Sensory Rejuvenation Retreat
Sensory Urbanism: A Prescription for Holistic Well-being in Accelerated Environments
In response to the growing societal pressures that prioritize speed and productivity over human well-being, this thesis introduces an architectural solution that aims to transform the perception of mental health care.
The proposed holistic healing centre leverages environmental and coastal attributes to create a sanctuary for those seeking respite from the demands of modern life. It is designed not only as a therapeutic space but also as a beacon for a broader societal shift toward holistic health and a more compassionate approach to mental health care. The design challenges the stigmas often associated with mental health institutions by presenting a welcoming, aesthetically appealing environment that invites participation and interaction. By embodying an architectural form that exudes beauty and tranquillity, the centre seeks to normalize the concept of seeking help for mental health, thereby reducing the stigma and shame typically attached to such care. The architectural design intentionally moves away from the rigid, sterile environments commonly associated with mental health facilities, focusing instead on warmth, inclusion, and community.
Moreover, the design’s emphasis on coastal elements serves a dual purpose: not only does it promote environmental sustainability, but it also provides a soothing and restorative setting for users. By integrating features such as hydrotherapy pools, green roofs, and open-air spaces, the centre creates a seamless connection between architecture and the natural world, allowing users to immerse themselves in a tranquil environment that encourages mindfulness and relaxation. A key component of the design is its approach to circulation within the building. Unlike conventional designs that prioritize efficiency and rapid movement, this centre’s circulation pathways are deliberately designed to encourage reflection, connection, and pause. By creating a sense of journey and allowing for intentional breaks throughout the space, the architecture encourages users to slow down and experience the present moment. This approach aligns with the centre’s overarching philosophy of promoting mental well-being through thoughtful and human-centric design.
As architects, there is an opportunity and responsibility to create spaces that support the emotional and psychological needs of users, rather than conforming solely to the demands of productivity and efficiency. This design serves as a reminder that architecture has the power to shape our experiences and influence our well-being. By prioritizing human connections, inspiration, and moments of respite, architects can contribute to a more
balanced and compassionate society.
In summary, this holistic healing centre stands as a model for a new approach to architectural design—one that prioritizes human well-being, encourages environmental sustainability, and seeks to break down the barriers associated with mental health care. Through thoughtful design choices, this thesis advocates for an architecture that not only responds to societal pressures but also actively challenges them, offering a path toward a more humane and intentional way of building and living
Architectural Interests | Providing ability to chose path and increase serendipitous moments
Unconventional Thresholds – Breaking down conventional thresholds= Enter Exit building from sea, From extending pathway into building, From top of cliff face
The In-between – Meandering paths through site, Routes(journey) to and between water
The Journey – from city to Island
Circulation – Means to slow our pace down and encourage serendipitous moments
Connection – To nature and to people
Centre at Sensory Rejuvenation Retreat | Narration 01 | From the Experiential View of Patient
As you step onto the winding path leading to the holistic healing retreat, the world seems to soften. Dense clusters of trees arch over you, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze, like nature whispering her welcome. The joyful symphony of birdsong serenades you, and the scent of fresh earth and pine fill your senses, inviting you to leave behind the chaos of the city.
The path ahead is a tapestry of earth tones and foliage, each turn offering a new perspective. As the trail curves into the landscape, the environment begins to enclose you, coaxing your focus inward. A rammed earth wall rises alongside, its textured surface rough yet warm to the touch. You let your fingers glide along its length, the sensation grounding you in the present moment. This path, like a gentle guide, keeps you on course while also encouraging you to explore your surroundings.
As the trail leads you closer to the retreat, the sound of waves crashing in the distance beckons, a promise of tranquillity. The path opens up, revealing glimpses of the vast ocean ahead. You find yourself elevated, almost levitating, above the sea, a moment that connects you with the boundless horizon. Here, time seems to slow, and you pause to soak in the panorama, the edge of the world stretched before you.
Continuing on, you approach the main entrance, where a small alcove offers a shaded spot beneath a green roof lush with wildflowers. It’s an invitation to sit, to pause, and to soak in the beauty around you. The entrance is modest, a subtle threshold into a world designed for healing.
Inside, the reception area greets you with a shimmering light cascading from a skylight above. The light creates patterns on the floor, reminiscent of gentle waves on a sandy beach. The sound of murmured conversations and the distant echo of the sea create a serene ambiance, allowing you to settle in. As you peer over the railing, the spiralling path below reveals the intricate layout of the retreat, a graceful journey that spirals downward, inviting exploration.
The floor ahead opens into a series of spaces designed for mindfulness and reflection. On your left, the counselling rooms are framed by an ascending radial timber structure, creating a rhythmic pattern that symbolizes growth. The timber’s warmth and natural grain speak to the organic journey you’re embarking on, a journey that is both personal and grounded in nature.
The counselling rooms are intimate, with dimmed lighting that contrasts with the brightness of the atrium. A comfortable sofa invites you to sit, and a gentle glow from above illuminates the space, offering a sense of security and calm. The hallway leading to the counselling rooms is narrow and cave-like, promoting introspection and quiet contemplation before your session
In the counselling room, you feel grounded and safe. A skylight allows natural light to filter in, providing a glimpse of the sky and the occasional bird in flight. If the conversation becomes intense, the option to continue the session on the garden rooftop provides a breath of fresh air. As you ascend the sloping grass ramp, the retreat unfolds before you, with views of the pools, gardens, and accommodation pods. Beyond these, the city skyline in the distance feels distant yet familiar, a reminder of how far you’ve come and the journey still ahead.
Back inside, the mindfulness and yoga rooms are designed to instil tranquillity. The mindfulness room, inspired by the form of a seashell and labyrinth form, the design uses compression and release techniques to guide you into a subdued space. Light filters through a domed skylight and narrow openings, creating atmospheric qualities that soothe the senses. The meditation room, by contrast, opens to uninterrupted sea views, allowing you to connect with the ocean and your higher self.
Descending further through the spiralling path, the growing sound of waves crashing in provides a gentle hum to your journey. Along the way, you encounter bio-displays that educate about the healing power of nature, offering moments of serendipitous connection and learning. Finally, you reach the lower level, where sensory deprivation
Summary from Narration 01:
Immersion in Nature: The journey begins with a winding path through a landscape filled with trees and bird songs. This setting invites visitors to engage with their senses, using the textures of rammed earth walls and distant ocean views to set a calming tone.
Connection to Oceanic Views: The retreat’s design is deeply connected to the sea, with paths leading visitors toward ocean views, creating a sense of openness and elevation. This connection to the ocean instils feelings of liberation and perspective.
Use of Natural Materials: The use of timber structures and rammed earth walls gives a sense of organic continuity. These materials provide warmth and create a calm and inviting atmosphere, reminding visitors of the healing power of nature.
Integration of Light and Shadow: The use of light and shadow to create different atmospheres within the retreat is masterfully done. From the shimmering light in the atrium to the dimmer lighting in the counselling area, the retreat plays with illumination to evoke specific feelings, from calmness to introspection.
Therapeutic Spaces: The retreat provides spaces for various therapeutic practices, including counselling rooms with dimmed lighting for reflection, and a rooftop garden that offers expansive views, allowing visitors to reconnect with nature during their sessions.
Meditation and Mindfulness: The retreat’s design incorporates spaces for meditation and mindfulness, using labyrinthine structures and compression/release techniques to create a unique sensory experience. The meditation room, with its sea views, offers a profound sense of levitation and connection with the earth.
Holistic Learning and Healing: Throughout the retreat, visitors encounter bio-displays and other elements that educate about the healing benefits of nature. These installations provide a serendipitous way to connect with others and deepen the understanding of holistic healing.
Ending at the Sea: The final destination, a gateway to the sea, symbolizes the completion of the healing journey. After experiencing various therapeutic activities, visitors are invited to embrace the water, signifying a fresh start and a rejuvenating conclusion to their time at the retreat.
Meandering Paths & Accommodation | Narration 02 | From the Experiential View of Visitor
The path you walk is as much a guide as it is an invitation to explore. It winds through a landscape that seems to breathe with life, the ground beneath your feet embedded with natural stone and bordered by gentle grasses. As you progress, you notice a gradual ascent, the earth lifting you towards a new perspective. The forest gives way to expansive views of the retreat and the vast ocean beyond, the horizon stretching into infinity.
Wildflowers line the path, their colours vivid against the earthy backdrop. They sway gently in the breeze, a vibrant procession that leads you toward your accommodation. The air is filled with a sweet, floral scent, and bees and butterflies flit among the blooms. This natural pathway, both beautiful and unassuming, creates a sense of arrival that feels personal and welcoming.
As you near your accommodation, the path descends into a cosy courtyard. The transition from open views to an enclosed space is seamless, with tall walls providing a sense of shelter and intimacy. The walls, however, are not harsh; they are softly textured, almost velvety to the touch. This tactile detail brings comfort, and you feel a sense of safety in this hidden garden. The courtyard is surrounded by lush greenery, with small trees and flowering shrubs that lend a soothing ambiance.
Beyond the courtyard, a set of steps beckons you further up the landscape. These steps are gently inclined, their stone surfaces blending seamlessly with the surrounding greenery. They lead to a stepped podium, a communal space designed for socializing, reading, or simply taking in the view. Here, you can sit and watch the world go by, the gentle waves of the ocean providing a soothing background soundtrack. This podium, with its open design and unobstructed views, is a place where visitors can come together or find a quiet corner to themselves.
From this elevated position, another set of steps carries you even higher. The path is framed by trees and flowering plants, their vibrant hues providing a striking contrast to the subdued tones of the architecture. The steps lead to a joint accommodation building, its design harmonizing with the natural landscape. As you approach, the entrance to your room is a garden of wildflowers, a circular path that encourages you to take your time and appreciate the beauty surrounding you.
The garden is filled with diverse flora, each step revealing new colours and fragrances. This final approach is designed to slow you down, to allow you to take a moment to breathe and reconnect with nature. The building itself is discreet, its exterior clad in materials that blend with the environment. Inside, your room is a sanctuary, with large windows that offer stunning views and let in natural light. The décor is minimalist yet warm, with soft textiles and organic materials that create a sense of comfort and ease.
The architectural elements—the soft-touch walls, the stepped podium, the wildflower gardens—all contribute to a sense of harmony and serenity. As you settle into your room, you feel that you’ve truly arrived at a place where you can relax, rejuvenate, and be at peace.pods, showers, and changing rooms prepare you for the final leg of the journey—a gateway to the sea.
As you step through the gateway, the fresh sea breeze welcomes you, and the rhythmic pulse of the ocean invites you to embrace its rejuvenating embrace. The journey through the holistic healing retreat has brought you full circle, from immersion in nature to connection with the sea, offering a fresh start.
Summary from Narration 02:
Pathway Design:
The pathway is crafted from natural stone and bordered by gentle grasses, integrating with the surrounding landscape.
Gradual ascent and descent to create a varied journey, providing different perspectives along the way.
Wildflowers and natural elements line the pathway, emphasizing a harmonious connection with nature.
Open and Intimate Spaces:
The path transitions from open views of the landscape and ocean to a more intimate courtyard setting, creating a balance between expansive and enclosed spaces.
The courtyard is designed to be cosy, with high walls providing privacy without feeling confined. The walls are textured, offering tactile comfort.
Courtyard Layout:
The courtyard is designed for both privacy and community, with benches placed strategically for individual or group use.
Soft tones and textures are used to avoid harshness, with lush greenery and flowering shrubs contributing to a calming ambiance.
Steps and Podium:
A set of steps leads to an elevated podium, offering panoramic views and designed for communal gatherings or private reflection.
The podium has a stepped layout to accommodate different activities, from reading to socializing, with unobstructed views of the ocean.
Architecture and Nature Integration:
The use of natural materials in the building design, such as stone and organic textiles, promotes harmony with the surrounding environment.
The building blends with the landscape, with exterior cladding and subdued tones to minimize visual disruption.
Trees and flowering plants frame the steps leading to the accommodation, adding vibrant hues against the subdued architectural tones.
Entrance and Accommodation:
The entrance to the joint accommodation building features a garden of wildflowers, encouraging a slower pace and a deeper appreciation for nature.
The building’s architecture is discreet, designed to blend into the landscape.
The interior of the accommodation is minimalist yet warm, with large windows to maximize natural light and provide stunning views.
Organic materials and soft textiles create a sense of comfort and relaxation.
Experience:
The architectural elements are designed to create a seamless journey from openness to intimacy, emphasizing the connection with nature.
The pathway and accommodation promote a sense of relaxation, rejuvenation, and peacefulness, ideal for a retreat setting.
