Live Laugh Love: A Community Space for Healing

Designed by Mehran Akbari, Arsam Soleimani, and Elham Babaei, "Live Laugh Love A community space for healing" is a mental health center located in Edinburgh, Scotland. This project, a People's Choice Award entry, exemplifies the principles of healing architecture design, aiming to create an environment that harmonizes with nature and fosters mental well-being.

Site and Topography

The design process of this mental health center began with a deep understanding of the site's unique and irregular shape and its specific topography. This careful consideration ensures that the form and site are fully integrated and respectful of the surrounding environment. The innovative approach maximizes site utilization, creating a seamless blend between the building and its natural surroundings.

Architectural Elements

Roof Design: The use of sloped roofs provides not only stunning views of the landscape but also ensures the integration and flexibility of the visible project..

Surface and Facade: The designed facade offers aesthetic appeal while providing necessary lighting and shading, considering sunlight radiation..

Bulk Volume: The lines on the facade, which form the volume, are proportionally placed and modularized, creating a harmonious visual experience..

Floor Design: The floors are coordinated with the site's topographic lines, maintaining a specific proportion and enhancing the overall aesthetic..

Pathways and Access: Multiple paths throughout the project create a sense of curiosity and ensure easy access, with three different entry points to avoid accessibility issues.

Design Process

The initial concept aimed to create soft and rounded volumes to evoke a sense of comfort and flexibility. A mass proportional to the site and a suitable shape were obtained, forming the main concept. The connection between the volumes and the ground level was established to evoke a sense of growth and development. Complete topography was integrated with the mass, and pathways were designed according to the needs and slope of the terrain. Finally, facade design and landscaping were added, finalizing the project.

Inspiration and Concept

The main concept of the project is inspired by the brain in a metaphorical sense, capturing themes of growth, hope, rebirth, and unity. The design pays great attention to spaces, communication, and movement, transforming the atmosphere from merely therapeutic to friendly and inviting.

Functional Spaces

The center includes various functional spaces:

Gathering Space: A communal area for social interactions.

Therapeutic Services: Rooms for different therapeutic activities.

Hydrotherapy: Facilities for water-based therapies.

Children's Section: Dedicated space for child patients.

Holistic Approach

Inspired by the brain's structure, the design incorporates four interconnected circles or zones representing different aspects of health and well-being:

Physical Well-being: Facilities promoting physical health.

Mental Well-being: Spaces designed to support mental health.

Emotional Well-being: Areas for emotional support and activities.

Social Welfare: Communal spaces encouraging social interactions.

Design Philosophy

The design philosophy combines functionality, patient-centeredness, safety, and aesthetics. The collaborative and iterative process ensures that the unique needs of the facility are met, providing a positive experience for patients, staff, and visitors. The design lines of the health promotion center are inspired by the human brain's neural networks, creating a visually stimulating and meaningful space.

The "Live Laugh Love" project showcases how healing architecture design can enhance the overall user experience and promote a holistic approach to health and wellness. By symbolizing connection, emphasizing flow and circulation, and creating visual impact, this design approach supports the center's mission of promoting health and well-being in a thoughtfully implemented and functional space.