healing spaces architecture thesis

THESIS: Healing through Architecture

Healing through Architecture

Thesis Abstract by Jennifer Beggs 

Numerous studies show evidence of the body’s ability to “self-heal” when put into positive healing environments. This healing is enabled by the ability of the body to ‘tap into our internal pharmacies’ by activating the body’s powerful neurochemicals such as endorphins [Esther Sternberg].

The terms curing and healing are often used interchangeably but have distinct definitions. The term curing refers to the relief of the symptoms of a disease or condition. The term healing refers to the alleviation of a person’s distress or anguish. In order to fully take advantage of the body’s healing potential, environments hold the ability to stimulate the senses and become active healers themselves. This helps minimize negative effects of stress on the body, guiding a positive physical and psychological response to environments in ways that maximize the effectiveness of crucial medical treatments and procedures. In order to take advantage of the body’s healing pharmacies, environments must prevent the body from weakening due to stress.

Stress is the body’s biggest obstacle in healing, and many contemporary hospitals inflict so much stress on patients that it actually slows down healing, counteracting the medications and treatments patients receive. One of the body’s most effective ways of healing is through the means of releasing endorphins which can reduce pain and swelling, lead to feelings of euphoria, modulate appetite, and enhance the immune system’s response. Endorphins are natural, not addictive (unlike many drugs) and often have the same effect as traditional drugs such as morphine and codeine.

This thesis explores the relationship between environments and the chemical reactions in the body that enable healing. The research reviews several healing spaces, comparing traditional healing spaces with contemporary ones, and analyzing both positive and negative examples in terms of the architecture’s ability to help augment healing. The research reviews the focus patient in cancer treatment, investigating their specific challenges and then finally introduces the site, Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario, in which the design development is situated. The proposed design interventions focus on how architecture can have a positive impact on patients receiving chemotherapy. In order to realistically move towards fully realized wellness, hospitals need to take a holistic approach to treat a patient’s physical illnesses, psychological health, emotional hardships, and physiological response. “Ultimately it is the senses that need to be revitalized as it is an integral part of healing” [“Grandnm”].

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Leave your reply.

I am very interested in this research. where can i read the full thesis on this ?

I’m doing my thesis on healing center and would like more information from you regarding your study. Thanks.

You can download Jennifer Beggs’ full thesis here: uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/9591 Another Waterloo student very recently defended a thesis on long term care & rehabilitation hospitals that may be of use to you too: uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/14398

can u suggest some casestudies on this topic??

i am doing my thesis on schizophrenia is there any information on mental care centres or schizophrenia centres?

Would you mind if I use some of the lines in my podcast

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Healing Through Architecture

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The Impact of Architecture in the Process of Healing & Well-Being

2021, International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology

As per the definition given by the World Health Population, health alludes to the condition of complete physical, mental and social prosperity and not just the nonappearance of sickness or infirmity. It acts as a crucial parameter in the country's development. It could disrupt due to various strains resulting in Stress-the body's response to anything or a situation that requires any attention or action. Architecture is deeply contextual and responds to its social and environmental context as much as its historical and physical one. If we are designing for the ripple effect consciously, we benefit the individuals and support the community. By creating a healing space, one evokes the feelings of serenity, calm, and relaxation and can contribute to an environment that facilitates the natural healing process-a process of repair, recovery, and return to wholeness in mind, body, and spirit. Since there have been strong human responses to nature because these responses appear in study after study and are consistent across social, economic, cultural, and racial boundaries, buildings are the structures that strengthen the local community and connect people. These help the neighborhood economy and how they work. In this way, when we configuration to amplify the positive-social, monetary, and natural variables become the waves of architecture and engineering. To look over the design consideration of such spaces in the institutions, how can the healing Space architecture become an integral part of healing itself? How can architecture have an active role in the healing process? The conventional design approach is missing the inspiration and connection with the built structure from its precincts. Thus, the architectural inputs can affect the building design and affect the healing process. It also creates a comfortable and interactive for both the patients/ visitor and the staff who spend the central part of their day in it and, most importantly, would create a network of community and built form. This study emphasizes the variation in the patient's mood and creates a healing place instead of the machine to treat people with patient-focused experiential perspectives. The dissertation has a framework with the chapters divided into different sections. The first section introduces the health and the role of psychology concerning the spaces that evoke different moods and emotions within the user. The next chapter discusses and brings the different parameters with the medical shreds of evidence by reviewing and analyzing a few previous research studies in the same field. The third chapter analyzed a few of the live architectural projects based on the parameters mentioned in the chapter before and made a comparative analysis of those projects. Lastly, in the fourth chapter, the inferences are developed with the design recommendations for the thesis's future study and guidelines.

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Civil Engineering and Architecture

Horizon Research Publishing(HRPUB) Kevin Nelson

The healing environment is one of the indispensable things for humans. It could be fulfilled through different means; one of them is in the hands of an architect. Healing through design has existed for a very long time, but now it is developed with new techniques. This paper discusses this topic in terms of spiritual, psychological and physiological health recovery for people because it is so important for a person to live in balance and mind safety. The aim of this study is to examine the diversity of aspects, in which the healing could be reached through. It also focuses on the essential design strategies for architects and other specialties. This study includes the healing elements of buildings, healing in the urban-scale and healing through biophilic design. The healing elements of architecture describe the integration of light and color, circulation and spatial organization, form and building system, building envelope and the application of healing architecture in medical buildings. The urban-scale healing will cover circulation and open areas, followed by outdoor spaces and healing gardens. At the same time, healing through biophilic design will include biophilic effect rules, biophilic design strategies, design considerations and design culture of biophilic versus biophobia. All in all, the main objective of this study is to develop a set of design recommendations, by which designers can design healing environments.

Anne Kathrine Frandsen

manish chitranshi

In hospital buildings wherever most, patients look for medical treatment and employees provides continuous support, making a healing atmosphere is primarily necessary and relevant. Healing suggests redressing ills and establishing a method that leads towards health. The term ‘Healing Architecture’ that has been coined recently, is employed to invoke a way of a nonstop process; It has been known for a protracted time that the natural atmosphere is closely connected with health and its close environmental conditions have an effect on human health. However, there's little proof to counsel that the physical aspects of designed atmosphere will have an effect on human health. These physical aspects of healing atmosphere serve for all users of the care facility: employees, clinicians, directors, patients and families. Existing studies have shown that in a very newer hospital atmosphere higher health outcome will be achieved once the physical aspects like access to outside read, patient...

Tharinda Dissanayake

Modern hospital environments provide no support for a total healing of special patient populations due to the lack of psychological satisfaction. Medical researches have proved that environment has direct impact for the psychological satisfaction, which is beneficial for the recovery of patients. On the other hand, it is identified that the environment provides great support which encourages patients towards the healing. It is identified that modern medicine relies on narrow focusing a diseases into body parts and treating the specific part through medicine based on science and technology. In front of criticism of such approach of medicine attempts have been made to incorporate the concept of “healing” instead of curing; which addresses the whole person. Medical expertise has theorized a parallel concept called Optimal Healing Environment (OHE) which is forced to be implemented in a medicine environment. Medical research institutes have briefed the requirements for an Optimal Healing Environment. Many examples are available within the modern world, which seems to be designed parallel to the Optimal Healing Environment concept. However, there seems to have a lack of proper research which attempts to characterize the architecture of such environments. This research is based on the concept of Optimal Healing Environment based on the ideology that architecture can contribute as a facilitator for the healing process. An attempt would be made to define the architectural characteristics for the briefed components of an OHE. Since this concept is still developing within the western medicine, it would be suggested that the research findings should be updated accordingly.

International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)

IJRASET Publication

The research paper emphasises the study of design components for producing healing spaces in healthcare center. Because patients in healthcare centers undergo various treatments that make the surrounding environment strange compared to at home, architectural solutions that include a healing environment in the structure can be added. Health care organisations are beginning to incorporate aspects into hospital building that reduce stress and promote healing, as evidence of the benefits of healing places is being gathered. This paper reveals the relevance of human comfort in creating a therapeutic space, as well as the role of unique design in creating a healing environment. This covers topics such as air quality, colour, texture, light, and sound, among others.

Journal of Public Mental Health

Rona Stephen

Mette Folmer

UGC CARE JOURNAL

SOFIA MAHALINGAM

Winston Churchill right away illustrate the grasp of architecture & surroundings with the phrase that "We shape our buildings & later they shape us "Architecture is a civic profession that feel all human beings at all levels of their reality everywhere & every day. This is the only field which overlay the all expression: Humanities, Science, Art, and Technology. We as human beings have aclose network with our environment by sensibly, psychologically, intensely, religiously means.The space that create or induced a feeling or emotions in buildings realizing the great control that such built environments& surrounding hold, Even though in our previous old historical descendant suggest that spaces grip our mind to think about the past events and incidents. This paper result with represent, what does healing means? Throughspaces and functions in architecture. I am also form the valid design ideas&elements that make a design in healing spaces. To stave my design ideas& elements fitting the works, writings, research of architects like AlvarAalto, Sirishberi, Koel van velson, Michaelforo, etc..

Book Publisher International

As one of requirements of human life is health and hygiene, so, some places should be forecasted for these affairs to being true. Hygiene and health will be divided to physical and mental branches which researchers states that if mental health is provided, physical health can be easily available and finally, human can easily take his course during treatment which obtain healthy life. It finally causes creating great works and massive movements in human life. One characteristics of a good medicinal center is easy and rapid access, so that patients can have access to these centers with minimum time. This access is defined from the place where the patient resides to the interior spaces of medical centers, and many factors affect the quality of this path. On factor is the human view of form, how to create a different form by designing an external shell and embedding the original structure under this shell so that it can be developed and expanded at the same time, and at the same time be inviting, so that clients and users move towards these centers and walk indoors comfortably and away from double stress. Doing studies and data collection and information evaluation is of the basics of designing and requires a full research design. The present study is to provide a comprehensive cognitive understanding of all those involved in architectural design for hospital building and patients. Besides, studying and collecting all available written and verbal references, principles and optimized guidelines of designing an efficient hospital were extracted in order to meet medicinal and psychological needs of patients.

Elif Doğruyol Tavukçuoğlu

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Home > Graduate Studies > Masters Theses > 669

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Healing through architecture: role of architecture in promoting healing in cancer care settings

Vrindha Vijay , Rhode Island School of Design Follow

Date of Award

Spring 6-1-2021

Document Type

Degree name.

Master of Architecture (MArch)

Architecture

First Advisor

Second advisor.

Jonathan Knowles

Architecture creates the ambience and frame of mind for the carer, who then passes it on to the patients. It is the physical space that provides us to feel a certain way or experience a set peacefulness. Humans tend to react to spaces around them to connect emotionally and physically. And in that sense, Architecture is key. The focus, thus far, in most healthcare centers have been on clinical care rather than the soft services. Today, Architecture is striving to make a better environment that can contribute to patients’ healing, recovery, and well-being.

The goal of this thesis is to facilitate the processes of caring and healing through the redesign of a cancer care center. The project will establish relationships between experience, empathy and architectural environment. The design should aim to reduce patient and family stress. To achieve this goal, architecture must eliminate environmental stress, poor lighting, and the lack of private spaces to allow the patients to take complete advantage of the space they are in.

When one finds themselves in a situation that conquers their abilities to fight their inner stress, they begin to rely on external factors. It is the physical space they are in that allows them to connect their emotions. The fact that hospitals ignore the importance of design in providing emotional and stress-free care for their patients is something one needs to reflect upon. This thesis explores the relationship between healing and architecture and focuses on cancer patients and their caretakers/caregivers in particular.

How can the physical space of a care center be used to enable emotional, physical and psychic well-being for patients and caregivers?

View exhibition online: Vrindha Vijay, HEALING through ARCHITECTURE

Recommended Citation

Vijay, Vrindha, "Healing through architecture: role of architecture in promoting healing in cancer care settings" (2021). Masters Theses . 669. https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/669

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Therapeutic Architecture: Role of Architecture in Healing Process

Can Architecture aid the healing process? How does it affect human psychology? What can we do to make Therapeutic Architecture?

Architecture is an art, which has many facets to it as it is an amalgamation of science, expressions, aesthetics, technology, and satisfaction of human needs. Architecture if practiced correctly has the ability to create meaningful spaces but an architect who possesses little knowledge about his domain is equally capable of creating blunders. Churches , mosques , and cathedrals planned centuries ago; it is a testimony to architectural marvels as they engulf a sense of magnificence, royalty, glory, serenity, and peacefulness. The intriguing details of the spaces were meant to induce positive feelings and emotions and are considered as masterpieces of architecture to date as they continue to fascinate historians, researchers, and travelers from across the globe. In a rat race to achieve modernization in terms of lifestyle; humans prefer adopting lifestyles that revolve around built environments and prefer less interaction with the natural environment. The volume of the crowd getting attracted to shopping complexes in comparison to natural parks is proof of that.

Humans have a tendency to achieve nuances by constantly developing something new in hope towards a better future. But, hardly realizes that this urbanization has led to so much dependence on technology that our lifestyle is completely mechanized leading towards busy work schedules, increased toxicity levels, reduced green spaces, un-planned and un-pleasant surroundings, congested living environments and many more. The long-term effect of it is a multitude of health issues and diseases; leading towards overindulgence on medication, chemical drugs, and health care centers.

With the ever-increasing population and their indulgence in using medicines to treat illness, it has become all the more important to rely on natural means, treatments, and remedies; which are being neglected due to lack of awareness among the masses. The current trends are towards designing and developing state of the art health centers that not only focus on having aesthetic enhancements (to reduce stress and anxiety) but also make a deliberate effort towards promoting patients’ health and healing mechanisms. Such spaces can be a very good medium for instilling emotions, i.e. the aura of space can bring a positive change in a person’s perception and mood while using the space.

The work aims to discover how architecture and aesthetics can create an environment conducive to the healing process. The work nowhere thrusts that the architecture, when used independently, has the ability to heal; but the architectural manipulation of space can act as a catalyst in creating a healing environment that may affect the physical and psychological behavior of the patient. The objective of this study is to analyze the following:

• a) How spaces can be designed in line with the healing process of patients.
• b) To discover various facets of architecture viz-a-viz human psyche.
• c) To study the concept of sensory architecture to understand the relation of man and his environment.
• d) To study how natural elements can be a catalyst in the healing environment.

1. Literature Survey

The placebo treatment is a pseudo-medical treatment that seems to be real but actually is not. This treatment tries to treat the body through the mind. Such a treatment effect can be very well seen through Maggie Centers by Charles Jencks 2010 , who believed in the architectural placebo effect . He used this philosophy and created an Architectural environment through his designs in a manner that helped in treating many cancer patients. Such an environment not only helps patients receive mental and social support for dealing with cancer but also boosts their emotions. Such a discovery was earmarked by a renowned American philosopher William James who believed “the greatest revolution in our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” (Levitt, Andrew. 2015). This way adopting such a spatial design that caters to physiological and psychological needs will not only help people interact better but also add more meaning to therapeutic architecture. Practicing such architecture by designing exquisite spaces closely associated with the natural environment will certainly lead to human healing and well-being. The concept of designing Architectural spaces by considering natural factors like sound, light, color, smell and pleasant views certainly connect to human senses and proves to show more ability in the physical and psychological healing of patients. Architectural spaces directly affect human emotions in a way that pleasant Architectural space helps in the natural process of healing.

Source( https://inhabitat.com/beautiful-light-filled-maggies-cancer-center-opens-up-to-nature-in-manchester/ )

“Architecture is the masterly, correct magnificent play of masses brought together in light.” Light and color also play a vital role in sensory design in terms of visual effect. Shadows help in representing mass and volume better by way of depth. “In great spaces of architecture, there is constant, deep breathing of shadow and light; shadow inhales, and illumination exhales, light.” (Juhani Pallasmaa, 2012). The sense of vision also gives an opportunity to connect to other human senses at times. When we are hungry and see a photo of a nice cuisine; it certainly connects our vision to other senses of taste and smell. This combination of senses leads to sensory balance; thus bringing different reactions depending on mood. An acoustically designed space will hold a different meaning that non-designed space which brings a lot of echo and sound reflection. The space with no acoustical treatment will be perceived differently than the space with proper acoustical treatment which will certainly be more comfortable and pleasant. One may not see acoustic Architecture but it is significant in our perception and experience of space; apart from our appreciation of space in terms of structure and articulation. These days the old prisons are replaced with modern rehabilitation and correction centers as their motive is not to punish criminals but rebuild them by providing proper counseling and training. Likewise, the hospitals are replaced with health care centers which also provide a soothing and pleasant environment to the patients and lead to faster recovery. Therefore, Architects must associate themselves with therapists and sociologists and discuss the healing capacity of place through design. One must interpret data through the multi-sensory aspect of space through past experiences and memories, which allows making own conclusions on a space with an idea to enhance through different Architectural elements like light, fenestrations , Colors, Materials , etc.

2. Role of Architecture in the Healing Process

For better planning and designing of health care centers , architects and researchers have closely observed and tried to analyze the correlation between the physical parameters involved in creating health care centers and their effect on patients health-related outcomes such as patients comfort level, recovery, his length of stay, medication intake, stress levels, etc. Individually examining and studying these parameters on patients of different age groups can actually help in demonstrating how one can design healthy environments and spaces that can reduce stress and anxiety levels and address issues related to patients’ comfort.

• OPEN SPACES

Many clinical studies have proven the positive effect of nature and exposure to the outdoors ; towards distraction from stress and anxiety levels of patients in a Health care setup. A study published in the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, clearly indicated that for patients suffering from dementia; aggressive behavior associated with a stressful experience could be reduced significantly by the frequent playing of recorded nature sounds. The study by Professor Irving, Biermann, of the University of Southern California has found that when people view scenes that are soothing to mind and eyes and are universally accepted – like beautiful panoramas, sunsets, hill views, a grove of trees- the nerve cells of the brain become active and the brain’s natural painkillers starts flowing thereby reducing the stress levels of the patient and make them calm.

• ROLE OF LIGHT IN TREATMENT

Light plays a critical role in human life and daily affairs that we can hardly imagine our existence without it. It permits one to function at a basic level and it also plays a key factor in our psychological and physiological health.

Importance of Natural Light

In a study conducted, 92% of the patient’s considered sunlight to be pleasurable and calming respectively. Whereas only 2% and 1% of patients considered sunlight to be a nuisance and unfavorable. Whereas, 31% and 35% of the staff members considered sunlight to be pleasurable and calming respectively. Whereas 62% and 26% of staff considered sunlight to be a nuisance and unfavorable. The reports were quite contrasted with patients and staff.

Importance of Artificial Light

The artificial lighting should be highly flexible and adaptable to one’s needs, i.e. it should provide a comforting feel to patients while reading and well illumination to staff for carrying out examination or surgical treatments. Interior designers while designing a house or building should take into consideration the amount and the available type and dimensions of light in design . The job of interior designer is not only restricted to designing but also has to handle the intricacies of important facilities to be provided in medical projects such as proper placement of installation channels and air vents in the ceiling keeping in line with the installation standards and the space lighting.

• FENESTRATIONS

Ulrich through his work ‘power of the window’ has shown and proven scientifically how the patients in hospital recovered faster when their rooms had a direct view of the external natural environment rather than a blank wall. According to a study the patients who could see and feel nature around (be it in the form of trees or chirping of birds, cool breeze, sunrise, and sunset, etc.), required less narcotic pain medication than the ones who stayed in a room with brick walls and no window.

Colors can have a significant impact on the psyche of patients; certain colors intend to encourage activities, while others promote passive behavior. According to color therapy, colors have the ability to influence many facets of our lives, including our emotions, mental state, mood, and energy level. Each color is considered to be in line with the seven energy centers or chakras. The concept of color therapy is based on the fact that our physiological behavior responds and functions in a predictable defined manner to colors.

Materials too are considered to leave a direct influence on the overall sense of the environment like the ability to affect the sound environment, circulate movement, increase /decrease comfort and various other actions. Building materials used in therapeutic architecture should be carefully chosen – like natural materials if used in such spaces have not only a healing benefit but also an ecological one. If a building is harmonious and close to nature, it has a positive effect on the environment too. By designing spaces that are self-sufficient, “eco-cycle houses,” or agriculture systems, architecture can work with nature in harmony. Using local materials allows for the community to play a role in the construction process, as well. Natural materials that have been handcrafted are unique, which is as appealing as it is authentic.

Blomkvist et al 2005, through his work, has tried to show how the improved acoustics can have a positive effect on the psychosocial environment and how it can contribute towards reducing risks of conflicts and errors in the health care environment. The negative effects of sound and noise are associated with a patient’s slow recovery and increased levels of stress. In a study, Bayonet al.1995 made an observation that the most important noise sources were located primarily inside the hospital and majorly affected the patients’ comfort but had little implications on their recovery. One of the major side effects of a high noise level was on patients’ quality and quantity of sleep. Sources of disturbance that were identified were therapeutic procedures, staff talking, and environmental noises, etc. Most disturbances were noted in the multi-bed unit having multiple patients due to erratic patient interventions by staff, keeping little time for condensed sleep. Moore et al. attempted to provide solutions for multi-bed patient care units by reducing noise levels by 6 dB (A) on average by following procedures such as closing patient doors, a change that patients readily acknowledged. However, an adverse effect was seen in the ICU where closing doors increased noise levels, primarily because of the noise that resonates with equipment within the room. Harris & Reitz 1985 studied the effects of room reverberation and noise on speech discrimination by older adults. They demonstrated that under the same reverberant noisier conditions; the older normal-hearing subjects performed much poorer than younger normal-hearing subjects and a sharp decline by 48% in speech discrimination was observed among older adults with a hearing impairments from the best acoustic condition (quiet + shorter reverberation time (RT)) to poorest (noise + longer RT). For having good effective acoustics in healthcare design, the research implies that ceilings should be made sound-absorbent and reverberation time be shortened so as to reduce noise propagation for increasing speech discrimination among older patients.

It can be concluded that a great amount of forethought and expertise is needed in conceptualizing and designing healing environments. Spaces have a great potential of having a positive impact on the psyche and emotions of people and their relevance has more significance in the context of patients . It requires a great deal of expertise in maintaining a good design balance of the use of light, color, texture, and materials. Interior designers and architects need to recognize how every design component can be explored as an opportunity for impacting the health and well-being of the patients. Today, in the process to recover and heal faster, spaces need to permit the patients to connect with their spirituality. It is considered as an important thread of the treatment.

References:

• Lawson, B., Bassanino, M., Phiri, M., & Worthington, J. (2003). Intentions, practices, and aspirations: Understanding learning in design. Design Studies, 24(4), 327-339.
• Pallasmaa, J. 2. (2005). Lived space: Embodied experience and sensory thought. Encounters: Architectural Essays.
• Levin, D. M. (Ed.). (1993). Modernity and the Hegemony of Vision . Univ of California Press.
• Schneider, S. M., Prince-Paul, M., Allen, M. J., Silverman, P., &Talaba, D. (2004, January). Virtual reality as a distraction intervention for women receiving chemotherapy. In Oncology nursing forum (Vol. 31, No. 1).

Architect - Restorer with major experience in design of buildings and related structures & specialized in rehabilitation & restoration of historical & monumental buildings. My Objective is to utilize my skills and knowledge to solve problems, interact with people and maintain high standards of performance, can work under pressure and flexible in deadlines.

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Skin to Skin: A Provocative Expression of the Dynamic Relationship Between the Surface of the Body and the Surface of Architecture

<p>It can be argued that modern architecture has expelled the building’s relationship to the ground. Raised on pilotis, modern buildings constructed the platform as an artificial ground plane. Ultimately, the platform was a two-dimensional plane, flattened to aid our transition across the built environment. This horizontal plane merely tolerated inhabitation. Unfortunately the language synonymous with this plane has been extended into contemporary architecture. It is proposed that the rigidity and stability expressed by the surface of the horizontal plane has failed to reflect the body, stimulate interaction, or challenge the inhabitant of architecture. To free the horizontal plane from its rigid axis this thesis aims to break away from the conventional building typology inflicted by modern architecture. As the force of gravity restricts our inhabitation of the built environment to the horizontal plane we directly engage with this surface of architecture. It provokes the question, how can the design of the horizontal plane engage the body and challenge the inhabitant to intensify the experience of architecture? An exploration of the skin-to-skin relationship between the surface of the body and the surface of architecture directs this thesis toward a provocative design exploration and evokes an expressive horizontal plane. To challenge the restrictive conception of architecture’s horizontal plane the program of inhabitation for this design project explores the practice of yoga. Now conceived as a dynamic force, the body can be activated by architecture’s horizontal plane. This surface provides an expressive canvas with the capacity to embody the dynamic movements of yoga. It aids, activates and challenges the participant’s body and amplifies the experience of yoga. An expressive horizontal plane, central to the inhabitation of a yoga centre, generates a dynamic space that provokes a dialogue of interaction between the inhabitant and the surface of architecture. A dynamic plane has emerged.</p>

Book Review: Healing Spaces, Modern Architecture, and the Body

The bacterial clients of modern architecture.

The human is an unstable idea; simultaneously an all-powerful creature – capable of transforming the whole ecology of the planet – yet extremely fragile, a murky ghost. Contemporary research into our microbiome portrays the human itself as a mobile ecology constructed by the endless flux of interactions between thousands of different species of bacteria – some of which are millions of years old and others joined us just a few months ago. This challenges conventional understandings of architecture. What does it mean to house the human when we no longer think that the human organism is securely contained within its skin? What is the role of architecture when the humans occupying it are understood to be suspended in clouds of bacteria shared, generated and mobilized by other macro-organisms (pets, plants, insects…) and the building itself; when the human is not a clearly defined organism or in any sense independent; when the architectural client is a massive set of ever-changing trans-species alliances that make the apparent complexity of even the largest of cities seem quaintly uncomplicated. What kind of care do architects offer if we think of ourselves as alliances between bacteria within the apparent limits of the body and throughout the spaces we occupy? What faces 21st century architects in comparison to 20th century architects?

Architecture competition proposals in the body of work of the KKK Group (1931–1939) in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

Jovan Korka, Đorđe Krekić and Georg Kiverov are important protagonists of modern Croatian architecture. The three architects worked together in the KKK Group (name derived from their last names) between 1931 and 1939 in Zagreb. During this period, “the group” produced an impressive mass of work including the realisation of public and residential buildings in Croatia and the region; participated in competitions in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia with brilliant design solutions; held exhibitions and published several professional papers. Famous from the beginning of their professional work in Croatia's capital, in the second half of the 1920s, they were forgotten after WWII. Their names emerged in almost every compilation or architectural guide of modern Croatian architecture due to the built edifices that were the outcome of the member's efforts in competitions, and yet for a long time, very little was known about the authors and especially about the KKK Group. Only recently is their body of work being studied systematically. This article deals with competition projects, the unexplored body of work of the Group, and a crucial part in their success. In twenty instances of participation in competitions currently known, in only eight years of collaboration, the group was awarded 14 times (individually and jointly), often with one of the first three awards. A chronological overview of competition participation and a more detailed analysis of five available joint competition entries was carried out as a contribution to the valorisation of the body of work of these important and yet forgotten protagonists of modern architecture in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and especially in Croatia.

Power over the Body, Equality in the Family: Rights and Domestic Relations in Medieval Canon Law. Charles J. Reid, Jr.

Philip a. mellor and chris shilling, re-forming the body: religion, community and modernity, london, sage, 1997, £40.00 (paperback £13.95), vi+234 pp. (isbn 0-839-7723-9)., representing utility and deploying the body.

Abstract Comprehensive accounts of resource-rational attempts to maximise utility shouldn't ignore the demands of constructing utility representations. This can be onerous when, as in humans, there are many rewarding modalities. Another thing best not ignored is the processing demands of making functional activity out of the many degrees of freedom of a body. The target article is almost silent on both.

Neuron-glia relationship during the early postembryonic development of the nervous system in some oligochaetes

The simplicity of the developing nervous system of oligochaetes makes of it an excellent model for the study of the relationships between glia and neurons. In the present communication we describe the relationships between glia and neurons in the early periods of post-embryonic development in some species of oligochaetes.Tubifex tubifex (Mull. ) and Octolasium complanatum (Dugès) specimens starting from 0. 3 mm of body length were collected from laboratory cultures divided into three groups each group fixed separately by one of the following methods: (a) 4% glutaraldehyde and 1% acrolein fixation followed by osmium tetroxide, (b) TAPO technique, (c) ruthenium red method.Our observations concern the early period of the postembryonic development of the nervous system in oligochaetes. During this period neurons occupy fixed positions in the body the only observable change being the increase in volume of their perikaryons. Perikaryons of glial cells were located at some distance from neurons. Long cytoplasmic processes of glial cells tended to approach the neurons. The superimposed contours of glial cell processes designed from electron micrographs, taken at the same magnification, typical for five successive growth stages of the nervous system of Octolasium complanatum are shown in Fig. 1. Neuron is designed symbolically to facilitate the understanding of the kinetics of the growth process.

Dogchitecture: WE Architecture Designs a Center That Challenges Traditional Animal Shelters

• Written by Ella Comberg

Copenhagen firm WE Architecture has completed a proposal for a “Dog Center” in Moscow that challenges traditional notions of animal shelters. Nestled in the countryside, the one-story pavilion will rely on a series of courtyards divided by pergolas that disappear into the landscape. The firm notes that the courtyards, which provide enclosed outdoor space for the dogs , allow the center “to avoid the 'jail-like' fencing which is often associated with dog shelters."

WE, in collaboration with MASU Planning , hopes to create a “healthy and inspiring environment for sheltered dogs and for the different people who will visit and work at the Center.” The project accomplishes its atmospheric goals by complimenting steel pillars with wooden rafters. The rafters extend to create an exterior overhang which functions as “a sun screen in summer time and as an exterior cover/hallway on rainy days.” As visitors approach the building, the green roof , which sits atop the wooden rafters, is meant to serve as a “fifth facade” that can blend in easily with its wooded surroundings. Extensive outdoor seating space bleeds into greenery, inviting both human and animal recreation.

Design Team

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• Sustainability

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low-cost replicable tiny house addresses india’s residential needs with its adaptable interior

Harshit singh kothari & tanvi jain unveil replicable housing.

Harshit Singh Kothari and Tanvi Jain reveal the Tiny House, a compact residence that serves as a prototype for affordable living in Indore, India . The house, built with concrete foundations, a concrete frame structure, and brick infill walls, uses standard construction methods. Allowing for easy replication without specialized techniques or expensive technology, the building comfortably accommodates a family of four. The dwelling occupies a minimal footprint of 19.5 square meters, with an additional six square meters of spill-out space. Despite its modest size, the interior feels expansive, featuring a single large volume that adapts to various daily needs. This volume is divided into a mezzanine above and a toilet and store at the back. The building is approached from the east through a semi-open space, avoiding the conventional layout of separate living, dining, and sleeping areas. Instead, it offers flexible spaces that can be reconfigured based on the needs of its residents, such as a daybed that transforms into a double bed at night. 

tiny house prototype in India features adaptable interior

The Tiny House emphasizes natural light and ventilation, with carefully placed openings on all facades. Harshit Singh Kothari (find more here ) and Tanvi Jain have installed a 45-centimeter-thick double wall on the western facade, which reduces thermal gain while enhancing comfort. The kitchenette and bathroom are strategically positioned near an overhead water tank to ensure adequate water pressure and optimize plumbing costs. A foldable table opposite the kitchenette serves as a dining area and a study. The prototype is adaptable to freestanding units in peri-urban areas and dense urban settings. When clustered, these houses can share infrastructure, such as staircases, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting systems, further reducing costs and supporting sustainable resource use.

Remarkably, the project is constructed for just INR 4,55,000 (USD 5,424), yet it includes high-quality finishes such as marble flooring, teak-framed double-pane windows, and premium fixtures. This cost-effective design meets the aspirations of lower-income groups in tier-two Indian cities by offering multifunctional spaces and efficient resource use. 

occupying a minimal footprint of 18 square meters, the house features a six square meters spill-out space

the building is approached from the east through a semi-open space

project info:

name:  Tiny House designer: Harshit Singh Kothari | @harshitsk , Tanvi Jain | @sin.by.cos

location: Indore, India

photographer: The Space Tracing company | @the_space_tracing_company

designboom has received this project from our  DIY submissions  feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers  here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

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