A Space to breathe
Interior Architecture & Design
Soothing Spaces
Our surroundings can vastly change how we feel, and quite often they change our mood without us even realising. Some spaces can create a sense of fear, like walking down an unknown dark road by yourself, but equally, other places can prompt memories of a happy moment from the past, like a cosy room that feels like your parents’ home perhaps. Sometimes you enter a space that simply makes you feel comfortable, so “can the spaces around us help us to heal? Can we design places so as to enhance their healing properties?” (Sternberg, 2009, p.1).
“The space you’re in directly affects not just your mood, but also your health and your wellbeing” (Dyckhoff, 2011). Simple things such as a window view, a soothing scent or even a pet wondering around could make a working environment so much more pleasant to be in, and could subsequently also increase productivity for the people having to spend long hours in the same place.
This tab will comprise of various aspects which relate to de-stressing and general well-being. I will be using this section of my research to refer back to during the design process of my project. By using these as starting points for my questionnaire about de-stressing, I will also be able to determine which topics are relevant, and therefore apply them accordingly to my design.
Pet Therapy
"Studies show that animals can reduce tension and improve mood" (Dohleny, K., WebMD).
"Animals have been proven to decrease patients' anxiety and pain and thus improve their quality of life’" (Regehr, Glancy & Pitts, 2013).
The video shown here was an experiment set in LA, where Purina's brand Tidy Cats created a space for stressed people to receive "free therapy".
What starts out as a meditation-based 15 minutes, soon turns into 'play time' with numerous kittens. The experiment seems to have been very successful, and viewers all over the world who only watched the video, have also agreed that even simply the idea of kitten therapy feels good.
The video has been shared on many blogs and social media pages, and is increasingly promoting the idea of pets as a source of relaxation.
In this instance, the space is simply a glass box located in the middle of a park which allows natural lighting in, and still feels as though you are outdoors. The green surroundings often produce a calming response to most people, and by combining that with the unexpected appearing of tiny furry creatures, the sense of happiness can easily over-rule any negative feelings.
Nottingham Trent Students' Union trialled an unorthodox method of de-stressing students around their final exam period last year... They provided a "puppy room" as an experiment to minimise exam nerves.
Students had the opportunity to visit the puppy room and spend time with the guide-dogs, as well as make a donation towards their charity organisation, helping both parties.
The experiment was a huge success, and this simple solution is said to hopefully become a recurring event at the university. Other institutions such as "The University of York and Aberdeen University in Scotland have followed suit and the idea is spreading rapidly" (T. Paulin, Love That Pet Blog).
"Studies going back to the early 1980s support the idea that dogs—and other pets—have enormous health benefits for people. Pets have been shown to lower blood pressure, improve recovery from heart disease, and even (...) improve people’s psychological well-being and self-esteem" (Guest Blogger at Harvard University Blog).
Meditation
Studies have shown that meditation and yoga can be very helpful in calming people, and therefore reducing stress and creating a healthier mind."Mindfulness-based approaches are effective in reducing the effects of stress on university students” (Regehr, Glancy & Pitts, 2013).
This mindfulness-based practice can even be as simple as taking a few moments to be still, in silence, and concentrate on your breathing. However, although"Formal mindfulness meditation includes sitting, walking, (...) mindfulness can also be practiced through activities of daily life, such as washing the dishes or eating a meal" (Palmer, 2009). What Palmer describes here, can be interpreted as simply 'taking a break'. By taking the time to do something other than the stressful task, you can allow your mind to wonder and think of other things, therefore de-stressing.
An article published in the Sunday Times covered the topic of ‘Stillness’ and how simply taking a few moments a day to be still and silent can be extremely beneficial to the mind, particularly in an educational environment.
"Private schools are using mindfulness and meditation to ease pupils’ stress and nurture thought, says James Gillespie.
The pupils at St James Senior Boys’ School begin their days by doing absolutely nothing. For 10 minutes everything pauses; no phones, no emails, no chatter — just peace and quiet. The private school in Ashford, Surrey, has long prided itself on bringing a philosophical approach to education but now — quite by chance — it finds itself at the forefront of a new trend: stillness. At least three books are coming out over the next two months extolling the virtues of stillness, and a growing number of experts believe the idea can help at both school and university" (Gillespie, J., Sunday Times).
The article was talking about a school in this case, and explaining how meditation should be something of a custom amongst students, so that they can become aware of their breathing, surroundings, and therefore increase concentration.
"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (WHO, 1946).
"Restoring balance between the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual dimensions of an individual is the ultimate goal" (Margolin, Pierce & Wiley, 2011, p.245).
Japanese Architecture
What I particularly enjoy about traditional Japanese architecture, is how the natural materials are used abundantly, and how the interior spaces have a humble atmosphere. A characteristic feature of their design is the ‘Shoji’ – a wooden frame with translucent rice paper which is typically used for sliding doors or room dividers. The material is very fragile and creates a delicate finish as it diffuses light through the space.
In the 2011 series The Secret Life of Buildings, critic Tom Dyckhoff talks about materials being the skin of architecture, the bit we touch and engage with. Dyckhoff says in the video that “materials shouldn’t be an after-thought [because] they have a direct physiological effect on our senses, and they make a home, homely.”
Within Japanese architecture, designs tend to be very minimal, with soft woods and natural lighting working together with indoor gardens which often creates a soothing, peaceful space.
“’Ma’, which means space or sense of place in Japanese, is (…) more about the experience of space than the building as a physical entity (…)‘Ma’ could also be translated as a void or pause – you could describe it as a rich emptiness” (Kuma, K. in Royal Academy of Arts, 2014, p.65).
Outdoor Elements
It is well known that we all depend on natural light, and that lack of it can affect our health. “You are more likely to be depressed. You are increasing your chances of immunosuppression, (…) and of course all that is associated with increased levels of susceptibility to disease.” (Professor Foster in: Dyckhoff, 2011).
Not only do we need vitamin D from sunlight, but it seems that people generally have a tendency to feel happier being in a natural environment. Of course the weather will have implications on how we perceive the outdoors, but if a somewhat enclosed space could be designed with “A variety of foliage, trees, and flowers, as well as different colours, shapes, textures, and smells,” then we could “create an enjoyable multisensory experience of nature”(Downing, Martson & Fleming, 2014) whilst still being indoors, all year-round.
“In 1860, Florence Nightingale wrote that darkened rooms were harmful and sunlit rooms healthful” (Sternberg, 2009, p.4). It is not possible to always have sunlight in the UK, but I would like to incorporate as much natural light as possible into my design, and use soft artificial lighting where a supplement is needed.
‘The relationship between the environment and human well-being is at the centre of human existence and experience’ (Coles & Millman, 2013, p.53).
The correct combination of lighting in a space can help determine how the space will be used and how it will make us feel. In Peter Zumthor’s Therme Baths, “The combinations of light and shade, open and enclosed spaces and linear elements make for a highly sensuous and restorative experience” (ArchDaily, 2009). What I like about Zumthor’s design here, are the narrow linear elements along the ceiling which lets natural light come into the space. These work beautifully with the textured walls as well as the reflective properties of the water.
“The Therme Vals is built from layer upon layer of locally quarried Valser Quarzite slabs. This stone became the driving inspiration for the design, and is used with great dignity and respect” (ArchDaily, 2009). This tactile material is also very interesting to look at due to its natural variation in colour. Again, this becomes a key part of the soothing character of this building and is a great example of how contrast and shading can be achieved with minimal lighting.
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