Community Mental Wellness Center
Addressing the mental health epidemic through the design of a
D obr ot h
Master of Architecture Thesis Neis I U of Oregon I Spring 3013
M e ga n
Un spo ken
Me gan
Dobroth
megan.dobroth@gmail.com 2 0 8 . 2 8 4 . 8 7 9 4
Table of Contents Issue Concept Program Site Urban Plan section floor plans Elevations Facade Treatment process
ISSUE Nationally
Locally
Prevalence of Illness
Estimated # of millions of Americans affected
Oregon’s suicide rate is 35% higher than the national average
cancer 9.8 M (“Mental Healthcare Reform”)
less than 1 in 6
# of people with serious mental illness who
received minimally adequate treatment
national avg
35%
23 M
diabetes 13 M
(Wang)
vs. National Average
44 M
mental illness heart disease
Oregon Suicide Rate
(Bernstein)
Number of Calls
!
to Oregon Partnership’s Suicide Lifeline
11,303
2008
19,016
2010 (Bernstein)
Social Injustice U.S. Dept of Justice Report, 2012 14-month investigation confirmed that Portland police engage (present tense) in "a pattern or practice of unnecessary or unreasonable force during interactions with people who have or are perceived to have mental illness." (Duin)
in Portland Police Dept’s treatment of the mentally ill May 14, 2010
Acting Sgt. Mathew Delenikos, responding to a report that an Old Town irregular was spitting on cars, pepper-sprayed Aaron Ferguson then fired his Taser four times when Ferguson refused to be handcuffed. August 15, 2010
Officer Joshua Sparks four times fired his Taser at a naked and unarmed diabetic undergoing a medical emergency. May 15, 2011
Officer Richard Storm punched Fausto Brambila-Naranjo seven to 10 times in the face when Brambila-Naranjo, who'd been standing in the rain for more than an hour, kicked at Storm and missed. (Jung)
Break up the solid face block
Pull apart the dense block
Insert nature into the voids
PLACE roof gardens
t o c r e at e a va r i e d s t r e e t e d g e
to allow sunlight and program separation
b o t h p u b l i c a n d p r i vat e a c c e s s
to utilize southern exposure
CONCEPT STATEMENT How can architecture address this throbbing issue? Through the development of a community mental health facility, the design explores the effects of the built environment on the psychological wellbeing of its users. More specifically, critical attention was given to the design community integration, user relationship with the natural environment, and the development of safe spaces as these aspects present a particular challenge in urban settings. Creating an iconic building to house this program also increases public awareness and gives a voice to an unspoken epidemic. By fighting for the mental wellness of Portland’s citizens, we are fighting for the health of the city as a greater whole.
PROGRAM EDUCATION
Community Outreach: Art Gallery Exhibition Presentations & Lectures
Extended Learning: Classes / Workshops Career Development Awareness Training
ADVOCACY
Community Focused: Addressing Public Policy Awareness campaigns Political lobbying Organization of movement
Community Focused: Art Therapy Stress Management Conflict Management Self-Healing Practices Resource Management
supportive h o u s i n g 27 Studio Units Community Kitchen Space 7 Case Management Offices
SERVICE
Clinical: Individual Therapy Crisis Management Prescription Management Pharmacy
Housing: Transitional Housing Social Workers
HOUSING
Single Room Apartments Community Rooms Admin. Office Case Worker Offices
CLINIC
Reception, Waiting Area Group Therapy Psychiatry Psychology Medication Dispensary Crisis Management, “Calm Room” Nurses Station / Staff Room
COMMUNITY
Yoga, Self-Healing Strategies Art Therapy Lectures, Presentations, events Exhibit, Art Gallery Classrooms Action Center, Advocacy Offices
PEARL
OLD TOWN
DOWNTOWN
SITE
PORTLAND
Burnside
Burnside
Burnside
y ad
Mo
rri
son
Morr iso Bridg n e
Vehicular Traffic
Ald
Mo
rri
k
ton
er
son
Bike Lanes
Ald
Mo
rri
3rd
ito
shi
rk
ng
ton
er
son
MAX Lines
Na
ito
ng
Wa
Na
shi
3rd
4th ito
Na
ton
Sta
rk
r
er
Oa
Pion ee
Pion ee
r
Ald
ng
Wa
r
shi
Sta
rk
Pion ee
Wa
3rd
Sta
k
4th
Oa
Bro
k
4th
Oa
Bro
ad
wa
y wa
wa ad Bro
site analysis
y
SW STARK & SW 4th
C O N T E X T
Street Life
Historic Facades
Local Businesses
food ca r t po c k et pa r k
urban plan
Community Green Space MAX line Planned intervention Proposed Densification Contribution to Urban Fabric
Low-Income Housing
Mixed-use development
ViewS to nature
p r o g r a m connections
resp
ond
w vie
C o n t e x t response
to n e
igh
bor
’s w
ind
ows
section
Meeting Rm Parking Entry
Housing Office
Housing Commons
Event Room
Cliniction p Rece
Cafe
Waiting Rm Healing Art Gallery
Main Entry
1 Floor Plan
3
2 Art Studio
5
4
6
Healing Gardens
West
East
Elevations
South
SUStainability
Green
Roof
S h a d i n g d e v i c e s
T h e r m a l C h i m n e y
Facade treatment Terracotta Panels
F r o s t e d Polycarbonate screen
Wooden Columns
Planter
Benches
wall section
P ROCE SS WORK
precedents Chicap Poetry Foundation
De Young Art Museum
Noain City Hall
exploration of form:
process models
exploration of form:
3 prelimina ry c o nc epts
1 I View Corridors
2 I wrapping
3 I shift
exploration of form:
3 p r e l i mi na r y co n cep t s
1 I View Corridors
2 I wrapping
3 I shift
revised design: p r oc es s c on cep t m od el
revised design: process concept & section
Megan
D obr oth
megan.dobroth@gmail.com 2 0 8 . 2 8 4 . 8 7 9 4