Concept & Style The style of the exterior, as well as the interior, is contemporary and uses modern systems and materials. The exterior consists of white fin-like lattice panels that create an envelope around the interior. Fins slightly protrude across the envelope to increase natural ventilation, while greenery curtains suspend down facades to act as passive shading devices. Interior partitions are implied through the suspended greenery that grow from the outside in, not quite reaching the ground level, while the pool of water also beginning in the exterior, flows into the interior to separate spaces.The greenery is local to Da Nang and aesthetically contrasts the modern, geometric panels. 8 The interior complements the panels’ contemporary design on the exterior by using greenery, the same lattice pattern in implied partitions, and color. However, it contrast the exterior because only smooth white walls and flooring are found with no protrusions or artwork, to limit distractions and increase tranquility. The interior and exterior are holistic in design approach because of the structure’s “no-wall” to users, as all spaces are organized around a central rectangular space or pool. Its organization is direct with a somewhat clear divide of group versus individual spaces, ground floor versus second floor organization. To welcome users, there is a long path toward the front entry to a lobby and adjacent lounge before meeting the gym and yoga room. As users move through the space from ground level to second level, activities get more and more marketed to the individual rather than a group. No hierarchy is
prevalent in the floorplan but adjacencies are important. Specific groupings on the ground level are: lobby and lounge, yoga room and gym, lockers and jacuzzis separated by male and female, and staff and function rooms. Located on the second floor are three private treatment rooms and fifteen spa treatment rooms. All private rooms are located in the east, west, and south corners of the level, while general spa rooms are located along corridors leading towards private rooms. Specific adjacencies include: exhibition space and library, general spa rooms and private spa rooms, and restrooms and spa rooms. 9 The spa’s circulation is direct and easy to understand; its main path is organized around a central rectangle in plan, creating a large rectangular circulation path. The lobby and entry creates a meandering path, to transition users and prepare them for the space. All spaces branch from this rectangular central path and users are further guided by pools and suspended greenery. There is no system of formal wayfinding, most directions are given at the front desk by receptionists, or personally asked to employees. The building’s construction is a general column grid which act as both structure to hold the facade and the load of the second level. Detailing of construction systems are a simple to understand, joinery of the facade louvres is held up by steel arms that connect directly to the roof and floor planes. Because it is dubbed the “no-wall spa”, the space’s structure is completely visible and simple to observe.
section three l 43
Reception Desk
fig. 19
Treatment Room
fig. 20
The space’s environmental system seems to be natural ventilation only through its use of exterior and interior louvres and greenery. The center of the building is open to catch air in the lobby, while ocean winds flow into the levels from the west. This system is successful for users because it was specifically designed for the site and its climate and it cools the space sustainably and efficiently. Users can feel the impact of sustainable design choices throughout the spa. Use of local plants, natural ventilation, natural lighting, and green roofs are seen and appreciated. Local plants improve indoor air quality, natural ventilation decreases reliance on HVAC systems, natural light decreases reliance on electricity and artificial lighting, and green roofs further help cool the building.
Interior Design Predominant finishes and materials include: concrete, ebony stained woods, gray fabrics, and of course water, greenery, and the facade’s louvre system. These materials are appropriate for the Naman Spa because they have a subtle yet luxurious presence that don’t create distraction. Ebony wood finishes are used in spa rooms, while a natural local wood is found in the lobby and some wall art found in the space. The warmth of the wood is necessary in such a gray and white space. None of the finishes seem to be sustainable, although the fabric used on all of seating is. Water is used as often as the white stone flooring, as well as greenery, for both aesthetic and circulation reasons.
The entry and lobby require two open spaces; one big enough for an entry way and a small reception desk big enough for two employees, and the other a small seating lounge with seating for up to ten. The gym has typical physical equipment such as treadmills, ellipticals, and a few weight lifting machines. The yoga and meditation room has enough space for 10 yoga mats plus an instructor’s in the tiny and intimate space. Both men and women’s locker rooms consist of about 15 lockers and three changing rooms before merging into the jacuzzi rooms. Jacuzzi rooms require two jacuzzis in each room along with two large ADA accessible changing rooms. The unisex shampoo area and relax areas are found in between the locker rooms and hold four shampoo seating stations and eight recliners. Spa rooms typically have the same furniture and equipment: two treatment beds, a small sink and counter, and two lounge chairs. Private treatment rooms differ as they are bigger than standard spa rooms and even have a spa tub. Circulation takes up about 35-40% of the entire space. The spa has an overall analogous color scheme of whites, grays, and blacks in its interior. The greenery and its brightness contrasts this gray scheme. This particular color scheme offers a tranquil feeling which transitions users from the restaurant next door into a zen paradise. It further promotes the building’s calming and subtle environment. The space utilizes optimal natural light, but employs artificial light in all spaces for ambient lighting and necessity. There are no pendant lighting or statement lighting features to ensure
section three l 45
Hanging Garden
fig. 21
Treatment Room
fig. 22
the louvre’s integrity without overshadowing it. All lighting is recessed downlighting, spotlights seating areas for added cooling properties. There are not many art pieces, decorative elements, or accessories in the spa, once again to limit distraction. The lobby lounge holds the only photographed decorative element, three wood boards located on a wall that seem to consist of Vietnamese writing. The reception desk also acts as an art piece, finished in the same wood as the planks found in the lounge, as it looks to be locally made and harvested. The main piece of art continues to be the louvre system used in the interior and the facade, its lattice pattern is the only pattern in the space. Natural elements such as greenery and water act as decorative elements found at floor level, vertical partition levels, and in the exterior.
Evaluation Overall I find the space to be very calming and tranquil, perfectly organized, and aesthetically pleasing. The use of water as both aesthetic views and dividers of spaces is unique, as well as the specific design of the facade and partitions. The design and its shapes fully utilize natural ventilation and project intricate shadows on
interior walls and flooring. I would not change a thing about the space; all adjacencies and voids are organized efficiently, all finishes and materials are perfectly minimal not to outshine the architecture and its natural elements, and there are more than enough spa rooms for the amount of clientele at the resort.
Space, Rooms, & Adjacencies Acoustics are successful in the space, due to the Naman Retreat’s high budget for the retreat spa. The most important spaces, the spa rooms, are placed on the second level away from noise, pools of water and the natural encouragement to keep voices low creates well-organized acoustic spaces. Locker rooms, jacuzzi rooms, and shampoo areas are adjacent, located on the ground level, a chance to relax before receiving a spa treatment. Spa rooms, both private and standard, are located on the second level for added spatial and acoustic privacy. The lobby, lounge, and cabanas are adjacent and act as public areas for users before entering the yoga room, gym, or locker rooms on the ground level. The yoga and gym rooms are adjacent to the entry, the semi-public spaces grouped together.
section three l 47
space
size (
lobby lounge cabanas gym yoga restrooms (4) function rm.
30 20 25 40 40 20 40
staff room female locker
90 80
male locker
80
jacuzzis
12
shampoo relax area pantry (2)
20 50 20 10
pools spa rooms priv. spa rms. library
23 15
50
exhibition
Female Locker + Toilet
Communal Spaces
Male Locker + Toilet
Ancillary / Employee Spaces
Lobby
Pools
50
Ground Leve
Lobby Lounge Gym Yoga Room Cabana Function Roo Staff Room Female Lock Female Jacu Male Lockers Male Jacuzzi Shampoo Are Relax Area Pantry Key: 1
2
3
Second Leve
Private Treatment
Communal Spaces
General Treatment
Ancillary / Employee Spaces
Library Exhibition Spa - Genera Spa - Private Pantry Room Restroom Key: 1
2
3
Ground Level Adjacency Matrix Lobby Lounge Gym Yoga Room Cabana Function Room Staff Room Female Lockers Female Jacuzzi Male Lockers Male Jacuzzi Shampoo Area Relax Area Pantry
Second Level Adjacency Matrix Library Exhibition Spa - General Spa - Private Rms Pantry Room Restroom Key: 1
2
3
Key: 1
2
3
space
size (sq. ft)
privacy
lobby lounge cabanas gym yoga restrooms (4) function rm.
300 200 250 400 400 200 400
public public semi private semi private semi private public+private public+private
acoustics moderate moderate quiet/moderate moderate quiet quiet/moderate moderate
entry, reception adjacent to lobby, seating for 8 outdoor seating open gym space open yoga room for group or individuals one male restrm., one female restrm room for group activities or staff
function
staff room female locker
900 800
private private
moderate moderate
male locker
800
private
moderate
employee lounge, kitchen, restroom lockers for women only lockers for men only
jacuzzis
1200
semi private
moderate
one male, one female, one public
shampoo relax area pantry (2)
200 500 200 1000
semi private semi private semi private n/a
quiet/moderate quiet/moderate moderate
shower space seating for post showering room for small food and drink
n/a
pools of water follow circulation
2300 1500
private
quiet/moderate quiet/moderate
for general treatments private treatments / couple treatments
quiet/moderate moderate
for group activities or entertainment
pools spa rooms priv. spa rms. library exhibition
500 500
private semi private semi private
library for users
section three l 49 Ground Level Adjacency Matrix Lobby
Ground Level Diagrams
circulation diagram
structural diagram
public v. private diagram
local greenery diagram
visible facade diagram - elevation
Second Level Diagrams
circulation diagram
structural diagram
public v. private diagram
local greenery diagram
hanging gardens diagram - elevation
section three l 51
entry + check in
fig. 23
yoga room + partition detailing
fig. 24
Case Study #4 l Ritual House of Yoga Overview & Design Style Ritual House of Yoga, lcated in Capitol Hill of Seattle, Washington, is a 1350 sq. ft. one floor yoga studio. It was opened in 2015, designed by Jon Gentry and Aimée O’Carroll of goCstudio with a seemingly middle to high budget. Ritual House of Yoga is relevant to the proposed reiki healing and meditation center because it is a modern yoga studio using salvaged and sustainable materials and building methods in an adaptive reuse project. It is located in the thriving and friendly neighborhood, Capitol Hill, in Seattle, Washington. Its design and style is relevant because it is completely sustainable, uses neutral colors to limit distractions, and incorporates optimal natural light. The center is related to contemporary design issues because it is an adaptive reuse project placed in a historic masonry building. Owners: Ritual House is privately owned by business partners Stuart and Sarah Pohl, an accomplished yoga teacher and her husband.10 Sarah Pohl spent years in Boulder, Colorado both teaching and practicing yoga to hone her skills and create her own business. Using her knowledge on yoga, she decided to offer both heated yoga and non-heated yoga classes. The terms heated and non-heated yoga refer to the temperature of the room; heated yoga entails a very warm temperature to induce sweating, and non-heated yoga is practiced at room temperature.11 Users of Ritual House Yoga appear to be mostly young to middle aged men and women of the area of Capitol Hill. Ritual House has a staff of 21 instructors that offers four to six
classes a day in many different practices of yoga.12 Morning classes are smaller than evening classes and range from eight to 15 students compared to evening classes ranging from 25-40 users.13 Seattle residents are among the most environmentally conscious, health conscious, and well-read people in the nation, making their demand for yoga studios high. Seattle is home to one of the first farmer’s markets opened in the United States, further proving their health conscious ways of thinking.14 Based on research of Seattleites, one can assume that the users of Ritual House are artistic, health conscious, organic-food-eating individuals who take care of their mental and physical health on a daily basis. According to Ritual House’s Instagram profile, @ Ritual.House, users appear to be artsy, grounded, and easy-going men and women aged from early twenties to late fifties.15
Site & Context Ritual House is located in Capitol Hill, a thriving neighborhood in Seattle, Washington consisting of 35,122 residents. About 80% of the neighborhood’s population is caucasian, with a female to male ratio of 1.2:1. Residents’ median age is around 35 years old, and about 55% of residents are living in one person households. Capitol seems to be comprised of many single, full time employees with white collar occupations involving management, computers and math, and business positions. Ritual House is situated on 19th Street, a popular commercial strip of historic masonry buildings. 19th Street is home to many privately owned businesses and
section three l 53
entry seating site map
fig. 25
corridor + yoga room
fig. 26
residential complexes including coffee shops, condos, restaurants, and a jiu jitsu school, similar to the site of Philadelphia and its modern luxuries and shops.16 Seattle’s climate is typically gray and overcast with clouds; 147 days a year are accounted for rain and humidity especially during the state’s wet season from October 11 to April 29. Seattle does get sun, even if the forecast calls for an overcast, so Ritual House’s east facing yoga room absorbs vast natural light during sunrise and afternoons.17
Design Concept & Style The style of the exterior is original to the building and the interior holds some original character as well. The exterior’s weathered brick and original black tile surround at the bottom of the facade are intact, but its window muntins have been painted black. Its interior contrasts the exterior; it is bright and airy and there is less massing compared to the original load bearing exterior. The interior is contemporary yet organic feeling, it uses a combination of new and old building materials, finishes, and furniture. The overall concept of the designers and goCstudio was simply to fulfill the owners’ request to take a blank space and include a yoga studio for 40+ users. It seems that they’re most apparent concept was to draw users into the space using natural light, artificial lighting details and horizontal north-south rafters. The space’s floor plan consists of one main floor that holds all of its programmatic needs: a yoga room, two changing rooms, reception and
check in desk, retail, and a space for transitioning between classes. Its building organization seems simple to users, as all spaces are processional and branch from a main circulation path. Its organization is direct with a somewhat clear divide of public v. private spaces. The insertion of a “plywood box”, a term coined by Ritual House’s designers, divides the yoga room from other spaces. The “box” is centrally placed and acts as a divide with a custom cubby space on its south side, and an acoustic and visual privacy marker. A built in custom door slides to reveal the yoga room; as classes are in session and users come late there is a smaller secondary door built into this sliding door for use. This large sliding door also acts as a ventilation method, creating space for cross breezes from windows on the east and west walls. Hierarchy is prevalent in the floor plan with an emphasis on the main yoga room in the rear. Adjacencies are important as well, with specific groupings between public and private. Groupings include: the entryway, reception, and retail space; bathroom and cubbies; and yoga room and bathrooms/changing rooms. The spa’s circulation is direct yet slightly meandering. The entryway leads directly to the reception and check in desk but users are then pushed to the right to continue on their paths. All spaces branch from this central path and users are further guided by walls and dividers, telling them to stop or go. There is no system of formal wayfinding because the space is small enough to easily understand. One can assume that if users have trouble finding something, they will ask an employee or the receptionist.
section three l 55
transition corridor
fig. 27
The building’s structural system is a typical row building’s load bearing construction method, originally built in 1909. Its outermost walls hold the facade and the load of the entire three story building. Ritual House’s expansive use of LVL, laminated veneer lumber, rafters act as structure as well in aiding in support of the structural load.18 east and west exterior walls. Due to Seattle’s temperate and mildly cold climate, one can assume that natural ventilation is used more than HVAC systems, except for when hot yoga classes are in session and the thermostat must be turned up to 75+ degrees. This system is successful for users because it allows hot yoga to occur in the space, as well as allowing cross breezes to naturally flow. Fans are found in the yoga room as well, presumably for days where natural ventilation is utilized but the studio is still hot.19 Users can feel the impact of sustainable design choices throughout Ritual House. The large use of natural ventilation, natural lighting, and the original cast-in-place concrete wall are easily seen and appreciated. Natural ventilation improves indoor air quality and decreases reliance on HVAC systems, and natural light decreases reliance on electricity and artificial lighting. The space’s concrete wall was sandblasted over a span of three days, removing 100 years worth of plaster and paint to reveal the raw original wall.20 The rawness of this wall combined with the natural oak flooring causes users to feel grounded and connected to the earth, an important factor of yoga and meditation.
Interior Design Predominant finishes and materials include: concrete, oak wood, LVL wood, and white lacquer. These materials are appropriate for Ritual House because they have a subtle, organic feeling that the environmentally conscious clientele and inhabitants of Capitol Hill relate to.21 The warmth of the wood is necessary in such a black and white space. The entry and reception area requires a reception desk with space for retail and seating for up to twelve. Most rooms are minimal and bare except for the reception area. A custom white lacquer counter acts as a visual divider between the lobby and the changing areas. It holds small retail items in a counter-height display case as well. The cubbies and locker area require seating for up to three, coat rack space, lockers for up to 42 users, and bathrooms that double as changing rooms. The yoga room requires spots for at least 33 users and yoga mats plus an instructor. Because many types of yoga are practiced in the studio, the laminated veneer lumber, LVL, rafters act as support for aerial yoga and hanging extra retail display near the entry. Circulation takes up about 20% of the entire space. 22 The spa has an overall analogous color scheme of whites, grays, and blacks in its interior. Pops of color are found in colorful patterned poufs and green plants. The pouf’s and greenery’s brightness contrasts the space’s gray scheme. This particular color scheme offers a tranquil feeling which transitions users from the exterior and 19th Street into the space. Ritual House’s
section three l 57
cubbies + bathroom corridor
fig. 28
color scheme further promotes the building’s calming and subtle setting. The space utilizes optimal natural light, but employs artificial light in all spaces for ambient lighting and necessity. The designers at goCstudio employed an LED lighting system between all of the LVL rafters. LED strips run the length of the horizontal rafters and point towards the ceiling, creating a glow that induces relaxation and a meditative state. Spotlights are pointed towards walls along the circulation path and into the yoga room, where few fanlights are found as well. There are not many art pieces, decorative elements, or accessories in the studio, once again to limit distraction. Located in the transition space and lobby space are reclaimed seating and an gold adorned mirror which act as decorative and functional elements. Located on a stark white wall between the bathrooms hangs a tapestry with an image of human anatomy; this piece promotes the rawness and groundedness of the art of yoga. The reception desk also acts as an art piece, finished in a white lacquer material and spanning from floor to ceiling. It demands to be seen and acts as a contrast to the black painted exterior. One can argue that the rafters are decorative elements as well, drawing users in and creating an architectural module leading to the yoga room.
Evaluation Overall I find the space to be very calming and tranquil, with the perfect punch of quirkiness through use of pattern, color, and texture. Its floorplan is perfectly organized in its given footprint, as well as aesthetically pleasing. I admire its organic feeling from its original, century old concrete wall and its raw oak wood rafters. It truly does feel like a space that evokes focus and groundedness, an important practice in yoga and meditation. The one thing I would change is the reception desk design. It does not exactly match the the vibe of the studio and feels too contemporary for the building and the business itself, which seem more organic and honed.
Spaces, Rooms, & Adjacencies The entry and reception areas require an open space big enough for users to stand and possibly wait in line to check in to classes. The transition space, bathrooms, and cubbies, all located in the center of the space, require narrower hallways and more privacy than reception. The yoga room requires the most private and acoustically silent space due to the practices and meditation that occur in the room. It is located in the rear of the studio for added privacy, acoustic qualities, and the natural light and ventilation. Acoustics seem successful in the space, due to the expansive use of rafters and the yoga mats to absorb and catch sound.
section three l 59
bathroom yoga room outdoor circulation
100 350 80 340
semi private semi private public+private public
moderate quiet/moderate moderate n/a
typical toilet room space for 32 mats + instructor main entryway + alley entryway 25% of space
ADA Toilet Rm Toilet Rm Yoga Room Outdoor Key: 1
space
size (sq. ft)
privacy
entry/check in locker ADA bath bathroom yoga room outdoor circulation
220 100 150 100 350 80 340
public semi-private semi private semi private semi private public+private public
acoustics moderate moderate moderate moderate quiet/moderate moderate n/a
Ritual House of Yoga Adjacency Matrix Entry / Check in Locker Area ADA Toilet Rm Toilet Rm Yoga Room Outdoor Key: 1
2
3
2
3
function seating, reception desk locker space and coat hangers ADA toilet room with shower typical toilet room space for 32 mats + instructor main entryway + alley entryway 25% of space
circulation diagram
structural diagram
focal point + hierarchy diagram
natural light diagram
section three l 61
private meditation room example
fig. 1
SECTION FOUR
Qualitative & Technical Criteria
In order to successfully design and construct a reiki healing and meditation center, one must understand and learn the requirements a space like this entails. This section will discuss what human behavior needs, recommendations, and spatial requirements are needed for the proposed center.
section four l 63
reiki treatment room example
fig. 2
reiki treatment room example
fig. 3
Interior Considerations:
Furniture, Material, Finishes & Equipment The most important requirements for furniture and equipment in all spaces are their comfort and accessibility. Interior proposals for the proposed reiki and meditation center require vast consideration involving: maintenance and cleaning needs, equipment, durable finishes, and furniture. Materials and finishes must be easily cleaned and maintained, as dozens of users daily will walk barefoot and use meditation and reiki mats and beds. Meditation rooms must have flooring that is easily maintained to keep a germfree environment. The flooring must not gather dirt and dust or foster germs. This flooring will also allow users to feel that the space is truly clean, as they will not see dirt or dust on a light colored flooring. Recommended flooring is wood, preferably wood that can be heated to be “warm to the touch”. All materials are recommended to be warm and soft, gray colors and colors close to white, to limit distraction and promote focus.1 Meditation rooms must also be free and open and flexible for other uses such as yoga or special events. Its dimensions can be determined with the measurements of a standard yoga mat, 24” wide by 73” long, with a recommended minimum of 20” apart. Space for an instructor must be left at the front of the space; precedents include a raised platform for instructors. Cubbies or nooks are required for employee’s and user’s belongings such as blankets, towels, water bottles, cell phones, etc.2 Special equipment for meditation rooms are: yoga mats and/or meditation cushions, yoga straps for stretching, blankets, incense or candles, and a surround sound speaker system. To avoid glare in meditation and yoga rooms, windows and natural light are indirect;
they are constructed as zenithal windows, or diagonal skylights placed in the roof. Reiki treatment rooms differ from meditation rooms because they must be smaller and more intimate for users. Reiki healing rooms require a massage table, a small seating area for two users, a form of storage to hold blankets and other ancillary objects, and an incense burner.3 Adjustable massage tables are 28-32" wide x 73" long with a general clearance of 32-36” surrounding the table. These tables must have an easily cleanable surface; they typically are memory foam covered in vinyl according to research. A surround sound system or a portable CD player is recommended for background music and ambience. Sound proof doors and walls must separate both meditation and reiki rooms to ensure privacy and optimum noise control.
Human Behavior:
Ergonomics, Anthropomorphics Proxemics All designs and buildings are created with human behavior and needs in mind. The integration of ergonomics, anthropomorphic, and proximetric considerations are essential to a truly successful design. Ergonomics considers designing objects so users interact more efficiently and safely with them. Regarding the proposed reiki healing and meditation center, ergonomic needs include accommodating users of all heights, shapes, and sizes via furniture, equipment, and utilities. Furniture and equipment will be adjustable, wide, and in some cases, movable. Anthropomorphic design is similar to ergonomic design and considers the human body and its needs in terms of dimensions. All objects and equipment meant for human interaction must be accessible and circulation must be ample and
section four l 65
overhead daylight strategies
zenithal windows
fig. 4
fig. 5
well spaced. Minimum clearances and dimensions must be considered at all stairs, elevators, corridors, etc. Other objects such as drinking fountains, grab bars, reception desks, counters, and treatment tables must not exclude any users due to distance or narrow or tall dimensions. Proxemics is the study of the nature, degree, and effect of the spatial separation individuals naturally maintain and how this separation relates to environmental and cultural factors. Proxemics is typically what directly makes users comfortable or uncomfortable in a space through things like spatial clearances, color, light, the placing of objects, distances, smells, and sounds. Reiki healing and meditation centers should create a zen and motivating atmosphere, making users ready to heal and self-treat. The center’s design will keep the five senses in mind to fulfill these human behavior requirements.
Lighting Direct natural light is avoided in meditation and yoga rooms. Instead, zenithal and clerestory windows are constructed to avoid glare.4 Natural light is favored in meditation spaces, with artificial lighting employed only for necessity such as night classes, early morning classes, etc. The most recommended artificial lighting for meditation and yoga spaces are controlled dimmed lighting and perimeter downlighting.5 In contrast, reiki healing rooms tend to be darker and rely on artificially controlled or dimmed lighting. If reiki rooms have windows or curtain
walls, blackout shades or window treatments are necessary to control light. Recommendations for reiki room lighting include candles and softly lit floor or table lamps. Spaces that require the most artificial task lighting are bathrooms, storage rooms, offices, corridors, and reception areas. Natural light will be utilized in as many spaces as possible.6
Sustainable Design Reiki and meditation centers tend to use sustainable design options and methods that earn LEED points. Based on the proposed site’s climate, geothermal heating and cooling will be used, however solar panels will not be particularly useful .Natural building materials and methods will be employed to promote better indoor air quality. There are many natural construction methods that can be used including: rammed earth walls, straw bale construction, cordwood construction, and adobe or cob construction. Sustainable exterior methods also include living green roofs, rain gardens, and rainwater cisterns. Possible interior sustainable materials are bamboo, timber, cordwood, pressed seed boards, and local stone. Aside from building methods and materials, the center will have operable windows and clerestory windows to improve natural ventilation, low flow toilets, and low VOC materials and finishes. Sustainable materials and methods are specifically important in these spaces because users will be vulnerable and relaxed, barefoot, and sometimes in towels or robes.
section four l 67
213
Noise Control
fig. 6
exterior barrier - acoustic control
For the 63‐Hz octave band: Aattenuation 63 Hz = 10 log
H2 + 10 log f frequency − 17 R
Aattenuation 63 Hz = 10 log
52 + 10 log(63) − 17 9
Aattenuation 63 Hz = 5 decibels For the 125‐Hz octave band: Aattenuation 125 Hz = 10 log Aattenuation125Hz = 10 log
H2 + 10 log f frequency − 17 R 52 + 10 log (125) − 17 9 fig. 7
acoustically enhanced ceiling construction
Aattenuation 125 Hz = 9 decibels
… and so on for each relevant octave band. Barrier Attenuation (dB) 63 Hz
125 Hz
250 Hz
500 Hz
1000 Hz
2000 Hz
4000 Hz
5
8
11
14
17
20
23
Acoustic Control
Wayfinding & Signage
Acoustic privacy is an important issue in meditation and reiki healing rooms, users must be focused on themselves and their treatments during their time spent in these rooms. Methods to achieve this include: choosing locations for rooms far from entries and/or street traffic; outdoor barriers (see figure 6); using double glazed glass; using solid wood doors; using acoustically enhanced construction methods.7 Construction methods like double layer GWB, high NRC rated panels, foam padding, and sound clips will be used; refer to figure 7. NRC rated acoustic panels should typically be between .70 and .90, as 1.0 creates an almost eerie, too-quiet acoustic environment. Acoustics can also be controlled through the use of carpeting, window treatments, drapery, and upholstery. 8
Large spaces require exceptional forms of wayfinding; users must have no question as to where they are and where they should go. Wayfinding provides visual assistance and control when employees may not be around to verbally direct users. Wayfinding is also vital to users who may have disabilities so it must be clear to understand and follow. Wayfinding and signage methods that may be used are maps with keys, maps with enlarged callouts, numbered signage, arrows, hanging signage, or integrated signage. Integrated signage is a method in which directions and information is integrated into the design through examples like embossing it in floors, painting it on walls, etc. Signage must stand out to users through color, typography, texture, massing size, or even its lighting.10 All wayfinding and signage must be placed at appropriate heights, making them visible to all users to comply with ADA and universal design. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, all text of wayfinding signage should be conducted in a sans serif type and should begin at a height of 30� minimum for disabled users’ eye level.11
Visual Control The proposed reiki healing and meditation center requires some visual control in order to have minimal distractions. Both meditation and reiki healing rooms must have transition rooms and/or corridors to ensure that the rooms themselves are tucked away from main circulation and traffic paths. Case study research shows that visual control can act as both transition spaces and corridors, and as functional rooms. Changing rooms or lockers can separate spaces for visual control as well as lounge spaces. The function of a transition space is to limit distraction before entering meditation or reiki rooms, and to keep main rooms somewhat hidden from public spaces. 9
Security Security needs in meditation and reiki centers are typically of low importance. No specific methods are needed, although the owner may want to employ a private security system with cameras and motion sensors used during closing hours. Cameras may be more abundant in retail areas as well to decrease stealing, and lockers and changing rooms should have locks.
section four l 69
accessible lockers and benching diagrams
fig. 8
¢ÇïäÀ ê≠ ê¢ÇïäÀ ê≠ê≠
Universal Design Universal design and ADA compliant design will be a priority in the proposed reiki healing and meditation center. All spaces, furnishings, and equipment must be accessible to all types of users which means everything in the center must be designed with this in mind. For example, ADA accessible bathrooms must have grab bars and handicap-height sinks and counters, all doors must have 18” clearances for push/pull abilities, and areas of rest must be abundant. Water fountains are essential as well as unisex toilet rooms on all levels. There must be a variety of furnishings and equipment, as not all humans are “one size fits all”. Seating areas, counters, and all spaces should accommodate for a 5’ radius for wheelchair turnarounds and 36” clearances in pathways.12 Floor covering consideration is essential in this center because users will often be barefoot. They must not be shiny, to decrease visual issues, and they must be slip resistant to decrease tripping or slipping. A resilient, non-slip, durable, and renewable flooring material is cork covered in polyurethane for additional endurance. It is an excellent form of acoustical control as well.13 Locker rooms must be accessible to all users; at least 5% or one locker must be ADA accessible with a clear space of 48”x30” to accommodate a wheelchair. Benches are required in locker rooms and changing areas.
1 1WÇççî WÇççî WÇççî 1 1WÇççî
2 2FçêƱî FçêƱî 2 2FçêƱî FçêƱî
3 3CÜäÀ CÜäÀ çàÙ äÀèCÜäÀ àÙçäÀèçàÙ äÀèàÙ 3çäÀ3èCÜäÀ
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fig. 8a
fenestration & natural ventilation strategies
ïÜì ì
Ö ≠ìö ê≠ìö
CA-1 CA-1 CA-1 BìäÀ CA-1 BìäÀ ïäÀîïBìäÀ âäÀîBìäÀ âPÇó®À ïäÀPÇó®À îïâ äÀîçäÀêâPÇó®À ç≠, äÀêPÇó®À ≠,Eôëê çäÀêEôëê ç≠, äÀê≠,Eôëê ‘92 Eôëê ‘92 ‘92‘92
CB-3 CB-3 CB-3 Pê∂§ìàÊè CB-3 Pê∂§ìàÊè Pê∂§ìàÊè Pê∂§ìàÊè HÜÇÖíñÇìïÜìî HÜÇÖíñÇìïÜìî HÜÇÖíñÇìïÜìî HÜÇÖíñÇìïÜìî
CA-3 CA-3 CA-3 CA-3 SåöıâÜìé SåöıâÜìé SåöıâÜìé SåöıâÜìé Hê¥îÜ Hê¥îÜ Hê¥îÜ Hê¥îÜ
section four l 71
fig. 1
SECTION FIVE
Topical Explorations
It is essential that a reiki healing and meditation center has a calming and comfortable environment for users. Designers can use research on human centered design, light and color, and the importance of personal care and stress relief to create the perfect environment for this space.
section five l 73
fig. 2
Light & Color Color is a visual design element that causes either psychological harmony, or psychological stress. Color has the ability to make someone focus and learn, or shut down and relax; no other visual element has this power. Warm colors such as reds, yellows and oranges can spark emotions ranging from comfort and warmth, to hostility and anger. Cool colors such as green, blue and purple generally spark feelings of calmness as well as sadness. Not only are colors associated with emotions, but with health, auras, and chakras as well. An aura is the emanating emotion or trait one has that can be felt or seen. For example, a green aura is associated with jealousy and black with hatred. A chakra is a step beyond an aura; a chakra is an energy point that radiates from one’s physical body. There are seven chakras along the body from head to toe. The belief in auras and chakras are the base of almost all spiritual and metaphysical beliefs, as well as color studies beginning in the early twentieth century.1 Violet is associated with the crown of the head, dark blue/indigo with the brow and third eye, light blue with the throat, green with the heart, yellow with the abdomen or solar plexus area, orange with the sacral or pelvic region, and red with the roots or feet region.2 The root chakra, red, is associated with a person’s relationship to the earth and impacts his or hers vitality, strength, and groundedness. Although the proposed center’s goal is to decrease stress and increase groundedness, red may not be a proper color for the task at hand because it has been shown to increase agitation and encourage a competitive nature. Psychological color studies have been specifically researched with participants in
meditative states. Participants shown to be significantly more relaxed after meditating with green, blue, yellow and white colors. These colors induced a deep relaxation, especially the color white. White caused subjects to feel soothed, clean, and peaceful, stemming from the color white’s association with innocence and spirituality. Blue caused them to feel refreshed and rested, similar to the color green which made them to feel fresh and serene. The colors red, violet, and orange did not increase their relaxation and instead evoked feelings of pain, fear, and mystery, thus disturbing the act of relaxation. The reactions to the color red are supported by the studies of chakras, as red is associated with survival and self preservation. The final report also shows that violet evoked happiness and peace, although it inspired subjects it did not relax them. The color orange reenergized participants as well, but it did not relax them. Orange may be useful as a post-meditation color.3 Lighting strategies for this building type suggest that natural daylight is utilized as much as possible, with artificial ambient lighting on dimmers for necessity. Daylighting is the most prevalent form of light in meditation and yoga centers because it improves performance, increases concentration, and creates an overall calming environment making users feel tied to the outdoors. Artificial lighting utilized should be warm white lamps with quality equivalent to lighting products by Philips or OSRAM. According to a light study on clarity, relaxation, and privacy, participants found that cove lighting was the most relaxing at a low level of 320 lux. The second most relaxing form of lighting was found to be wall washing.4
section five l 75
fig. 3
Human Centered Design The demographic group that will use the proposed reiki healing and meditation center ranges from ages 18 to 60, who require a vast range of needs. Values, behavioral norms, and psychological needs differ amongst the age groups so there must be adequate spaces that fulfill these requirements. Using primary and secondary sources such as interviews, surveys, peer-reviewed literature, and precedent studies, one can design a center that perfectly satisfies the needs of all intended ages. Materials and colors must be low contrast, low-shine, and nonreflective. Not only to limit distraction amongst users, but to aid in a comfortable experience for all. Patterns should be small and/or not too large as to limit confusion amongst the elderly as well. Understanding the relationship between the natural and the built environment is important because it affects human experience, behavior, and performance. Natural elements like daylight, views to the outdoors, and greenery are proven to improve overall attitude, satisfaction, and well being in spaces. A sensory experience using natural materials and elements is necessary for a meditation space because it cleanses
one of the stress and intensity of his or her day. A connection to nature and open spaces is integral as well. To promote relaxation and mental cleansing, woods, water elements, and optimal natural light are used. The built environment in a meditation and reiki healing center requires vast locations for personal reflection, large enough to limit intimate interactions; this requires at least a five foot radius for each person intended to be in a specific room. In contrast, treatment rooms should be intimate and promote deeper reflection. Reflection can be encouraged through use of natural light and materials, tall ceilings, and the integration of little or no furniture. These reflection spaces will discourage social interaction, a necessary task after meditation or reiki treatments. Social interaction can be encouraged through gathering spaces such as lounges before meditation, lobby spaces, or hub spaces like a cafe. Social gathering can be promoted with the use of seating clusters, surround sound music, carpeting, and other home-like qualities to increase comfortability. These spaces should not be adjacent to meditation or treatment rooms, as interaction and distraction is not wanted before a session.
section five l 77
fig. 4
Stress Relief & Meditation Stress has become a worldwide issue that may lead to poor lifestyle habits, depression, migraines, ulcers, and even addiction. 30% of the world’s employees say they suffer from work-related anxiety, stress, or depression, with city-dwellers 21% more likely to suffer from these issues. Stress from daily life or work will continue to increase, making stress relief outlets a necessity. Meditation will become a stress outlet as it has already begun to act as an alternative in the Western Hemisphere within recent years. Meditation can treat both psychological and physical ailments and has been proven to decrease stress, and even increase immune systems and mental health. 5 Stress can be a deadly factor in someone’s mental and physical health, relationships, and lifespan. It is imperative to take of your health and treat your body as a temple or else negative effects will surface. Stress has been proven
to lead to poor lifestyle habits and even drug addiction due to increased pressure and poor work-life balance. Maintaining a healthy psyche is necessary to reduce risks of heart attacks and strokes, slow down mental aging, increase creativity, promote focus and dexterity, ward off addiction, and ultimately increase one’s lifespan.6 Meditating for as little as five minutes a day for up to four weeks may begin showing positive results. Meditation entails clearing the mind and focusing on the breath and diaphragm, leading to personal reflection and awareness. The practice of meditation is so beneficial that it is prescribed as a secondary treatment to severe cases of depression, cardiovascular issues, and other physical ailments. It is used, however, as primary treatment to minor cases of previous ailments listed and depression and anxiety. It allows meditators to learn and earn the powers of control, reflection, serenity, confidence, clarity, and personal growth. 7
section five l 79
fig. 1
SECTION SIX
Existing Site, Context, Climate + Zoning
5101 South 16th Street, located in the Philadelphia Navy Yard, is in a city and neighborhood with rich history and and original architecture. It is in the midst of restaurants, a koi pond, yoga studio, and office buildings with potential clients which is perfect for the proposed reiki healing and meditation center. Various parks, piers, and attractions are located in the Navy Yard campus as well.
section six l 81
fig. 2 fig. 2
City of Philadelphia Philadelphia is the fifth largest city in America, located in Pennsylvania, and known for its visual and performing arts, music, and combination of historic and modern culture. The current population is 1,567,422 people according to the U.S. Census. The population makes the city very dense at 11,379 people per square mile in a total of 134 square miles. Philadelphia has typical a North Eastern climate that varies from season to season; the average temperature is 59 degrees fahrenheit. The average low is in January, with an average temperature of 33 degrees fahrenheit. The highest is in July, with an average of 76 degrees fahrenheit. The city’s average wind speed is 10 miles per hour, and average precipitation is 41.4 inches a year.1 Philadelphia’s demographics are incredibly diverse with percentages of about: 45% caucasian, 44% African American, and 7% Asian and other races like Irish, Italian, etc. It was once an area of refuge from religious persecution for Quakers and Mennonites when founded by William Penn in 1682. It is because of these refugees that the city’s architecture has many traditional neighborhoods and vernacular homes. Many people still migrate to Philadelphia because it is a port city with many jobs and housing opportunities. Evidence of immigrants is very apparent found in areas like “Chinatown”, the
Italian market found near South Street, and many other culturally specific areas.2 Philadelphia’s urban plan was built on a deliberate grid system with two main axes, Broad Street and Market Street, that run through Center City. City Hall is found in the center of the grid, where Broad and Market Street meet, with four main squares that surround it. Many of the original buildings have been preserved, giving Philadelphia a rich history full of tourist opportunities and guided tours. The area of Old City in particular is a neighborhood chocked full of historic sites and museums including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Betsy Ross House. Many of these original buildings consist of Federal and Georgian architecture with heavy brick and local Wissahickon schist stone materials. This architecture was very much climate based, as brick and stone insulated and allowed hearths and wells to be easily built. As Philadelphia, its architecture, and building techniques modernized, buildings sprouted up as skyscrapers, used glass facades, and steel framing, creating the Philadelphia skyline we see today.3 Philadelphia’s vast and colorful history will affect my design through color and material, and most likely through textiles, as the textile industry continues to be the city’s biggest source of skill and income.
section six l 83
Navy Yard overall
fig. 3
Navy Yard district map
fig. 4
Philadelphia Navy Yard The building resides in the Naval Yard Campus of South Philadelphia, a once undeveloped 1200 acre site that is now being rehabilitated into a business and cultural center. It was the birthplace of the U.S. Navy in 1794 and is now home to more than 150 companies and 30,000 employees. Its original master plan was created in 2004 Robert A.M. Stern Architects and was revised in 2013 by his company and a team of planners, developers, and designers. The campus is full of juxtapositions of industrial loft buildings and homes, modern glass structures, and historic buildings along Broad Street, contrasted with green parks and trails. Century old sycamore trees line walking paths that lead to parks, jogging trails, stores, office buildings, and the riverfront.4 Adjacent to the Naval Yard is the Wells Fargo Performance Center and Lincoln Financial Field, and FDR Park, however they are not seen from the Reiki Healing and Meditation Center’s proposed location. All new construction of the Navy Yard is focused on sustainability and LEED certifications to achieve optimal LEED points and environmental consciousness. The cultural and economic makeup of the neighborhood consists of fortune 500 companies, both high end and low end retail stores, restaurants, a yoga studio, and historic navy buildings like a chapel, gatehouses, and a reserve basin building. 5 The park keeps the original Navy Yard’s “Historic Core” and uses it as an attraction to visitors. The neighborhood’s
economic demographics appear to be middle to high class, although visitors from all over visit the area to shop, eat, and walk the parks.Visitors and employees can get to the campus by walking from the AT&T Station, one of two Navy Yard shuttle buses, or by car and park in free on-street or paid lot parking. Because of the campus’ combination of historic, industrial buildings and modern glass structures, the design of the reiki healing and meditation center is able to be an eclectic mix of these styles.
South Broad Street Philadelphia’s Broad Street is the longest urban boulevard in the United States, running from South Philadelphia to North Philadelphia to the edge of Montgomery County. It has been said that Broad Street is the best representation of humanity in the country holding vast churches, synagogues, restaurants, galleries, theaters, homes, and different neighborhoods. The street as a whole is a cultural center, but South Broad Street is specifically unique. South Broad is home to the Academy of Music, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and other galleries and theaters giving the area between Broad St. and Washington the title “Avenue of the Arts” in the 1990s. The famous New Year's Day Mummers Day Parade also takes place on South Broad Street as it has for over a hundred years. The buildings on the block are generally skyscrapers and high rises, mixed with modern and 19th
section six l 85
URBN's office campus
fig. 5
site + adjacent greenery
fig. 6
and 20th century structures. They vary from four to to 29 stories tall with commercial, retail, and residential uses. The architectural styles employed in surrounding buildings are existing post-industrial buildings with styles most similar to federal style and warehouse style structures. The cultural and artistic character of the entirety of South Broad Street will possibly affect my design in deciding to match or contrast the area’s energy and pizazz.6 The proposed building location however is currently housing Urban Outfitter’s offices, adjacent to an Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie “campus” of its own. Adjacent buildings include five Urban Outfitters buildings that hold two public restaurants and a koi pond, along with private work spaces for employees. The building is surrounded by parking lots on its northern, eastern, and western sides, with its south entrance facing this Urban Outfitters park. Due to its entry near the hustle and bustle of Urban’s campus, my design will most likely need a large transition space to relax clients.
Site Zoning + Analysis The Philadelphia Navy Yard is zoned as CMX-3, Community Commercial Mixed Use, with an AHC hazard, an airport hazard control. The building is surrounded by parking on the west, north, and east elevations, although two public Navy Yard shuttles are available for campus commuters and visitors as well. Traffic mainly moves on Kittyhawk Avenue, located north of the building, and all surrounding streets are conveniently two-way streets. The building's existing entrances are accessed through central doors found on South 16th Street and central doors near the adjacent greenspace. Unsavory views of the building across the street on its western side may want to be blocked, as it is a four-story unkempt warehouse with rusty windowpanes and unintentionally-frosted glass windows. Its eastern side however has
picturesque views of vegetation and a large green space because it is situated in the URBN brand’s campus. The climate is typical to the city of Philadelphia with an average of 54.3 degrees fahrenheit. The vegetative trees on the eastern elevation are not named, although native plants of Philadelphia are woody plants and herbaceous plants. Natives trees include: various species of the maple tree, willow oak tree, and hickory trees. Shrubs include: hydrangeas, dogwood, silky willows, and southern arrowwood. Flowers include turtlehead, purple stemmed aster, thin-leaved sunflowers, and cardinal flowers. Various grasses, fers, and rush include: cinnamon fern, christmas fern, big bluestem, riverbank rye, and scouring rush. Unfortunately, noise pollution is a factor in this site because of the nearby Philadelphia National Airport, found southwest of the yard; special acoustic blocking measures will need to be employed. The sun’s path will affect natural lighting greatly in the mornings. Because of its western rise, the sun will pour directly into the west windows and risks interrupting clients or patients that may be using the spaces. Natural light is necessary in this project type, but shade systems may need to be utilized. At sunset, specifically in the summer, the eastern elevation and its windows will need a shade system as well, since summer sun runs on a higher arc. The building’s clerestory window system will be perfect for the reiki healing and meditation center because it will not place direct sunlight on patrons and will instead reinforce a glowing effect. Wind on the site may be an issue during winter; winter winds come from the northwest and will blow directly in patrons faces as they leave and return to the parking lot. Architecturally, both the summer and winter winds can provide a natural cross breeze through the narrow building. No safety issues are apparent in my analysis as mainly adults will be using the space rather than wandering children. section six l 87
5101 S. Broad St. Site Analysis
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WIN
IN MA FIC AF TR
TREET SOUTH 16 S
KITTYHAWK
T.
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INDS
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RW MME
AVENUE
navy yard zoning map
Philadelphia climate graph
section six l 89
fig. 1
SECTION SEVEN
Program Development & Documentation
Research on reiki treatment, meditation centers, and general wellness centers has provided me with enough information to begin developing a program for the proposed Reiki Healing and Meditation Center. Careful thought was given to each and every proposed space as well as its human behavior, finish, furniture, and equipment requirements and sizes.
section seven l 91
Room Name
S.F. Each
Adjacencies reception, interior park
Vestibule
1
70 s.f min
Reception (+ retail)
1
200-250 s.f.
vestibule, corridor
1,000 s.f. +
vestibule, reception, corridor
Interior Park
Public Kitchenette
1
1
Private Meditation Room
2-3
acoustic
natural + artificial
De and
acoustic
natural + (small amounts) of artificial
ben
one near recpetion, one near reiki rooms acoustic
natural + artificial
dee use
all first floor spaces
artificial
foc wa
-
2 or 3
car
natural + artificial
1
Meditation Room
acoustic
acoustic
Main Corridor
3
Fu
reception, corridor
200 s.f. +
Reiki Treatment Room
Lighting natural + artificial
300 s.f. +
2
2
Privacy (Visual or Acoustic)
isla cou sin dis mu
Transition Lounge
Locker Storage
Quantitative Chart
Qty.
acoustic
corridor, all treatment rooms and meditation rooms; bathrooms visual + acoustic artificial
ben mir
salt room
visual + acoustic artificial
trea com two bla mu
private meditation room, corridor
natural + visual + acoustic artificial
sto tow ma
meditation 200-300 s.f. min room, corridor
natural + visual + acoustic artificial
me inc
reiki treatment rooms
visual + acoustic artificial
bui
wa for
200 s.f. +
150 s.f. min
700 s.f. +
Salt Therapy Room
1
400-500 s.f.
Laundry Room
1
150 s.f. +
janitor closet
visual
one near reception, and two near reiki rooms
visual + acoustic artificial
artificial
urin mir
Unisex Toilet
3
75 s.f. +
Women's Toilet
1
200 s.f. +
lockers, corridor visual + acoustic artificial
Men's Toilet
1
200 s.f. +
lockers, corridor visual + acoustic artificial
sta sin sta sin
Electric Room
1
100 s.f.
corridor
visual
artificial
ele
Data Closet
1
25-50 s.f.
corridor
visual
artificial
com
Mech. Room
1
100 s.f.
corridor
visual
artificial
HV
50 s.f.
women's + men's toilets
visual
artificial
slo
200-300 s.f.
employee toilet visual + acoustic artificial
kitc sea sea
75 s.f. +
employee break room visual + acoustic artificial
urin mir
Janitor Closet Employee Break Room Employee Unisex Toilet
Storage
1
1 1
2
200 s.f. +
meditation rooms, reiki rooms
artificial
she
data closet, mech. room, elec room
visual + acoustic artificial
com cha tele
-
natural + visual + acoustic artificial
Security office
1
100-150 s.f.
Circulation
-
6,000 s.f.
visual
Privacy (Visual or Acoustic)
Lighting
Furniture/ equipment
acoustic
natural + artificial
card swipe system
acoustic
natural + artificial
acoustic
acoustic
ms acoustic
acoustic
Finishes/ Materials
Perception
Remarks
B
welcoming
glass entry with focal light
Desk, 6-8 seats, fridges wood, greenery, and shelving for retail stone
A
welcoming, calming
welcoming but gritty (rammed earth, rough wood, etc.)
natural + (small amounts) of artificial
glass, greenery, benches, water cisterns wood, stone
B
welcoming, calming
meandering stone pathways
natural + artificial
island and 4-5 stools, counter and cabinets, sink, mini fridge, wood, tile, dishwasher, storage for concrete, mugs and tea textiles
welcoming
communal kitchen for users after and before work
welcoming, calming, quiet
lounge for users to reflect and think to themselves before meditation or reiki
intimate
meandering main hall; no deadend hallways, no farther than 250 ft. from an exit
natural + artificial
artificial
deep seating for 8-10 users
focal lights, wayfindingg
walk off mat, wood, glass
Acoustic Criteria (A, B, C)
textiles, wood, brass
wood, rammed earth
A
A+B
C
visual + acoustic artificial
benches, lockers, mirrors,
B
intimate
One on 1st floor and one on mezzanine; Space for changing clothes and placing belongings
visual + acoustic artificial
treatment bed; comfortable seating for two; chest for towels, blankets, etc.; incense, carpeting, music system wood, stone
A+B
calming, intimate
dimmed lighting, dark and relaxing; located on mezzanine!
natural + visual + acoustic artificial
storage for blankets, towels, etc.; meditation mats, greenery wood, glass
A+B
calming, welcoming, expansive
bright and natural, on west of building
natural + visual + acoustic artificial
meditation mats, incense
wood, textiles, pendant light
A+B
calming, intimate
room for 2-3 people max
visual + acoustic artificial
built-in seating in salt
himalayan salt,
B
calming, intimate
will glow from artificial light
visual
washer, dryer, hamper for towels/blankets
wood, tile, concrete, brass
B
intimate
employee only
urinal, toilet, sink, mirror, grab bars
concrete, tile, brass
B
intimate
ADA accessible
stalls for 3-4, mirrors, sinks stalls for 3-4, mirrors, sinks
concrete, tile, brass concrete, tile, brass
B
intimate
ADA accessible
ms
artificial
visual + acoustic artificial
or visual + acoustic artificial
or visual + acoustic artificial
wood, concrete
B
intimate
ADA accessible rated, found back-ofhouse
visual
artificial
electric panel
concrete
B
restricted to users
visual
artificial
computers, data cords
concrete
B
restricted to users
rated, found back-ofhouse
visual
artificial
HVAC system
concrete
B
restricted to users
rated, found back-ofhouse
visual
artificial
slop sink, mop, bucket
concrete
B
restricted to users
lock on door
t visual + acoustic artificial
kitchenette, table and seating for 4+, lounge seating
wood, greenery, concrete
A+B
welcoming
card swipe at door
visual + acoustic artificial
urinal, toilet, sink, mirror, grab bars
concrete, tile, brass
B
intimate
visual
shelving, lock on door
concrete
B
restricted to users
rated, lock on door
B
restricted to users
rated; one on mezanine and one on first floor
A+B
welcoming, meandering
20% OF TOTAL S.F.
ak
artificial
visual + acoustic artificial natural + visual + acoustic artificial
computer, desk, task chair, counter, telephone
carpet, concrete
section seven l 93
Thermal comfort (people can adjust own temperature, shading devices). Indoor air quality (natural ventilati
PROXEMICS: 1= intimate 2= personal 0 - 1.5 ft 1.5-4 ft
Vestibule
Reception (+ retail)
Color
grey
canopy for shade, block temperature from outside getting into reception
2
keeps outside conditions out
HVAC HVAC, data/voice lines, mech. for fridges, outlets for computer/phone
E
m ma
4
grey, green, natural ventilation, brown, gold greenery
4
grey, green, natural ventilation, plumbing for drinking brown greenery fountains
3
grey, green, natural ventilation, brown, gold greenery
power for appliances, m HVAC, plumbing for adjustable temp, ma appliances and sink shading devices
Transition Lounge
3
grey, green, natural ventilation, brown, gold greenery
power, HVAC
m adjustable temp, ma shading devices
Main Corridor
3-4
grey, green, natural ventilation, brown, gold greenery
power, HVAC
adjustable temp, shading devices
n
Locker Storage
2
grey, brown
power, HVAC
adjustable temp
n
Reiki Treatment Room
1
grey, green, brown, gold natural ventilation
power, HVAC
m adjustable temp, ma shading devices
Meditation Room
2
grey, green, natural ventilation, brown, gold greenery
power, HVAC
m adjustable temp, ma shading devices
Private Meditation Room
2-3
grey, green, natural ventilation, brown, gold greenery
power, HVAC
adjustable temp, shading devices
Salt Therapy Room
1-2
light pink (color of the Himalayan salt)
HVAC
blankets availble
Laundry Room
2
grey, green, brown, gold
power, HVAC, plumbing
Unisex Toilet
2
grey, green, brown, gold
power, HVAC, plumbing
re
Women's Toilet
3
grey, green, brown, gold
power, HVAC, plumbing
re
re
Interior Park
Public Kitchenette
Qualitative Chart
(1, 2, 3, or 4)
4 = public 12 ft +
Power, mech, HVAC, data/voice, telecomm &/or Indoor Air Quality plumb'g needs Thermal Comfort
Proxemics Room Name
3 = social 4-12 ft
negative-ion reducing properties of salt
Men's Toilet
3
grey, green, brown, gold
power, HVAC, plumbing
Electric Room
2
grey
power, HVAC
Data Closet
1
grey
data, telecom, power, HVAC
shading devices
g ma shading devices in
m m
n
Mech. Room
2
grey
data, telecom, power, HVAC
Janitor Closet
1
grey
plumbing, power
Employee Break Room
3
grey, green, natural ventilation, brown, gold greenery
Employee Unisex Toilet
2
grey, green, brown, gold
power, HVAC, plumbing
shading devices
re
Storage
3
grey
HVAC, power
adjustable temp
re
Security office
2
grey, brown
HVAC, power, data/voice telecom
adjustable temp, shading devices
power, telecom, data, adjustable temp, HVAC shading devices
m m
m m
devices). Indoor air quality (natural ventilation)
4 = public 12 ft +
ower, mech, HVAC, data/voice, telecomm &/or plumb'g needs Thermal Comfort
HVAC
HVAC, data/voice lines, mech. for ridges, outlets for computer/phone
umbing for drinking fountains
canopy for shade, block temperature from outside getting into reception
Environmental Qualities
keep outdoor conditions out
power, HVAC
Wayfinding
glass surround
space for Low VOC wheelchairs, materials, natural deep seating in program guide, materials, recycled shape of the directory possible double shading devices content human body graphics height space
Future trends, permanence, &/0r growth
Remarks
possible expansion as comforting entry program/ to push users company grows through possible expansion as program/ company grows
two story entry
greenery, natural benches in program guide, materials, improved shape of human directory shading devices indoor air quality body graphics
green house interior with possible wrought iron expansion as details; glass program/ transition doors company grows
two story park
supportive barstools, lowreflective finishes, 30" visible to rest of counters entry spaces
possible expansion as program/ company grows
industrial-chic style
possible low partition or expansion as stone wall to program/ separate space company grows
industrial-chic style
Low VOC ower for appliances, materials, natural HVAC, plumbing for adjustable temp, materials, recycled appliances and sink shading devices content
power, HVAC
Ergonomics
enough space to allow people entry signage, to come and go, clear glass, and wheelchair address clearly turns labled
Interior Construction
Low VOC materials, natural adjustable temp, materials, recycled shading devices content
adjustable temp, shading devices
natural materials
supportive and deep seating
directory graphics
custom wall cabinetry
possible expansion as program/ company grows
wide enough for program guide, 5 foot radius directory clearance graphics
possible expansion as lockers screwed program/ to wall company grows
power, HVAC
adjustable temp
lockers no higher than 60"
directory graphics on doors
power, HVAC
beds large Low VOC enough to fit all materials, natural users, adjustable temp, materials, recycled adjustable shading devices content height
directory graphics on doors
possible expansion as program/ company grows
power, HVAC
Low VOC materials, natural adjustable temp, materials, recycled shading devices content
directory graphics on doors
skylights
possible expansion as program/ company grows two story space
power, HVAC
Low VOC materials, natural materials, recycled content
directory graphics on doors
skylights
possible expansion as program/ company grows
natural materials
directory graphics on doors
skylights
possible expansion as program/ company grows
HVAC
adjustable temp, shading devices
blankets availble
natural materials
possible expansion as program/ company grows
power, HVAC, plumbing power, HVAC, plumbing
recycled materials
directory graphics on doors
power, HVAC, plumbing
recycled materials
directory graphics on doors
power, HVAC, plumbing
recycled materials
directory graphics on doors
Low VOC materials, natural materials, recycled content
directory graphics on doors
power, HVAC
ata, telecom, power, HVAC
ata, telecom, power, HVAC plumbing, power
ower, telecom, data, adjustable temp, HVAC shading devices power, HVAC, plumbing
shading devices
recycled materials
HVAC, power
adjustable temp
recycled materials
HVAC, power, data/voice telecom
adjustable temp, shading devices
Low VOC materials, natural materials, recycled content
skylights
bright and airy
section seven l 95
Adjacencry Matrix
Bubble Diagram vest.
toilet reception interior park kitchen lounge
priv. m. rm
stair
corridor priv. m. rm
meditation room
meditation room
lockers
corridor
lounge
ancillary
lockers
toilet
toilet
toilet toilet
salt rm. meditation room reiki rooms
section seven l 97
fig. 1
SECTION EIGHT
Building Analysis, Code, Regulations, Standards
In order to follow the International Building Code and create a safe environment for all users, intensive code reviews and building analyses must be conducted. Section 8 explores these guidelines, as well as providing visual documentation and diagram of the proposed site.
section eight l 99
site + adjacent greenery
fig. 2
east elevation
fig. 3
Existing Building Analysis The Philadelphia Navy Yard is zoned as CMX-3, Community Commercial Mixed Use, with an AHC hazard, an airport hazard control. The current Urban Outfitters Store, most recently Free People Brand offices, consists of one level and a mezzanine at ___ sq. ft. Formerly known as, the Navy Yard’s “Building 15”, it was renovated in 2006 by MSR Design, along with seven other buildings to become URBN’s corporate campus. The building’s original style is industrial equipped with masonry walls and large arched windows. MSR Design kept the building’s integrity intact and left trusses and masonry exposed. The renovated interior is very much “URBN” in that rustic furniture, finishes, and materials were utilized; MSR’s choices perfectly fit in with Building 15’s original style and concept. The structure consists of both a column system and a beam-truss system to support its loads, refer to diagram __. It is completely enveloped by large masonry on all elevations and a slate roof with a clerestory detail. Its finishes appear to be influenced by Philadelphia’s NorthEast temperate climate as well as the winds from the adjacent river. MSR Design’s renovation appears sustainable, many of the building’s original finishes were left untouched and/or rehabilitated such as columns, beams, and trusses. MSR employed the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program, meaning they had to protect as much original integrity and character of the building as possible. Building 15 was once used in the process of shipbuilding and repairs, so MSR decided to protect original materiality, open
volumes, and daylight access openings were kept It appears that the building’s sustainability is very holistic and natural. For the proposed reiki healing & meditation center, I will use the building in its entirety and preserve the structure’s verticality and open volumes. I will need to employ smaller and more private rooms than are currently constructed, so at least ⅓ of the building will lose its open volume quality.
Code, Regulation, & Standards Analysis According to the International Building Code 2009, or IBC 2009, the proposed Reiki Healing and Meditation Center belongs under Group B acting as a place of business. According to Group B regulations, the maximum floor area allowances per occupant load is 100 gross. Dead ends should be no longer than 50 feet, corridors should have a minimum width of 44 inches, a minimum of 2 means of egress per story, and no aisles less than 36 inches wide. The maximum allowable travel distance to an exit is 300 feet in an automated sprinklered building. Watercloset regulations state: 1 per 25 for the first 50 occupants, and 1 per 50 for the remainder exceeding 50. Lavatory regulations state: 1 per 40 for the first 80, and 1 per 80 for the remainder exceeding 80. 1 drinking fountain per 100 occupants is required, as well as 1 service sink. Specific separations between rooms or areas follow strict wall rating and fire preventative/ blocking regulations. Laundry and storage rooms over 100 sq. ft. require 1-hour rated walls or an automatic fire extinguishing system.
section eight l 101
existing floor plan
section
Code Review & Guidelines 1. Project Data Project Name: Urban Outfitters Address: 5101 S. 16th Street Date of Completion: # of Stories: 1 Total Gross Sq. Ft.: 17,030 s.f.
2. Applicable Building Code Information Zoning ordinance: Philadelphia County Fire Code: 2009 International Fire Code Building Code and Date: IBC 2009 Energy Code: 2009 International Energy Conservation Code Exit Access Travel Distance: 300 feet
3. Use Group Classification Group B - Business
4. Means of Egress assume all sprinklered Dead End Limit: 50 feet Gross Sq. Ft.: 17,030 s.f. S.F. per Occupant: 100 sq. ft. gross
Min. Corridor Width: 44 inches Number of Exits: 2 per story Exit Access Travel Distance: 300 feet
5. Sanitation Male/Female % Split: 50/50 WC Male: 4 WC Female: 4 Urinals Male: 1 Lavatories Male: 2 Lavatories Female: 3 Drinking Fountains: 2 Service Sink: 1
6. Fire Protection Requirements Fire Exit Enclosures: 2 hours Shafts and Elevator Hostways: 2 hours Tenant Space Separations: 2 hours Smoke Barriers: 30 minutes Corridor Fire-Resistance Rating: 0 if sprinklered Incidental Use Areas: Laundry, Storage - 1 hour 7. Building Limitations None
section eight l 103
structural diagram
structural diagram
load bearing walls
trusses
daylight diagram
daylight diagram
section eight l 105
egress diagram
picturesque views diagram
solid v. void diagram
ventilation diagram
section eight l 107
fig. 1
SECTION NINE
Project Research Summary & Conclusion
section nine l 109
fig. 2
Executive Summary Throughout my research journey for the proposed Reiki Healing and Meditation Center, I have found more information than I thought possible. With help from skilled advisors and my own in depth research, I now have a strong ground point to begin designing. I learned about: history of meditation that can promote my concept; human behavior factors; yoga and meditation layouts; colors to use or avoid; and faults that I will fix from case studies. From this point, I see my design being incredibly raw and natural, especially since I intend to create an interior park as transition space. I feel that the information I have read and gathered is all relevant and reliable, though it may be redundant, but it focuses on important factors of designing a space of this type. Because it is a somewhat new building type, much information was gathered from case studies and site visits which is as reliable as researching it on a
computer. It will definitely aid my future design solutions because although much of the research was specific to this project, the knowledge can be used as big picture ideas. Ideas such as ergonomics, proxemics, and anthropometrics will be used in all of my future designs. At this point, the beginning of my conceptual thinking, I am leaning towards traditional Buddhist architecture inspiration and the incorporation of natural materials. I would love to incorporate the principles of Buddhist temple architecture, such as two story ceilings and clerestory windows. I want to evoke a feeling of sustainability while also allowing visitors to feel luxurious and exclusive in the space. Creating this feeling of sustainability and connection to nature will encourage users and passersby to incorporate these principles into their daily lives. As a designer, sustainability is something that is near and dear to my heart in an otherwise unsustainable world. If I can promote environmental practices, I will do it!
section nine l 111
Section One Endnotes
1. Borang, Kajsa Krishni. 2013. Principles of Reiki : What It Is, How It Works, and What It Can Do for You. London: Singing Dragon, 2013. eBook Academic Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed July 20, 2017). 2. 2. Hoel, Helge, Kate Sparks, and Cary L. Cooper. "The cost of violence/stress at work and the benefits of a violence/stress-free working environment." Geneva: International Labour Organization (2001): 81. 3. Hoel, "The cost of violence/stress", 83. 4. "Our Organization." Our Organization - The Reiki Alliance. Accessed August 24, 2017. http://www.reikialliance.com/en/article/ourorganization. 5. "Reiki | International association of REIKI professionals IARP." Reiki | International association of REIKI professionals IARP. Accessed August 24, 2017. https://www.iarpreiki.org/. 6. Abbott, Alison. “Stress and the city: Urban decay.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 10 Oct. 2012, www.nature.com/news/ stress-and-the-city-urban-decay-1.11556. Accessed 27 Aug. 2017. 7. Lederbogen, Florian, Peter Kirsch, Leila Haddad, Fabian Streit, Heike Tost, Philipp Schuch, Stefan Wüst, et al. 2011. City living and urban upbringing affect neural social stress processing in humans. Nature 474 (7352): 498-501. 500. 8. "QuickFacts." U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts selected: Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. April 2010. Accessed August 24, 2017. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/philadelphiacountypennsylvania/RHI105210. 9. "Philadelphia: Economy." Philadelphia: Economy - Major Industries and Commercial Activity, Incentive ProgramsNew and Existing Businesses. 2016. Accessed August 24, 2017. http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Northeast/Philadelphia-Economy.html. 10. Chrisman, Linda. "Meditation." In Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health, edited by Gale. 2nd ed. Gale, 2013. https://ezproxy. philau.edu/login?url=http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/galegnaah/meditation/0?institutionId=55
Contents + Section One Images
1. Reiki energy healing. http://www.windsoulstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/reiki-energy-healing.jpg. 2. http://www.moticise.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/meditating.jpg 3. 51f76230. https://i.mywishis.in/s/i/wishes/12/34/470x0_1234ca01a36bab0414261b082f26b36d___jpg____4_51f76230.jpg. 4. 3925975_orig. http://samanthakatz.weebly.com/uploads/6/0/9/5/60956505/3925975_orig.jpg. 5. 94st. http://img.jp14.com/uploads/allimg/201608/51/94st.jpg
Section Two Endnotes
1. Wynne, Alexander. The origin of Buddhist meditation. London: Routledge, 2007. 3. 2. Swearer, Donald K. 2010. The buddhist world of southeast asia. 2nd ed. Albany: State University of New York Press. 52-53. 3. “The Key Architectural Elements Required to Design Yoga and Meditation Spaces.” ArchDaily. October 18, 2016. Accessed August 31, 2017. 4. Pagis, Embodying Enlightenment, 473. 5. Alexander, The Temples of Lhasa, 23-24. 6. Alexander, The Temples of Lhasa, 24. 7. “Vipassana Meditation Center – Dhamma Dharā.” Vipassana Meditation Center – Dhamma Dharā | About The Center. Accessed September 04, 2017. http://www.dhara.dhamma.org/about/the-center/. 8. “The Key Architectural Elements Required to Design Yoga and Meditation Spaces.” ArchDaily. October 18, 2016. Accessed August 31, 2017. http://www.archdaily.com/797259/the-key-architectural-elements-required-to-design-yoga-and-mediation-spaces. 9. Pagis, M. (2010). From abstract concepts to experiential knowledge: Embodying enlightenment in a meditation center. Qualitative Sociology, 33(4), 474. 10. “The Key Architectural Elements Required to Design Yoga and Meditation Spaces.” ArchDaily. October 18, 2016. Accessed August 31, 2017. http://www.archdaily.com/797259/the-key-architectural-elements-required-to-design-yoga-and-mediation-spaces. 11. Pagis, Embodying Enlightenment, 475. 12. “Floating.” Float Rooms USA. Accessed August 31, 2017. http://floatroomsusa.com/floating/. 13. Lin, Wei-Cheng. Building a Sacred Mountain: The Buddhist Architecture of China’s Mount Wutai.Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2014. https://muse.jhu.edu/ (accessed September 5, 2017).
Section Two Images
1. Potala Palace during the 1959 Tibetan Uprising. In Https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqO2rXFXpPc/WDdBRGu294I/AAAAAAAAHFo/ de5DjVB9-rEP-j056q759xbKr56smdgnwCLcB/s1600/potala_25.jpg. 2. Morning Prayers Buddhist Monk. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/49/e7/37/49e73722c5ec391a6bcae68f47bfb09d--morning-prayersbuddhist-monk.jpg. 3. Yoga London Yoga Sweat. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/3c/70/2f/3c702f68787b5a13f4471f284984712c--yoga-london-yogasweat.jpg 4. Meditation. http://umanovo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Meditation.jpg
Section Three Endnotes
1. "Our Brooklyn." Our Brooklyn - Williamsburg History. Accessed September 07, 2017. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/ourbrooklyn/ williamsburg/. 2. Penn, Alyson. "Flatiron District, NY: Flatiron Building, Eataly, Madison Square Park." NYCgo.com. April 26, 2017. Accessed September 12, 2017. https://www.nycgo.com/articles/must-see-flatiron-district-slideshow. 3. ArchDaily, "Naman Spa / MIA Design Studio." ArchDaily. July 21, 2015. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.archdaily. com/770560/naman-spa-mia-design-studio. 4. Dezeen, "Vietnam spa by MIA Design Studio features latticed walls and hanging gardens." Dezeen. April 18, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.dezeen.com/2015/07/23/naman-spa-mia-design-studio-latticed-walls-hanging-gardens-poolsvietnam/. 5. Central Intelligence Agency, "The World Factbook: VIETNAM." Central Intelligence Agency. September 08, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/vm.html. 6. "Da Nang City, Central Coast Vietnam." Offroad Vietnam Adventures. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://offroadvietnam.com/ vietnam-info/basic-details/da-nang-city. 7. ArchDaily, “Naman Spa”, 1. 8. ArchDaily, “Naman Spa”, 1. 9. ArchDaily, “Naman Spa”, 2. 10. "Ritual House of Yoga stretching, expanding, breathing in new space on 19th Ave E." CHS Capitol Hill Seattle. February 16, 2017. Accessed September 30, 2017. http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2017/02/ritual-house-of-yoga-stretching-expanding-breathing-innew-space-on-19th-ave-e/. 11. "Ritual House of Yoga moves into longtime theater space on 19th Ave E." CHS Capitol Hill Seattle. May 01, 2015. Accessed September 30, 2017. http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2015/05/ritual-house-of-yoga-moves-into-longtime-theater-space-on-19thave-e/. 12. "Ritual House of Yoga moves into longtime theater space on 19th Ave E." 1. 13. "Ritual House of Yoga stretching, expanding, breathing in new space on 19th Ave E." 1. 14. "Moving to Seattle? Here's What Living Here is Like." RubyHome. June 16, 2017. Accessed October 03, 2017. https://www. rubyhome.com/communities/moving-to-seattle/. 15. "R i t u a l • house of yoga (@ritual.house) • Instagram photos and videos." Instagram. Accessed October 03, 2017. https://www. instagram.com/ritual.house/. 16. "Ritual House of Yoga / goCstudio." ArchDaily. October 01, 2015. Accessed September 30, 2017. http://www.archdaily. com/774176/ritual-house-of-yoga-gocstudio. 17. "WeatherSpark.com." Average Weather in Seattle, Washington, United States, Year Round - Weather Spark. Accessed October 01, 2017. https://weatherspark.com/y/913/Average-Weather-in-Seattle-Washington-United-States-Year-Round. 18. ArchDaily, "Ritual House of Yoga”, 1. 19. ArchDaily, "Ritual House of Yoga”, 2. 20. ArchDaily, "Ritual House of Yoga”, 1. 21. "Moving to Seattle? ", 2. 22. ArchDaily, "Ritual House of Yoga”, 2.
Section Three Images
1. Wave. https://www.oceancapture.com/images/uploads/tours/63/jmc_6671-wave__popup.jpg. 2. Robbs, Julia. Meditation Room. https://www.hyphenandco.com/mndfl-williamsburg. 3. Robbs, Julia. Hall. https://www.hyphenandco.com/mndfl-williamsburg. 4. Exterior Shot 1, Williamsburg. Personal photograph by author. June 2017. 5. Robbs, Julia. Lobby. https://www.hyphenandco.com/mndfl-williamsburg. 6. Robbs, Julia. Lounge. https://www.hyphenandco.com/mndfl-williamsburg. 7. Robbs, Julia. Kitchen. https://www.hyphenandco.com/mndfl-williamsburg. 8. Inscape 2. https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/inscape-2.jpg. 9. Retail. TheFitTraveller. May 18, 2017. https://thefittraveller.com/move/yoga/inscape-new-yorks-hottest-new-meditation-space/. 10. Exterior. TheFitTraveller. May 18, 2017. https://thefittraveller.com/move/yoga/inscape-new-yorks-hottest-new-meditation-space/. 11. The Dome. TheFitTraveller. May 18, 2017. https://thefittraveller.com/move/yoga/inscape-new-yorks-hottest-new-meditationspace/. 12. The Alcove. TheFitTraveller. May 18, 2017. https://thefittraveller.com/move/yoga/inscape-new-yorks-hottest-new-meditationspace/. 13. Reception. TheFitTraveller. May 18, 2017. https://thefittraveller.com/move/yoga/inscape-new-yorks-hottest-new-meditationspace/. 14. Retail Shelf, Inscape Manhattan. Personal photograph by author. August 2017. 15. Awkward Space, Inscape Manhattan. Personal photograph by author. August 2017. 16. Hiroyuki, Oki. Lounge. Da Nang. In ArchDaily / Naman Spa. July 15, 2015. http://www.archdaily.com/770560/naman-spa-mia-design-
Section Three Images Cont.
17. Hiroyuki, Oki. Facade + Pool. Da Nang. In ArchDaily / Naman Spa. July 15, 2015. http://www.archdaily.com/770560/naman-spa-miadesign-studio/55ad9927e58ece0f540002eb-naman-spa-mia-design-studio-photo. 18. Hiroyuki, Oki. Exterior. Da Nang. In ArchDaily / Naman Spa. July 15, 2015. http://www.archdaily.com/770560/naman-spa-miadesign-studio/55ad9927e58ece0f540002eb-naman-spa-mia-design-studio-photo. 19. Hiroyuki, Oki. Reception. Da Nang. In ArchDaily / Naman Spa. July 15, 2015. http://www.archdaily.com/770560/naman-spa-miadesign-studio/55ad9927e58ece0f540002eb-naman-spa-mia-design-studio-photo. 20. Hiroyuki, Oki. Treatment Room. Da Nang. In ArchDaily / Naman Spa. July 15, 2015. http://www.archdaily.com/770560/naman-spamia-design-studio/55ad9927e58ece0f540002eb-naman-spa-mia-design-studio-photo. 21. Hiroyuki, Oki. Hanging Garden. Da Nang. In ArchDaily / Naman Spa. July 15, 2015. http://www.archdaily.com/770560/naman-spamia-design-studio/55ad9927e58ece0f540002eb-naman-spa-mia-design-studio-photo. 22. Hiroyuki, Oki. Natural Ventilation 2. Da Nang. In ArchDaily / Naman Spa. July 15, 2015. http://www.archdaily.com/770560/namanspa-mia-design-studio/55ad9927e58ece0f540002eb-naman-spa-mia-design-studio-photo. 23. Scott, Kevin. 9. Seattle. Accessed October 4, 2017. http://www.archdaily.com/774176/ritual-house-of-yoga-gocstudio/5602fe2 ce58ece79a500007a-ritual-house-of-yoga-gocstudio-photo. 24. Scott, Kevin. 3. Seattle. Accessed October 4, 2017. http://www.archdaily.com/774176/ritual-house-of-yoga-gocstudio/5602fe2 ce58ece79a500007a-ritual-house-of-yoga-gocstudio-photo. 25.Scott, Kevin. 6. Seattle. Accessed October 4, 2017. http://www.archdaily.com/774176/ritual-house-of-yoga-gocstudio/5602fe2c e58ece79a500007a-ritual-house-of-yoga-gocstudio-photo. 26.Scott, Kevin. 8. Seattle. Accessed October 4, 2017. http://www.archdaily.com/774176/ritual-house-of-yogagocstudio/5602fe2ce58ece 79a500007a-ritual-house-of-yoga-gocstudio-photo. 27. Scott, Kevin. 14. Seattle. Accessed October 4, 2017. http://www.archdaily.com/774176/ritual-house-of-yogagocstudio/5602fe2ce58ece 79a500007a-ritual-house-of-yoga-gocstudio-photo. 28.Scott, Kevin. 12. Seattle. Accessed October 4, 2017. http://www.archdaily.com/774176/ritual-house-of-yogagocstudio/5602fe2ce58ece 79a500007a-ritual-house-of-yoga-gocstudio-photo.
Section Four Endnotes
1. "The Key Architectural Elements Required to Design Yoga and Meditation Spaces." ArchDaily. October 18, 2016. Accessed October 05, 2017. 2. ArchDaily, “The Key Architectural Elements”, 1. 3. Wampler, Tanja, and Sharon O'Brien. "Healing House Interview." Interview by author. August 2017. 4. DeKay, Mark, and G. Z. Brown. 2014. Sun, wind, and light. Third ed. Hoboken: Wiley. 5. Wampler, Tanja, and Sharon O'Brien. "Healing House Interview." Interview by author. August 2017. 6. "Designing a Meditation Room Part 2." Designing a Meditation Room - Part 2. Accessed October 08, 2017. http://www.the-guidedmeditation-site.com/designing-a-meditation-room-part2.html. 7. Ermann, Michael A.. 2014. Architectural Acoustics Illustrated. Somerset: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated. Accessed October 9, 2017. ProQuest Ebook Central. 8. "Designing a Meditation Room”, http://www.the-guided-meditation-site.com/designing-a-meditation-room-part2.html. 9. Wampler, Tanja, and Sharon O'Brien. "Healing House Interview." Interview by author. August 2017. 10. Calori, Chris, David Vanden-Eynden, and Inc ebrary. 2015. Signage and wayfinding design: A complete guide to creating environmental graphic design systems. Second ed. Hoboken: Wiley. 11. Steinfeld, Edward and Jordana Maisel. Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments. 1. Aufl.;1; ed. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. 12. Steinfeld, Edward and Jordana Maisel. Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments. 1. Aufl.;1; ed. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. 263-280. 13. Steinfeld and Maisel, Universal Design, 287-289.
Section Four Images
1.Space for two meditation space. Accessed October 8, 2017. https://homebnc.com/homeimg/2016/06/01-space-for-twomeditation-spaces-homebnc.jpg. 2. Spa Rooms. Accessed October 9, 2017. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a6/57/5f/a6575fe4a0e41cea8ab38468648fff55.jpg. 3. Spa Rooms. Accessed October 9, 2017. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a6/57/5f/a6575fe4a0e41cea8ab38468648fff55.jpg. 4. Steinfeld, Edward and Jordana Maisel. Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments. 1. Aufl.;1; ed. Hoboken, N.J: John Wily & Sons, 2012. 263-280. 5. Zenithal window. Accessed October 9, 2017. http://www.lepetitoiseauvasortir.com/wp-content/uploads/slider11/4Studio-1-4.jpeg. 6. Outdoor barriers. Ermann, Michael A.. 2014. Architectural Acoustics Illustrated. Somerset: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated. Accessed October 9, 2017. ProQuest Ebook Central. 7. Acoustically enhanced ceiling. Accessed October 9, 2017. http://www.soundproofing.org/images/ceiling_proof.jpg 8. Steinfeld, Edward and Jordana Maisel. Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments. 1. Aufl.;1; ed. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. 260.
8a. Steinfeld, Edward and Jordana Maisel. Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments. 1. Aufl.;1; ed. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. 260. 9. Herbs and essential oils. September 12, 2017. http://cdn.skim.gs/images/v1/msi/jmxzb6rrhqejtenscwfs/essential-oil-salesconsultants-say-oils-can-cure-ebola
Section Five Endnotes
1. Whitfield, T. W. Allan and Jianne Whelton. "The Arcane Roots of Colour Psychology, Chromotherapy, and Colour Forecasting." Color Research & Application 40, no. 1 (2015): 99-106. 2. Leadbeater, CW. The Chakras. Wheaton, IL: Quest Books; 1972, 1927. p 97. 3. Rodrigues, Neville and Megha Deuskar. "A Study of the Effect of Color Meditation on Relaxation States." Journal of Psychosocial Research 11, no. 1 (2016): 13. 4. Durak, Ayşe, Nilgün Camgöz Olguntürk, Cengiz Yener, Dilek Güvenç, and Yusuf Gürçınar. "Impact of Lighting Arrangements and Illuminances on Different Impressions of a Room." Building and Environment 42, no. 10 (2007): 3476-3482. 5. Five Scientifically Proven Reasons Why You should Meditate. London: Centaur Communications Ltd, 2013. 6. Five Scientifically Proven Reasons Why You should Meditate. London: Centaur Communications Ltd, 2013. 7. Duccio. "Duccio." The importance and benefits of meditation. Accessed October 24, 2017. https://howtobehappy.guru/why-ismeditation-so-important-and-why-it-can-help-us-to-feel-happier/.
Section Five Images
1. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1117/0376/products/CF_Home_Oils_12.2016_-13.jpg?v=1486486507 2. https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2617096/chakra-healing-background.jpg 3. https://s-i.huffpost.com/gen/3373874/images/o-RELAX-facebook.jpg 4. http://www.dailydetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/buddha-zen.jpg
Section Six Endnotes
1. Windfinder.com. "Wind and weather statistic Philadelphia Int. Airport." Windfinder.com. Accessed November 09, 2017. https://www. windfinder.com/windstatistics/philadelphia_airport. 2. "History of Philadelphia." Ushistory.org. Accessed November 09, 2017. http://www.ushistory.org/philadelphia/philadelphia.html. 3. "History of Philadelphia." Ushistory.org. Accessed November 09, 2017. http://www.ushistory.org/philadelphia/philadelphia.html. 4. The Navy Yard | A Campus Built for Business Growth | Philadelphia, PA. Accessed November 19, 2017. http://www.navyyard.org/ about-the-campus/history. 5. "Consortium for Building Energy Innovation - CBEI." The Navy Yard | A Campus Built for Business Growth | Philadelphia, PA. Accessed November 19, 2017. http://www.navyyard.org/impact/tenant-profiles. 6. Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Accessed November 19, 2017. http://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/archive/broad-street/.
Section Six Images
1. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Philadelphia_Naval_Shipyard.jpg/1200px-Philadelphia_Naval_Shipyard. jpg 2. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/570ed61bc2ea519da2f545a1/t/570ed93b1d07c0b5ca6aa3e2/1460590911862/ Cityscape+Philadelphia+sunset_Ultra+HD.jpg?format=2500w 3. http://www.pidcphila.com/images/uploads/billboards/billboard_homepage_arial_render.jpg 4. http://www.tdworld.com/sites/tdworld.com/files/uploads/2015/11/Master%20Plan%202013%20District%20Plan%20-%20 hi-res.jpg 5. https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6akwtVL8yhw/maxresdefault.jpg 6. https://www.asla.org/2014awards/img/326-02_mini-1.jpg
Section Seven + Eight Images
1. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/565395eee4b00a349c2a3f04/t/57a37bb6d2b857069214b7bc/1470331885060/ Breathe-Yoga-Shot-2.jpg?format=2500w 1. https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5013/1ba6/28ba/0d06/5800/10fc/slideshow/stringio.jpg?1413998872 2. https://www.asla.org/2014awards/img/326-02_mini-1.jpg 3. Google Maps - 5101 S. 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Section Nine Images
1. https://draxe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/bigstock-essential-oils-and-medical-flo-68243479-1.jpg 2. http://centerforanxietydisorders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/mindfulness-training-large.jpg
Bibliography Alexander, Andre. 2005. The temples of lhasa: Tibetan buddhist architecture from the 7th to the 21st centuries. Vol. 1. Chicago: Serindia. ArchDaily. "The Key Architectural Elements Required to Design Yoga and Meditation Spaces." October 18, 2016. Accessed August 31, 2017. http://www.archdaily.com/797259/the-key-architectural-elements-required-todesign-yoga-and-mediation-spaces. Calori, Chris, David Vanden-Eynden, and Inc ebrary. 2015. Signage and wayfinding design: A complete guide to creating environmental graphic design systems. Second ed. Hoboken: Wiley. "Consortium for Building Energy Innovation - CBEI." The Navy Yard | A Campus Built for Business Growth | Philadelphia, PA. Accessed November 19, 2017. http://www.navyyard.org/impact/tenant-profiles. DeKay, Mark, and G. Z. Brown. 2014. Sun, wind, and light. Third ed. Hoboken: Wiley. Duccio. "Duccio." The importance and benefits of meditation. Accessed October 24, 2017. https://howtobehappy. guru/why-is-meditation-so-important-and-why-it-can-help-us-to-feel-happier/. Durak, Ayşe, Nilgün Camgöz Olguntürk, Cengiz Yener, Dilek Güvenç, and Yusuf Gürçınar. "Impact of Lighting Arrangements and Illuminances on Different Impressions of a Room." Building and Environment 42, no. 10 (2007): 3476-3482. Ermann, Michael A.. 2014. Architectural Acoustics Illustrated. Somerset: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated. Accessed October 9, 2017. ProQuest Ebook Central. Five Scientifically Proven Reasons Why You should Meditate. London: Centaur Communications Ltd, 2013. "Floating." Float Rooms USA. Accessed August 31, 2017. http://floatroomsusa.com/floating/. "History of Philadelphia." Ushistory.org. Accessed November 09, 2017. http://www.ushistory.org/philadelphia/ philadelphia.html.
Leadbeater, CW. The Chakras. Wheaton, IL: Quest Books; 1972, 1927. p 97. Lin, Wei-Cheng. Building a Sacred Mountain: The Buddhist Architecture of China's Mount Wutai.Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2014. https://muse.jhu.edu/ (accessed September 5, 2017). Pagis, M. (2010). From abstract concepts to experiential knowledge: Embodying enlightenment in a meditation center. Qualitative Sociology, 33(4), 469-489. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11133-010-9169-6 "Ritual House of Yoga moves into longtime theater space on 19th Ave E." CHS Capitol Hill Seattle. May 01, 2015. Accessed September 30, 2017. http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2015/05/ritual-house-of-yoga-moves-intolongtime-theater-space-on-19th-ave-e/. "Ritual House of Yoga stretching, expanding, breathing in new space on 19th Ave E." CHS Capitol Hill Seattle. February 16, 2017. Accessed September 30, 2017. http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2017/02/ritual-house-ofyoga-stretching-expanding-breathing-in-new-space-on-19th-ave-e/. Rodrigues, Neville and Megha Deuskar. "A Study of the Effect of Color Meditation on Relaxation States." Journal of Psychosocial Research 11, no. 1 (2016): Steinfeld, Edward and Jordana Maisel. Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments. 1. Aufl.;1; ed. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Swearer, Donald K. 2010. The buddhist world of southeast asia. 2nd ed. Albany: State University of New York Press. "Vipassana Meditation Center – Dhamma Dharā." Vipassana Meditation Center – Dhamma Dharā | About The Center. Accessed September 04, 2017. http://www.dhara.dhamma.org/about/the-center/. Wampler, Tanja, and Sharon O'Brien. "Healing House Interview." Interview by author. August 2017. Whitfield, T. W. Allan and Jianne Whelton. "The Arcane Roots of Colour Psychology, Chromotherapy, and Colour Forecasting." Color Research & Application 40, no. 1 (2015): 99-106. Wynne, Alexander. The origin of Buddhist meditation. London: Routledge, 2007.
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Appendix + Dedications Special Thanks to... My Capstone Committee: Capstone R+P Professor: Donna Weaverling Daley, AIA, ASID, IDEC, NCIDQ Adjunct Professor at Philadelphia University E: DaleyD@philau.edu
Capstone Design Professor: Marta Anez Adjunct Professor at Philadelphia University E: DaleyD@philau.edu
Advisor: Tanja Wampler Owner and healer at Unity Healing House T: 732.571.5011
Advisor: Sharon O'Brien Healer at Unity Healing House E: SObrienche@gmail.com
My Support System: Thank you for everything you have done for me, both mentally and financially. Thank you for encouraging and supporting the finding of my third eye and the incredible gifts and burdens that it comes with. Thank you for believing in me when I did not believe in myself. And most of all, thank you for listening to me whine and stress-cry these past four years.
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