Art therapy center

The project is the conceptual design of the Art Therapy Center. The designed building was located on a given plot in Pleasington, on the outskirts of Blackburn in Great Britain. Before confronting the competition task I decided to do the research and find out what exactly art therapy is, who is it aimed for and what is its purpose.

Art therapy is a modern and dynamically developing form of psychological therapy. It is aimed at people struggling with problems such as chronic stress or anxiety. It is about expressing yourself through art instead of words. In this case, art is very broadly understood, and the sessions of such therapy conducted in groups, or individually, do not limit it only to painting or drawing, but they allow the patient to manifest themselves through sculpture, singing, dance and other types of art. This approach and all the information I found made me realise how few facilities providing art therapy are there all around the world and how are they needed. 

At the beginning of my design journey I deeply analysed the area and whole neighbourhood in which the plot was placed. The environment is always an important element in shaping architecture. In this case, the surroundings are a quiet neighbourhood, with a small number of single-family houses bathed in greenery. The area is very intimate providing all its users and potential patients using the Art therapy center, peaceful environment. 

 Since the plot was surrounded by nature the nature itself became an inspiration to whole design. By analysing nature in a microscopic context we can see specific divisions on leafs. The same type of shapes are common on cracked mud while its drying, in frog come, giraffe's pattern or even on our skin. 

 This pattern is called Voronoi and it was my starting point. Using parametric tools I have divided the plot to modules od approximately 300sqm creating a specific net. After that certain modules adjusted and being placed in best possible place on the plot were extruded creating a building. Each module has been designed to provide different function. Radial layout of the building provides as much daily light as possible. The building was designed to be one with the surrounding nature, that is why it has a specific elevation designed with the same main shape as the plot division. In order to provide as much light as possible and at the same time not giving up building users privacy elevation was designed to have two layers. First one is being structural wall with Voronoi-shaped windows. Second layer is a Cantilever frame for climbing plants. Thanks to this green shield emerging on the facades building users have direct contact with greenery and vegetation which brings joy and peace to mind. Not only that. It has also huge ecological impact on the building cooling it during the hot days and helping to keep the warmth during cold rainy or even snowy days. To bring people to nature and to blend big building to the site green roof was essential. Roof is covering the ground floor level. It is accessible for all users. As well the patients as its families visiting them or just people coming to see the art displays in the gallery. 

Despite de parametric design main idea was to open the building internally. These types of openings help people with psychological disorders to draw a mind map of a building and not to get lost in there. Despite that they provide quiet, isolated and green relaxation zone where patient can get away from stress and any other external stimuli.  

Each module contains in itself function. We can distinguish parts that are dedicated to be hotel modules (filled with rooms, bathrooms, common relaxation zones etc.), therapeutic modules (consisting of group or individual therapy classrooms, art supply storages etc.), Gallery and open space, restaurant (with kitchen and facilities) and the entrance lobby. 

 The building has been designed so as not to constitute any barriers for elderly or disabled people. Every part of the building is accessible for everyone. Each element of vertical communication has been equipped with an elevator or ramps. Toilets adapted to people with disabilities have also been designed, providing adequate manoeuvring space and the necessary equipment.