Paper Title
Translation of Therapeutic Architecture as a Guideline for Residential Design
Abstract
The dissertation investigates how therapeutic architecture can be used to combat the present context of
deteriorating mental health around the world. It attempts to create an understanding of the design strategies of therapeutic
architecture that create healing environments and how these can be used as a guideline for residential design to positively
reinforce the mental health of the general public. The onset of COVID-19 pandemic further caused a rise in stress, anxiety
and other negative impacts which high lights the need for residential spaces to be conducive of a healthier mind, body and
spirit. The literature review explores theories and models similar to therapeutic architecture, its design elements and their
impact on human psychology and physiology. For therapeutic architecture to be translated to residential design
appropriately, a better understanding is achieved by looking into how humans perceive their build environment and how
stresses and built environment are perceived differently by patients as opposed to non-patients. Surveys and interviews with
psychiatrists and psychologists helped gain first-hand information of what promotes healing. An online survey of sample
group of 100 people from the general public attempts to gain more insight into the mental health of the public and how their
current residential spaces promote or deter better mental health. The findings from the case studies and surveys show how
current residential spaces can be better designed through the appropriate integration of therapeutic architecture, to positively
reinforce the mental health of its residents and expose them to spaces that promote a healthy life.
Keywords - Therapeutic Architecture, Mental Health, Residential Design, COVID-19, Healing Spaces