THE CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR TORTURE SURVIVORS >meditation and mindfulness through healing architecture sarah kershner | professor susanne siepl-coates | ads 8 | spring 2017
vision statement
“
A sanctuary that encourages meditation and mindfulness practices through a reflective and contemplative atmosphere
”
defining torture Torture aims to harm all parts of an individual, breaking down victims physically, mentally, and emotionally. Often, the effects of torture are persisting, causing survivors to continue to suffer from their trauma long after the act of torture has ended. The symptoms are varied, but often are related to post-traumatic stress disorder and may include intrusive thoughts, disrupted sleep, avoidance, and hyper-arousal (Pomfrey, 2016). building entrance & resource library
users
meditation & mindfulness
refugee countries of origin
program concept NUTRITION
MEDICAL
THERAPY
MEDITATION AND MINDFULLNESS
ADMINISTRATION
OUTDOOR SUPPORT
site location least refugees
program concept
mid-range most refugees
therapy meditation & mindfulness
daily users
engagement
15
formal staff -- 5 counselors, 2 nutritionists, 2 practitioners, & 2 nurses
meditation & mindfulness
36 therapy, nutrition, & medicine
32 20
administration & support
outdoor
prepare for interactions with therapists
preparation
coping with emotions that surface during therapy
less rumination acceptance instead of avoidance
compliance
administration -- 3 reception & library staff members, 10 administration staff, & 2 support staff members volunteers -- 5 instructors
perseverence through trauma processing
outdoors establishing a healing relationship with nature and the Earth, as well as establishing relationships with community
providing emotional support and coping skills for working through trauma
nutrition supporting whole-body wellness through the shared experience of cooking and consuming healthy food
medical
providing support and coordination of medical care during the healing process
administration providing financial, social, and logistic support for users of the facility, as well as the facility itself
Mindfulness is “commonly conceptualized as involving attention to and awareness of the present moments and nonjudgmental acceptance” (Vujanovic, 2016). The implementation of meditation and mindfulness practices have been shown to vastly improve the wellbeing of users with PTSD. Meditation heals the part of the brain where traumatic memories and emotions are stored, allowing survivors to take control of their lives. Several portions of the brain, including the amygdala, which controls the processing of potential threats, the hippocampus, which controls memories, and the pre-frontal cortex, which regulates behavior and fear responses, are often impacted by trauma and PTSD. Neuro-imaging techniques have shown that meditation and mindfulness practices have increased the function of these portions of the brain, allowing survivors to better regulate their response to stimuli by addressing the root of the symptoms (Wolkin, 2016).
design process
architectural idea sanctuary -- a place of refuge or safety
community -- connecting to locals and fostering relationships
the catherdral of christ the light -- som st. edward catholic church -- diloreto architecture thornecrown chapel -- e. fay jones least
wellness -- achieving mental, physical, social, and spiritual wellbeing
most
balance -- restoring a sense of equality to users’ lives path to sanctuary
building program
library & resource center
tai chi studio
yoga studio
group meditation
sacred space
materials
private meditation spaces
meditation & mindfulness
group therapy
living rooms
Materials were selected to encourage a feeling of warmth, comfort, naturalness, as well as to engage the senses. Through touch, sound, smell, and sight, users are more connected to the building. Sensory experiences allow users to strengthen their sense of reality and provides groundwork for forming ideas regarding perception and understanding of their environment (Pallasmaa, 2012).
counselors’ offices
therapy
kitchen
dining
nutritionists’ offices
nutrition charting room
medical nurse practicioners’ offices work room
exam room
medicine room
soiled & clean utility
medicine
open office
staff work room
conference staff break room room
lobby & facility medicine reception manager’s office director’s office
therapy director’s office
walls -- rammed earth
ceiling -- slatted wood
floor & roof -- concrete
ground cover -- gravel
paneling -- corten steel
structure -- steel
finance & entry nutrition director’s office billing
administration
mechanical room
storage
laundry room
janitorial public women’s room restroom
electrical public men’s room restroom
telecomm
staff restrooms
elevator machine room
support private courtyards
outdoor
scale -- 1/8” = 1’ - 0”
a-a | section through administration, library & resource center, & kitchen
Agriculture
Therapy
(Noise Barrier)
c Bu
Adams St
Community Garden
St
Albany Courthouse and Bay Area Marin Ave Cultural Connections
Wind
Meditation
Meditation Space Ohlone Sacred Circle
>Focuses: _ Site history _ Connections _ Permiability
Ohlone Ave Medical
Therapy Private Sunny Courtyard
>Focuses: _ Protected outdoor spaces _ Community influences _ Views and connectivity Jackson St
Horseshoe
Jackson St
Meditation
Meditation Space
Clinic and EFT Therapy
San Pablo Ave
Ohlone Ave
San Pablo Ave
San Pablo Ave
Madison St
St
Entry and Administration
Therapy and Acupuncture
Parking
Entry and Administration
Blossom
Jackson St
n
_ Intermediate courtyards _ Ease of access _ Centralization
(Noise Barrier)
Parking
Meditation Space
>Focuses:
na
Meditation Medical
Nutrition
Agriculture
Marin Ave
Marin Ave
Ohlone Ave
Community Garden
Public Shaded Courtyard
Wind
Nutrition
Wind
ha
St
Nutrition Therapy Medical
Ocean View Elementary School and Park
an an ch Bu
an an ch Bu
Entry and Administration
Parking
Adams St
Madison St
Adams St
Madison St
(Noise Barrier)
ity un s m ce m ur Co eso R
ity un s m ce m ur Co eso R
Agriculture
Albany Hill Park
Stream
site proposals Monroe Ave
Monroe Ave
Tenth St
Tenth St
context
Tenth St
Monroe Ave
Dartmouth St
Dartmouth St
Dartmouth St
The site is located in Albany, California, which has a population of 19,735 people as of 2015 (“Quick Facts California”). According to census information and the Center for Victims of Torture, it can be estimated that California is home to 221,891 survivors of torture, with approximately 66,567 of thos living in the Bay Area Region (“U.S. Home”).
the site loudest
public
quietest
semi-public semi-private private
noise
public vs. private
bus stop
pedestrian circulation
vehicle circulation
bike circulation
vehicle circulation
pedestrian circulation
The Bay Area and site have unique contextual conditions that create opportunities for the Center to connect to the surrounding community in meaningful ways. The site, known as the Gill Tract, is used by the University of California, Berkeley for agricultural research. The other portion is currently a community farm, which would remain as an important part of the community-oriented functions of the facility.
scale: 1/64” = 1’ -0”
scale: 1/64” = 1’ -0”
site plan
Another relevant characteristic of the Bay Area is its identity as a sanctuary city, which is a city which aims to provide protection for undocumented immigrants and refugees. San Francisco and the Bay Area take pride in their diversity and sense of inclusion (Cowan).
b-b | site section
mechanical
telecomm.
floor plan
laundry
electrical storage
1
a
janitorial elevator machine
men’s restroom locker area women’s restroom
basement floor plan
yoga studio
tai chi studio
sacred space
parking -80 spots 4 ada
b
conference room
b
meditation studio
group meditation courtyard
community garden
storage & service bike parking
daycare center
group therapy
group therapy
a library & resource center
facility medical director’s office office
a
charting room
nurse work area
open office
medical cleansoiled records utilityutility
finances & billing
kitchen & dining
lobby open office
therapy nutrition office office
work room
living room labyrinth
staff men’s staff women’s restroom restroom
waiting area
gathering area healing courtyard
women’s restroom
outdoor dining
courtyard private meditation
c
living room
men’s restroom living room
staff break room
open office
private meditation
open office
d
waiting area
private meditation
exam room
exam room
courtyard living room
living room
living room
courtyard waiting area
exam room living room
raised community garden planters
waiting area open office
courtyard private meditation
living room
community garden
d
0’ 5’ 10’
20’
50’
floor plan
scale -- 1/8” = 1’ - 0”
c-c | section through administration, library & resource center, & kitchen
precedent analysis windhover contemplative center -use of materials and creation of a contemplative space
bill & melinda gates foundation -framing of exterior space with building, views to context
_ aidlin darling design _ stanford, california _ 4,000 ft2
_ nbbj _ seattle, washington _ 640,000 ft2
de young museum -- connection between interior and exterior, use of courtyards
nk’mip cultural centre -- connection to region through natural materials, articulation of rammed earth
_ herzog & de meuron _ san francisco, california _ 293,000 ft2
_ hbbh architects _ osoyoos, british columbia 2 _17,200 ft
wall section
building diagrams Top Coat: Cemetitious Waterstop Sealer to Top of Parapet Puddled Earth Top Lift Prefinished Metal Flashing
1" Exterior Roofing Membrane 3/4" Plywood Sheathing Vapor Barrier 3" Rigid Insulation
Slatted Wood Ceiling @ 8" O.C.
8" Reinforced Rammed Earth Wall
parti
views
circulation
4" Polyisocyanurate Insulation
8" Reinforced Rammed Earth Wall
Puddled Earth
Double Pane Sealed Frameles
s Window - Silicone in Place
Continuous Clear-Finish Window Stop and Trim (Top and Bottom)
Puddled Earth
public Compacted Gravel
private 6" Concrete Slab on Grade
public vs. private
Vapor Barrier Compacted Gravel 3" Rigid Insulation
Concrete Foundation
staff community introspective
community vs. introspective
scale -- 1/8” = 1’ - 0”
d-d | section through living rooms & meditation rooms in counseling suites
promoting healing
According to author Wilbert Gesler, healing is a multi-dimensional process that occurs throught 4 different facets (Gesler, 1941) -natural -- experience nature through the journey of the building, including direct access to nature, views to nature, daylighting, natural ventilation, and biophilia built -- promote a meditative journey, including openings, light, views, height, color, texture, interaction with urban context, frame outdoor spaces and views, variations in privacy, user control symbolic -- avoiding stigmatizing concepts regarding mental healthcare and ptsd, use of water, sensory experience, nature, colors, and materials social -- sense of equality between patients and users, no visual boundaries, giving sense of individual space, allowing users a sense of control, facilitating interaction between users, and promoting community involvement
group therapy room
light
access to nature
Users have access to light through clerestories connecting spaces, skylights, and window walls that allow daylight to wash entire walls.
Access to two large courtyards, as well as individual courtyards within the couseling suites, gives users direct access to nature. Views from the large courtyard to the surrounding context avoid creating the feeling of being trapped.
_Studies include: Joseph, Quan et al.
_Studies include: Kaplan, Ulrich
social interaction
inclusiveness
Social interaction is fostered through the creation of small seating areas in the interstitial spaces of the hallways. Community bonds are fostered through community-oriented program and aims to be inclusive of those with disabilities.
As users may not speak English, wayfinding for the counseling suites is done through a series of art display niches instead of words. Living room areas, mediation rooms, and open offices give both staff and users a sense of ownership of their space.
_Studies include: Ozcan, Dijkstra et. al
scale -- 1/8” = 1’ - 0”
_Studies include: Interviews from ‘Survivors’
west elevation
entrance to group meditation
healing courtyard
counseling suite waiting area
counseling suite living room