Mobile and Modular Rebalance Refocus Reset

Having little experienced inspiration for escape/panic spaces, I have looked at the Reset Stress Reduction Pods by Unstudio. These pods aim to help tackle this issue by allowing people to take a break from everyday pressures to rebalance, refocus and reset, adressing the urgent need for stress relief in the workplace by empowering people to deal with stress more effectively. The pods link up to an app that measures stress, so that the pods can adjust accoridngly. I will look to encoporate this in my own design, but I have mainly looked at the shape and flexibility of these pods

The used shape for these pods allows the design to modular, and therefore easily mobile and flexible to different spaces. I have also experimented with different shapes that maywork. I have futher gone on to experiment with curves, to reduce stress. I found that simple circles didnt fit as well together as other shapes, but any tesselating and straight edge shapes were better. I can use any of these shapes depending on the space, and what shape fits better with it

Core Strategies Visualization

When looking at the main types of spaces in t building, in order to treat mental health, the spaces need to focus on improving and relaxing both the mind and body, as well as for education and reserach. Based on the spaces I think may belong in my building, I have visualised what these spaces could like through photoshop collage , seperating the spaces into mind, body and education spaces.

User Needs - Catering to Neurodivergence and Mental Health

A significant number of people find certain aspects of the built environment uncomfortable, distressing or a barrier to their u se. Stress and anxiety, often referred to as “sensory overload” results from the bombardment of sensory stimuli experienced without the ability to filter, or from spacial perception difficulties due to proprioception differences. People vary in their required proxemics, due to cultural and/ or neurological differences. The increased demand on an individual of the associated increased cognitive load (such as trying t o filter out unwanted environmental distractors or noise, maintain focus, perhaps also trying to control impulsive urges to fidget or stop the mind wandering, or to contain internal estlessness) unsurpris ingly leads to increased anxiety, fatigue and, in some cases, poor mental health. However, with awareness of these variations in need, many of the potential negative impacts can be eliminated, reduced or adjusted wit h thoughtful design or management to create places where everyone can flourish equally, and are provided with an equal opportunity to work, live and socialise comfortably.

These factors gives guidance on the reducing the sesory input through design of the built environment in order to include the needs of people who experience sensory/neurological processing differences, however, since the neurodivergent community is made up of so many different individuals with vastly differing/contradicting needs, developing a set of guidelines that can be used to help everyone is difficult, and therefore, any existing guidelines focus specifically on autistic users because of this.

Aspectss

Taking into consideration all these factors, I have made a chart showing which strategies could be used to help each neurodivergent condition, looking at overlap, similarities and differences between what could be helpful design strategies for each condition.

Programme Layout

The program aims to take the rules of sensory zoning and transitions into account, but also while having a non crowded and sens ible layout, where spaces are categorised. I have placed panic/escape spaces near the highest stimuli spaces, for a quick escape from overload. The white spaces inbetween the sections will serve as transi tion zones such as comfortable corridor/lounge spaces.

Sensory Zoning

This criterion proposes that when designing for autism, spaces should be organized in accordance with their sensory quality, rather than typical functional zoning. This requires grouping spaces according to their allowable stimulus level, into “high-stimulus” and “low-stimulus” with transition zones aiding the shift from one zone to the next.

Transitions

The presence of transition zones helps the user recalibrate their senses as they move from one level of stimulus to the next. Such zones can take on a variety of forms and may be anything from a distinct node that indicates a shift, to a full sensory room that allows the sensory re-calibration before transitioning from an area of high-stimulus to one of low-stimulus.

Through this I have aimed to create a gradient from the outside in, from high stimulus to low stimulus as a neurodivergent person is more likely to deal with issues in a high stimuli environment, so therefore means that when overwhelmed, they can leave the high stimulus space and exit through only low stimulus spaces to not create sensory overload.

Diagramtic visualization

Programme in Context

Here, I have looked at putting my programmatic diagrams in context with the site shape and entrance routes. I have looked at site strategy and also sensory and transition zoning in context with the shape of the site. I firstly looked at site strategy, looking at travel routes and possible entries to the site, and then went on to create a rough program diagram on the site.

Site Strategy

Layout maintains sensory and transition zones and provides easy exit and access points to high stimuli areas that need it

Rough Programming

Shop space will also have a seperate entrance for users who only need to shop to supply an easy exit to this high stimuli area

Food space and physical well being spaces placed near garden for views purpose

Gym is high stimuli compared to the rest of physical well being so needs to be in the high stimuli zone

24hr clinic and self help spaces must use private entry along cycle and pedestrian path which also allows ease of access to clients that need low stimuli

Staff spaces should have both high stimuli and low stimuli spaces

Both staff spaces and education spaces are mostly private areas

Volumetric Exploration

Iteration 1 laying out spcaes in context according to sensory zoning

Iteration 2 attempting to make a middle courtyard/garden space

Iteration 3 experimenting with levels

Atrium and Relaxation 758.24m2

Study spaces - 709.02m2

Education spaces - 1392.82m2

Staff spaces - 1028.30m2

Food space - 274.95m2

Essential and General spaces - 809.56m2

Physical well being spaces - 1065.63m2

Self Help spaces - 66190m2

Individual Space Volumes

I have gone on to looking at putting my spaces into volumes to give a more accurate representation of how they might fit on the site. I have also grouped the spaces into their respective sections, and coloured them in green and blue to seperate them but also seperate them into High stimuli dominated (green) and low stimuli dominated (blue) to focus on sensory zoning. From experimenting with the mass sizes of these spacials, I foud that the digital spect of the massing made the structure less physical, and it was harder to realistically fit th e blocks to the site when they were just blocks

Generative Form

Looking at what contributes to a mental healing process and helps neurodivergent people in architecture, this has inspired my f orm generation. I have looked mostly at optimising the space while using curves along with creating an enclosed garden space which will be a quiter and a more private space for users. I have also look ed at curved ceilings, which my tutor reccomended as something that is helpful to those who are neurodivergent.

starting with a rounded shape to ensure curved walls and experiment with space e xperimenting with shape of site and maximising space reducing size of shape so that landscaping can be considered

Curved Walls reduces fear of corners, better perception of space, gives softness curving out the shape and further maximising the space adding a garden space in the middle curving out the garden space to keep curved walls attempting to optimise garden space using an oval shape offseting original shape to create similar shaped space for garden to optimise space adding a curved ceiling to keep curves consitent within the structure

Green Courtyards

Public yet private space, proper lighting, connects with nature, horticulture therapy

Iterative Process with Rough Volume

Using the outline of the form I developed on the last page, I have fit in the rough sizes of the spaces I would like to have in my building, to give a better idea of the program within the space before developing a plan drawing. This also allows me to see the 3d volume of the floors and how they may look and develop the placement of e ach space in reference to its function and the buildings function as a whole

Whe looking at the design process of the layout in the previous page, I revisitied public and private spaces within the site to inspire the layout of the building, looking at what parts of the building I wanted to serve private or public users.

In my analysis of the site, i have looked at vegetation to create semi private spaces, as well as public acces and possible views into the building. From my previous digram on pages 25 and 24, i was able to arrange the different spaces appropriatley

Precedent - Generative Formation of Roof

C ompletion - 2014

A rchitects - Diamond Schmitt Architects

Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Looking at the roof structure and design of the TRU Law School, I am greatly inspired by the way the natural surroundings and First Nations heritage informs the design of the roof, which makes a bold connection with the landscape while also fitting with the program to work with the key spaces and allow a larger scope of views across the landscape as user as well as shading the glass facade. This results in a sense of calm and connection with nature, and spatially engaging spaces with dynamic volumes that shift across its length.

4.

With Manchester being right next to the sweeping hills of the peak district and being inspired to incoprate nature further into my design while correlating with the function of opening up and creating more interesting key spaces. I also think this strategy works well with bringing more light into the spaces and height to create a better learning environment, as well as keeping the theme of curves and mental health prevalent in my design.

Precedent - Landscape Strategy

New

C ompletion - 2024

A rchitects - Herzog & de Meuron

416, New North Zealand Hospital, Hillerod, Denmark

1. Adding grass base2. Connecting key spaces

Looking at the Biophyllic design of the New North Zealand Hospital, I have been inspired by the connection that between sections of the building and the forrest like feel that the courtyard brings, on such a large scale, allowing a relaxing and social space for users of the hospital, which I am looking to replicate in my own design.

3. Adding vegetation to create forrest courtyard and timber walkway/ se -ating around perimeter

4. Adding further vegetation and seating around exterior

Going on to add these ideas to my own design, I have added vegetation and vegetation and pathways, and seating in the courtyard, as well as around the structure

Masterplan

The masterplan shows how the site will use and influence the surrounding infrastructure, such as the Brooks Building, the Car p ark, and the Energy Centre. It also shows the routes users will take on different transports, as well the delivery routes.

Precedent - Materiality and Structure

Helsinki Central Library

Oodi

C ompletion - December 2018

A rchitects - ALA Architects

Töölönlahdenkatu 4, 00100

Helsinki, Finland

Adaptable to curves of roof as it bends material bends effortlessly to a wide variety of shapes. It also refelcts the suns heat rays, reducing cooling costs, requires steel roof structure

Insulates from exterior noise of city centre and roads, creates elevated standards of noise reduction. Also very flexible and easy to work with, and the tiles offer various possibilities of shaping and modelling

Filters out excess usnlight and heat energy, and also prevents reflection and glare. Also works to allow people to see views, while obstructing views in from public. Furhter maximises use of daylight while preventing overheating, similar to diffusion glass

Burns slower than other woods and provides good acoustic treatment, maintaining a desired ambient noise level for a library. Also flexible and easy to mold round curves of structure. Also creates a natural and relaxing environment timber reduces the carbon footprint, conforms to the sweeping curves. The translucent coating system protects the timber against fires. The lamella also provides great acoustic treatment

Main Materiality and Structure

Again, Looking at what contributes to a mental healing process and helps neurodivergent people in architecture, I have further looked at materials that reduce the sesnory environment so that people with hypersensitivites do not become overwhelmed. I have also looked into connecting the materials with the environment, as well as providing privacy. The main things I have looked to reduce is harsh lighting and ambient noise levels.

Timber (Lamella) - Secondary Structure

Locally sourced woods such as timber are the most sustainable option, due to being renewable and giving off less carbon emissions. Lamella will also provide acoustic treatment, maintaining a desired ambient noise level and sound quality. Wood also creates a natural and relaxing environment.

Steel - Primary Structure

Steel is also a very recycled product in construction and structure, and is very easily reused, and any steel deck, joist or beam can be turned into something else. It is also very durable and strong structurally, but also flexible, so will be perfect for this type of structure

Diffusion/printed Glass - Windows/Walls

Provides a more evenly lit space than direct lighting. It makes the space more comfortable for everyone, but especially those with hypersensitivity. Also provides privacy from the roads outside, while stil allowing views outwards and control of overheating

Dyed Cork - Flooring

After research, I have found that cork floors also provide acoustic benefits and a softer feel under foot. Cork is also an inherently sustainable resource, both renewable and biodegradable.

Fire Circulation and Wayfinding

Fire regulations should be considered to ensure the safety of the users in the Mind and Body space. The distance to the nearest exits were considered for each level and geometry and I have made sure that there are staricases and lifts located near the exits

Table 2.1 Limitations on travel distance

5 Assembly and recreation: a. buildings primarily for disabled people:

9 (one escape) 18 (more than one escape) b. areas with seating in rows:

15 (one escape) 32 (more than one escape)

Table 2.2 Minimum number of escape routes and exits from a room, tier or storey:

Maximum number of people - Minimum number of escape routes/exits:

60 - 1

600 - 2

Fire protection of lift installtions

c. elsewhere 18 (one escape) 45 (more than one escape) Fire Exits a. Be sited within the enclosures of a protected stairway. b. Be enclosed with fire resisting construction (minimum REI 30) when in a position that might prejudice the means of escape c. elsewhere 18 (one escape) 45 (more than one escape)

5.34 Lift wells should comply with one of the following conditions.

Access

In accordance with document K, the ramps into the lecture theatre are loacted in clearly visible places, and follows the steepness guide of building regulations. the width does not exceed 18m, and provides suitable dimensions for wheelchair to manouvre and will include handrails.

Additionally, wheelchair lifts have been added in areas unsuitable for ramps and entrances sizable for wheelchair use

Circulation

all circulation routes are sized according to the regulations document, at a minimum of 2.4m wide

Staircases

Sustainability

While working through a climate emergency creating a need for lower carbon emissions, it is important to consider sustainabilit y in your work and the greater impact of your building. DUe to this, I have looked at the RIBA SUSTAINABLE OUTCOME GOALS, which provides sustainable solutions as a fundamental part of any architectural design process

Paths around building with cycle route and access to road

1. NET ZER O OPERATIONAL CARBON durable, low carbon and renewable materilaity lots of trees and green spaces

2. NET ZERO EMBODIED CARBON strong visual connectivity to outside while also maintaining glare control

Benches

3. SUSTAINABLE WATER CYCLE

Exisiting trees on site encorporated into design

Courtyard and recreational space

4. SUSTAINABLE CONNECTIVITY AND TRANSPORT

Paths interconnecting building to courtyard space biodiversity of trees and vegetation

5. SUSTAINABLE LAND USE AND ECOLOGY

6.GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

7. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES AND SOCIAL VALUE great acoustic comfort

Seating area around garden and walkway inclusive and accesible

8. SUSTAINABLE LIFE CYCLE COST