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TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Figures 1-4

Thesis Abstract 6
Intro 9 - 10
Addictive Minds 13 - 24
Spiritual Recovery through Architecture 25 - 36
Site Analysis 37 - 46
Program Development 47 - 62
Turning Concept into Construction 63 - 76
Design Development 77 - 84
Final Design 85 - 114
Conclusion 115 - 118
Bibliography 119 - 120
 LIST OF FIGURES
INTRO 4 . 3 page 39
1 . 1 page 9 Berry College Mill - Hilly Forrest View
Zen Symbol (http://www.calpoly.edu/~calpo (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIrvxnV-Ymw
lyzen/Images/zen-symbol4_copy_vectorized.png) /UCT1S7bOhtI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/Wj42m4lP5l0/
s1600/Rome2.jpg)
ADDICTIVE MINDS 4 . 4 page 39
2 . 1 page 17 Berry College Mill - Rusic Materials
The Vicious Cyclde of Addiction (http://veronicathepajamathief365project.files.
(Groman p. 299) wordpress.com/2012/01/old-mill-at-berry-college
2 . 2 page 20 -in-rome-georgia-usa-by-melissa-at-flickr.jpg)
The Native American Healing Experience 4 . 5 page 40
(Coyhis p. 1935) Diagram of Site Location (by author)
2 . 3 page 21 4 . 6 page 41
Traditional vs. Contemporary Values View of Site - Lake (http://www.landwa
(Coyhis p. 1936) tch.com/Floyd-County-Georgia-Land-for-sale/pid/
2 . 4 page 22 45000663)
The Tweleve Teahings of the Wellbriety 4 . 7 page 41
Movement (Coyhis p. 1944) View of Site - Wooded Area (http://www.land
watch.com/Floyd-County-Georgia-Land-for-sale
SPIRITUAL RECOVERY THROUGH /pid/145000663)
ARCHITECTURE 4 . 8 page 42
3 . 1 page 28 View of Site - Steep Slope (http://www.landwa
Nature Inspired Architecture (Day p. 50) tch.com/Floyd-County-Georgia-Land-for-sale/pid/
3 . 2 page 30 45000663)
Unique Door Design (Day p. 19) 4 . 9 page 42
3 . 3 page 31 View of Site - Wooded Area (http://www.land
Self-sufficient Architecture with Natural watch.com/Floyd-County-Georgia-Land-for-sale
and Local Materials (Pearson p. 58) /pid/145000663)
3 . 4 page 33 4 . 10 page 42
The Beauty of Natural Light (Pearson p. 67) View of Site - Lake (http://www.landwa
3 . 5 page 34 tch.com/Floyd-County-Georgia-Land-for-sale/pid/
The Beauty of Color in Architecture 145000663)
(Pearson p. 24) 4 . 11 page 42
Zooming in Aerial View of Site (Google
SITE ANALYSIS Maps)
4 . 1 page 39 4 . 12 page 43
Rome, Georgia ( http://northamericanhome Site Dimensions (http://www.landwa
care.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images tch.com/Floyd-County-Georgia-Land-for-sale/pid/
/Rome-GA.7200750_std.jpg) 145000663)
4 . 2 page 39 4 . 13 page 44
Historic Rome, Georgia ( http://grc.gcsu.edu Site Boundaries (http://www.landwa
/files/geog4080/web/oconee_shoals/800px-Yazoo- tch.com/Floyd-County-Georgia-Land-for-sale/pid/
Georgia_Controversy.png) 145000663)
4 . 14 page 44
Rome, Georgia Weather (http://weatherspark
.com/averages/31482/Rome-Georgia-United-States)

1
4 . 15 page 45
Site Context Model (by author)
4 . 16 page 45
Site Concept Model (by author)
4 . 17 page 45
Site Concept Model (by author)
4 . 18 page 46
Site Concept Model (by author)
4 . 19 page 46
Site Concept Model (by author)
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
5 . 1 page 49
Falling Water Building Section (http://data.
greatbuildings.com/gbc/drawings/Fallingwater
_Section.jpg)
5 . 2 page 50
Falling Water - Natural Materials (http://ww
w.designspeakstl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/
-01/Wright-fallingwater-ext3.jpg)
5 . 3 page 50
Falling Water - Among Trees (http://www.bu
syboo.com/wp-content/uploads/modern-house
-fallingwater-3.jpg)
5 . 4 page 50
Falling Water - Incorporating Site (http://
www.fallingwater.org/img/home_assets/new
_first.jpg)
5 . 5 page 51
Cordwood with Colored Glass (http://ww
w.inspirationgreen.com/assets/images/Blog-Build
ing/Cordwood%20Bldg/cordwood%20wall.jpg)
5 . 6 page 52
Cordwood Construction (http://www.inspira
tiongreen.com/assets/images/Blog-Building/
Cordwood%20Bldg/Treehaven.jpg)
5 . 7 page 52
Cordwood with Green Roof (http://www.nat
uralbuildingblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/
04/Wholewoods-natural-roundhouse.jpg)
5 . 8 page 53
Reading Room (http://www.templemound.
com/facilities/reading_room_files/dscn0244-2.jpg)
5 . 9 page 54
Guest Room (http://www.templemound.com
/index/files/dscn1809.jpg)
5 . 10 page 54
Temple Mound (http://www.templemound.com
/index/files/dscn1809.jpg)
5 . 11 page 54
Meditation Trail (http://www.templemound.com
/facilities/meditation_trail_files/dscn1780.jpg)
5 . 12 page 55
Monastery Main Building - Natural
Materials (http://86sfa2wpzvx3fgjsn3har7
obhw.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/
uploads/2012/11/house-night.jpg)
5 . 13 page 56
Monastery - Zen Garden (http://86sfa2wpzvx3
fgjsn3har7obhw.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-
content/uploads/2012/11/rockgarden.jpeg)
5 . 14 page 56
Monastery - Cabins (http://86sfa2wpzvx3fgjsn
3har7obhw.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/
uploads/2012/11/aframes.jpg)
5 . 15 page 56
Monastery - Hermitage (http://86sfa2wpzvx3
fgjsn3har7obhw.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-
content/uploads/2012/11/hermitage.jpg)
5 . 16 page 57
Creative Expression (http://www.eomega.org/
sites/default/files/styles/article_md/public/images/
articles/omega_institute_find_your_creative_ out
let.jpg?itok=v9JTgVnM)
5 . 17 page 58
OMEGA - Group Dining (http://www.eom
ega.org/sites/default/files/images/dining-group.jpg)
5 . 18 page 58
OMEGA - Yoga (http://www.eomega.org/sites/
default/files/learning-paths/Heart%20header%20
yoga.jpg)
5 . 19 page 58
OMEGA - Guest Room (http://www.eom
ega.org/sites/default/files/images/green-room.jpg)
5 . 20 page 59
Meditation Trail with Labyrinth (http://stm
arksaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01
/Labyrinth.jpg)
5 . 21 page 60
The Forest Retreat (http://www.stayvacation
rentals.com/resources/listings/pphoto_07411507
0111_forest-retreat-cabin-1-1.jpg)
2
 LIST OF FIGURES
5 . 22 page 62 7.2 page 79
Yoga (https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images Stone Wall (http://www.24ktgreen.com/upload
?q=tbn:ANd9GcSNAAh1hp56dtILXbv9rFR9jujxF ed_images/rockwall.JPG)
m1wgxlQBNE9tU5D_M29qs6i) 7.3 page 79
Wood Panels (http://blog.sndimg.com/hgt
TURNING CONCEPT INTO v/design/Erin-Loechner/wall.jpg)
CONSTRUCTION 7.4 page 79
6 . 1 page 65 Stone Steps (http://sublimegardende
The Addiction Tree (http://aedfoundation sign.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/nat
inc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/addictiontree. ural-stone-steps.jpg)
gif) 7.5 page 79
6 . 2 page 67 Wood Mullions (http://www.centralglass.ca/
Human Spirit, Earth, God Trinity (by files/window-walls-curtain-walls[2].jpg)
author) 7.6 page 79
6 . 3 page 68 Cordwood (http://www.cordwoodmason
Twelve Step/Wellbriety Diagram (by ry.com/images/IMG_1298a.JPG)
author) 7.7 page 79
6 . 4 page 69 Color Glass Cordwood (http://3.bp.blog
Conecpt into Program Diagram (by author) spot.com/_YOlh-xVmP-k/TKD0jn
6 . 5 page 70 ri86I/AAAAAAAAAyY/D__VUmY
Program Location Diagrams (by author) QMi4/s1600/IMG_1797.JPG)
6 . 6 page 71 7.8 page 79
Program Diagram (by author) Roof Shakers (http://www.aplsroof
6 . 7 page 72 ing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/wood-shin
Circulation Diagram (by author) gle.jpg)
6 . 8 page 73 - 74 7.9 page 79
Turning Wellriety into Architecture (by Exposed Structure (http://homeguides.sfga
author) te.com/DM-Resize/photos.demandstudios.com/get
6 . 9 page 75 ty/article/117/32/87814760_XS.jpg?w=442&
Form Diagram (by author) h=442&keep_ratio=1)
6 . 10 page 75 7 . 10 page 79
Stain Glass Cordwood (by author) Exposed Roof Structure (http://drkdesign.
6 . 11 page 76 files.wordpress.com/2010/07/l1120153.jpg)
Section View Light Diagram (by author) 7 . 11 page 79
6 . 12 page 76 Folding Glass Doors (http://p.globalsourc
Plan View Light Diagram (by author) es.com/IMAGES/PDT/B1080025678/Wood
en-Grain-Design-Aluminum-Folding-Doors.jpg)
7 . 12 page 79
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT Planters on Terraces (http://st.houzz.com/
7 . 1 page 79 simgs/9321e48e000aea32_4-5690/traditional-out
Stick Louvers (http://patsfencing.com.au/ door-planters.jpg)
wp-content/uploads/2012/05/old-style-woven 7 . 13 page 80
-fence.jpg) Detail Wall Section (by author)

3
7 . 14 page 82 8 . 6 page 91
North Door (http://www.idesignarch.com/ North Hermitage Plan (by author)
wp-content/uploads/2010/08/artfactory 8 . 7 page 91
DoorZwingerPalace.jpg) North Hermitage Perspective (by author)
7 . 15 page 82 8 . 8 page 92
East Door (http://www.artsignsinteriors.com/im South Hermitage Plan (by author)
ages/pg44/home-wood-decorative_2.jpg) 8 . 9 page 92
7 . 16 page 82 South Hermitage Perspective (by author)
West Door (http://www.zomdai.com/imag 8 . 10 page 92
es/2013/12/interior-furniture-modern-minimalist-in West Hermitage Plan (by author)
terior-glass-and-wood-entry-doors-design-mod 8 . 11 page 92
ern-interior-doors-design-for-2014.jpg) West Hermitage Perspective (by author)
7 . 17 page 82 8 . 12 page 93 - 94
South Door (http://www.doorsbydecora.net/clie North/South Section (by author)
ntimages/41910/countryfrench/dbyd2033_lb.jpg) 8 . 13 page 95 - 96
7 . 18 page 83 East/West Section (by author)
Bathroom ADA (http://www.harborcitysup 8 . 14 page 97
ply.com/ADA/ADA_alcove_eor_B.jpg) South Elevation (by author)
7 . 19 page 83 8 . 15 page 98
Ramps ADA (http://www.lowes.com/brands/Ac West Elevation (by author)
cessibleHome/images/graph.gif ) 8 . 16 page 99 - 100
7 . 20 page 84 Exterior Path View (by author)
First Floor Egress (by author) 8 . 17 page 101 - 102
7 . 21 page 84 Second Floor Entry (by author)
Second Floor Egress (by author) 8 . 18 page 103 - 104
7 . 22 page 84 Art Studio (by author)
Third Floor Egress (by author) 8 . 19 page 105 - 106
7 . 23 page 84 Art Gallery (by author)
Stair Code (http://www.contractortalk.com/attach 8 . 20 page 107 - 108
ments/f50/11349d1220149189-aussie-stairs-ameri Reading Room (by author)
can-style-stringer-7-inch-rise-11-inch-run2.jpg 8 . 21 page 109 - 110
Yoga Room (by author)
FINAL DESIGN 8 . 22 page 111 - 112
8 . 1 page 87 - 88 Entry View (by author)
Site Plan (by author) 8 . 23 page -113 - 114
8 . 2 page 89 Final Board Design (by author)
First Floor Plan (by author)
8 . 3 page 89
Second Floor Plan (by author)
8 . 4 page 90
Third Floor Plan (by author)
8 . 5 page 91
Typical Guest Unit (by author)

4
5
 Holistic Wellness
A Spiritual Healing Center

Christine Ellis

August 2014

This thesis focuses on creating architecture that enchances spiritual healing by acting as a
medum between human soul and the energy of the Universe. Acheiving this will come from
inspiration driven by the Twelve-Step program developed by Alcoholics Anonymous.
However, because the focus is on people with unmanageable lives, drug related or not, focus
on the Native American’s Wellbriety Movement approach to these steps will be the driving
force for design. By doing this, the result will be the well-being and true recovery of people
who feel they have unmanagable lives, and searching for spiritual help.

6
 serenity
courage
wisdom
 Th e S e r e n i ty Pr a y e r
God,
Grant me
the s e r e n i ty to accept
the things I can not change,
the c o u r a g e to change
the things I can,
and the w i s do m to know
the difference.
- Reinhold Niebuhr
 Figure 1.1

INTRO

9
 This [thesis] is intended to help all individuals find
a better way of life through enlightenment,
transcendence, and a personal relationshp with Divinity.
It is especially [designed] for those who are sick and tired of being sick
and tired, and who don’t know what they want but are very sure they don’t
want what they have. (Herb K. xi)
People look for help from a divine power because the architecture itself is spiritual. By
in order to find themselves, in order to make sense creating an architectural language that serves not
of the world, or in order to make sense of their own only as a catalyst, but as a channel for conversation
lives when chaos surrounds them. People search for between human soul and universal energy, the built
peace in their world - but that has to start with peace environment can carry occupants to a greater
from within. To find peace within, those in search spiritual existence. Architecture that is spiritually
of answers ask for help from a spiritual source. In connected to the earth it occupies will then transfer
most cases, that means gathering to a church or a the energy of the universe into the soul of the
wellness center to find people that can assist with occupant, and vice versa, creating spiritual
gaining answers. The buildings themselves wholeness, which results in internal peace within
typically have little impact on people looking for their mind, body, and soul. And for people
spiritual guidance – but it could. searching for solutions that can help with their
Those in need of spiritual help, and in this personal demons, this architectural language could
specific case, those in need of addiction treatment, speak the answers they are wishing and/or needing
can gather in a built environment that is not only to hear.
spiritual because the outdoor signage says so, but

10
“The mission of an architect
is to help people understand
how to make life more beautiful,
the world a better one for living in,
and to give reason, rhyme,
and meaning to life.”
– Frank Lloyd Wright
ADDICTIVE MINDS
 “We may not be responsible for the world that
created our minds, but we can take responsibility
for the mind which we create our world.”
- Gabor Mate
 UNDERSTANDING WHY
PEOPLE’S LIVES BECOME UNMANAGEABLE
People have always looked for the 'new
big thing,' the new technology, an innovative
design in hopes to improve the future. But, in some
ways, so many man-made materials are being
produced that the beauty and value of the existing
world is being overlooked. Since man has created a
prescription drug for just about anything, more and
more people are being diagnosed with some sort of
mental disorder. Feeling down or having trouble
focusing on a task? There's a prescription drug for
that. Humans try to treat a problem with a drug
(prescribed or self-medicated) that sometimes
results in addiction. In a world looking for
innovative and new ideas, instead of treating the
mind with a drug, why not treat the mind with the
mind? A new, healthier approach should be taken:
create a world using architecture designed to help
heal the mind.
Behavioral addictions, in particular,
currently have no specific treatment methods -
medical or psychological (Grant 252). These
addiction also have been proven to be one of the
root causes of substance or alcohol abuse. When a
person has an addiction, they fail to resist the urge
or temptation to behave in a way that is harmful to
his/herself and/or others around them. Though no
Addictive Minds
15
treatment has been proven to cure any addiction,
self-help programs and cognitive-behavioral
therapy has been shown to help individuals
improve their quality of life. An encouragement of
healthy behavior and avoidance of high-stress
situations make for a better way of living. Some
addictive personalities will have more than one
addiction within their lifetime, which suggests
individuals with any sort of addiction have the
same underlying psychiatric issue (Grant 256).
Very often the stress of dealing with everyday life is
the trigger and motivation for an addiction. If a
person suffering with an addiction does not seek
help, it can destroy their life or even end in death
(Grant 257). The built environment can help aid in
the treatment of addictions by encouraging
relaxation.
When an individual suffers from an
addiction, the mindset goes from wanting, to
craving, to needing, creating a psychological
dependence to the object of their addiction
(DiFranza 815). Studies have shown that when an
individual tries to give up their addiction, they go
through withdrawal symptoms that range from
“easily ignored,” to “intrusive thoughts,” to “can't
function” (DiFranza 820). The repetitive behavior
of rewarding desire creates not only a physical
addiction, but a psychological one, as well
(DiFranza 819). It has been suggested that the
longer an addict continues to satisfy their urges, the
stronger their addiction becomes and is harder to
treat. If the repetition of negative behavior can
become addicting, the repetition of positive
behavior should be used as treatment.
“A particular dimension of interest is
cognitive control ability because impairments in
the capacity to control thoughts, feelings, and
actions are key to several psychiatric disorders.
Here, we describe evidence suggesting that
cognitive control over behavior is a crucial
dimension of function relevant to addictions”
(Groman 295). Depending on the severity of an
addiction will depend how well certain treatments,
like intervention, affect different individuals. Every
mental disorder is different, as well as every
individual, so finding the right treatment can be
very challenging. The key is to study the
abnormalities of these personalities in order to
explain why it happens and how to develop
treatment. Teaching an individual with mental
illness how to manage cognitive control can be
used not only to treat addictions but other mental
issues, such as anxiety and obsessive compulsive
disorder. Cognitive control is a person's ability to
control their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
“Substance dependence is defined as compulsive
and inflexible drug-seeking and -taking, despite the
negative consequences associated with that
behavior. This concept likely extends to so-called
process addictions, as there is evidence that similar
forms of compulsive behaviors can develop in
response to nondrug reinforcers, including food
and sex” (Groman 296). When people have
certain mental disorders, they have impulse
behaviors that make resisting urges more difficult.
They will also lack the ability to make good
decisions or care about the consequences of their
actions. The main focus of cognitive control is the
ability to realize the benefits of good behavior by
making life goals. The inability to have cognitive
control could be from genetics prior to drug
exposure, but not always. Just the use and exposure
to drugs has been shown to diminish the ability for
cognitive control, therefore making the addiction
worse and worse after prolonged exposure to the
drug. There are some pharmaceutical drugs that
can enhance the ability for good cognitive
behavior, but psychological training for cognitive
16
 control is the only true way to lead a sober life
(Groman 297). When it comes down to how an
addict thinks, psychologists look at the
dopaminergic system within the corticostriatal
circuit of the brain because evidence shows that the
basis of behavior and cognitive function starts from
there. However, looking at that area of the brain
does not necessarily predict future addiction, so
researchers only assume that damage to the
corticostriatal circuit directly relates to the
development of an addiction. Because the brain
relies on several layers of nuclei networks, and
cognitive control has several levels itself (working
memory, behavior flexibility, response intuition),
the prefrontal cortex of the human brain has also
been proven to be essential for cognitive function.
This is not only true for addictions, but for other
disorders, such as anxiety and depression. The
prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that
receives dopamine neurons, and without
dopamine, damage can be done to the
corticostriatal circuit, thus resulting in addiction or
the development of other mental disorders
(Groman 298). Dopamine levels tend to lower with
the exposure to certain substances, like cocaine,
heroine, and/or alcohol, but the dependency on

Figure 2.1 - A diagram showing the integration

and overlap of root issues of addiction and how
prolonged use makes the situation worse.

Addictive Minds
17
these substances stem from the lack of dopamine in
the first place, resulting in the addiction to the
abnormal desire for seeking and taking said
substance, as seen in Figure 1.
Certain individuals, like those with
ADHD, are not able to produce enough dopamine,
so are, in some cases, very susceptible to possible
addiction. The user may develop an addiction
based on the brain's desire for dopamine by
overindulging in activities that increase dopamine
levels, again saying that the root of the problem
only gets worse with prolonged exposure to the
addiction to substances. Although the lack of
dopamine and the use of cognitive control have
been shown to directly affect the possibility of
developing an addiction, a high level of dopamine
can cause cognitive control issues, as well, because
of the intense rewarding feeling dopamine causes.
However, it has also been shown that just because
an individual has cognitive control abilities,
abnormal dopamine levels can harm their behavior
in terms of developing mental disorders (300). That
being said, if an individual can learn how to better
control their thoughts and behaviors, and manage
their dopamine levels, addiction recovery is
possible. With prolonged exposure to a substance,
dopamine receptors weaken, creating an impaired
sense of positive rewards and therefore developing
a behavioral addiction and substance dependence.
By understanding how the brain works on a
biological level, and figuring out the basis of
addictions, allows the development of treatment
for mental disorders.
Mental illness and substance abuse can go
hand-in-hand (Mental). There are 23.1 million
people in the United States that are in need of
substance or alcohol abuse treatment, which is nine
percent of the world's population. The Journal of
American Medical Association (JAMA) has stated
that fifty percent of people with severe mental
conditions (such as depression and anxiety) will
also have a substance or alcohol addiction. The
reverse can also be said that addiction causes
mental illness – thirty-seven percent of alcoholics,
and fifty-three percent of drug addicts have been
reported to have mental illness(es). It is common
that a person with a mental illness will
self-medicate with alcohol and drugs – thus
making their illness even worse. Overexposure to
drugs such as ecstasy can alter chemicals in the
brain which results in behavior and mood disorders
that cause depression and anxiety, which the user
18
 will then, in most cases, self-treat with alcohol or
more drugs. People that expose themselves to
drugs or alcohol at a young age can damage their
brain development of cognitive and social
behavior, which can lead to mental illness in their
futures. This creates a vicious cycle and proves that
in order to achieve sobriety, mental health
treatment is vital. However, out of the 23.1 million
that need help from addiction in the United States,
only nine percent receive actual treatment.
Because mental illness has several factors,
including genetics, the environment, and major life
experiences, the disease can be a challenge to treat
medically – which could be the reason so few seek
treatment. The fact that a person's surrounding
environment has been known to contribute to the
development of mental illness validates the need
for the built environment to be a factor in treating
the mind. Hopefully by creating inviting spaces
that help improve mental health, more people will
seek treatment, thus resulting in happier, sober lives
for millions of people.
Apparently a new term in the English
language, Wellbriety means to be sober and well
(Coyhis 1928). Wellbriety means a mental,
physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being that
Addictive Minds
19
leads to a sober life – it's the difference between
being 'in recovery' versus 'recovered.' One of the
major factors of mental health treatment is “change
from within.” People with addictions or mental
illness issues have to have the desire to change their
own life – a conscious decision and dedication to
changing behavior (Coyhis 1930). Healing will
happen inside out. The Native American
community has developed a holistic approach to
recovery by using what is called “The Healing
Forest” (1931). In order to treat mental illness, the
root causes on a spiritual or subconscious level
must be determined. Typically these issues cause
“anger, guilt, shame, and fear,” which then turn into
a behavior disorder. By replacing “anger, guilt,
shame, and fear” with “healing, hope, unity, and
forgiveness,” wellbriety can be achieved.. A
method called the “Medical Wheel” has also been
developed for mental health healing. This method
is a focus on the cycling of energy, and how all
living things are interconnected with energies, thus
connected to a greater power - the “Great Spirit” or
“Creator” (1932). This method relates the life cycle
(baby, youth, adult, elder) to the Earth's seasons
(spring, summer, fall, winter) and compass
directions (east, south, west, north), and then to
Figure 2.2 - A representation of a holistic approach to the 12 step program and how it integrates with
the “Medical Wheel” treatment method.

20
 Figure 2.3 - Values developed by the Native Americans for spiritual healing versus the values of western
American contemporary values
Addictive Minds
21
Figure 2.4 - The 12 step program developed by the Native American Wellbriety movement

22
 human development (emotional, mental, physical,
spiritual). This wheel teaches that opposites, or
polarities, have been put on Earth to create balance
(ex: good/bad, man/woman). When a human feels
anxiety or stress, these feelings are messages from
the universe that there is an imbalance within and
that balance needs to be achieved. To focus on the
conscious and subconscious effects of the world
may be the answer to addiction treatment – look at
the world that can be seen, as well as the world that
can not be seen. Because human beings exist in a
world where the physical state dominates their
lives, by gaining spirituality and traveling to a
spiritual state, recovery is more likely to happen.
Native Americans typically do this with sacred
pipes, sweat lodges, sun dances, and other such
rituals that bring the physical body to a heart
healing state (1931-32). True healing is when the
spiritual and physical forms have recovered. It is
assumed that nature has always been used as guide
to life – to live alongside nature means to live
alongside earth and all of its power and healing
energies (1938). Buildings built out of natural
materials or therapies involved in natural contact
often result in better recovery. Not only should
there be a focus on recovery, but on prevention, as
Addictive Minds
23
well (1939). By teaching preventative methods,
people on the verge of a substance or alcohol issue
can seek help and prevent the development of an
addiction.
The built environment and the spaces it
creates should not be seen as only a physical
surrounding, but as an interconnection between
conscious and subconscious (Fuchs 426). The built
environment can be described as an “ecological
niche,” which implies that physical surroundings
have a direct relationship with how a person reacts
and behaves. Human beings as a whole have
developed the physical world as it is today, but
without realizing how the world negatively
impacts human beings on an individual level
(Fuchs 427). Humans have affect over the
environment, but in tandem, the environment has
affect over humans. When a person is experiencing
a mental health issue, they feel like there is no
supporting ground or reason for their existence –
metaphorically speaking, a disorder in lived space
(Fuchs 428). It is said that the phenomenology of
the unconscious mind plays a vital role in
psychotherapy because several underlying issues
lay within subconsciousness. If repeated flashes of
ideas, memories or skewed interpretations of
physical reality can in fact result in poor mental
health, then it can be assumed that repeated
exposure to physical spaces that create a positive
subconscious response can be used to better mental
well-being.
The mind, body, and spirit are one. If the
body is happy in it's built environment, then so will
the mind and spirit. Happier people make for
happier, better societies and communities. By
studying how the mind works and how to design to
appeal to a person's subconscious, an innovative
way of healing can be discovered. This has been
proven with the use of colors, lighting, size of
spaces, room layouts, exposure to nature and even
encouragement of yoga and meditation. It has been
proven that sound can also access deep levels of the
subconscious mind and that repeated exposure to
certain sounds can teach the mind to behave a
certain way. With the integration of all these factors
and how architecture can expose them in a facility
designed specifically for such a healing, the 'new
big thing' will be recovering mental health through
the physical environment.

...

24
SPIRITUAL RECOVERY
THROUGH ARCHITECTURE
 “In architecture, as in life,
to separate spirit and matter is to destroy both.”
- Frank Lloyd Wright
 THE TRINITY OF
HUMAN SOUL, BUILT ENVIRONMENT, AND DIVINE POWER
Speaking from a scientific standpoint,
human beings are made up of the same atoms that
were once stars (Tyson). Old stars collapsed and
exploded and evolved into galaxies, planets, and
living organisms. Therefore, humans are literally
creations of the universe. Everything on Earth, and
Earth itself, are creations of the universe. To realize
this creates a connection between human soul and
universal power. American astrophysicist Neil
deGrasse Tyson states:
There’s a level of connectivity. That’s
really what you want in life, you
want to feel connected, you want to
feel relevant, you want to feel like a
participant in the goings on of
activities and events around you.
(Tyson)
It only makes sense that spiritual centers
should be designed with architecture that not only
becomes one with the earth, but embraces and
enhances it – a loving experience of wholeness and
harmony, creating balance and sense of oneness.
Frank Lloyd Wright believed “the good building is
not one that hurts the landscape, but is one that
makes the landscape more beautiful than it was
before that building was built” (Wright 18). This
idea is vital for the sake of creating architecture that
Spiritual Recovery
27
has a spiritual connection to Earth. Nature is
harmoniously connected to the energy of the
universe, to create buildings that harmoniously
connect to the earth as if the architectural form was
destined to be there, inhabitants of that architecture
will harmoniously connect with the universe (Day
20). In order to achieve this, climate, culture,
tradition, and historical issues of the building’s
context must be considered (13, 16). Although
context issues considered could be national instead
of city specific, using the immediate surrounding’s
issues will ultimately result in a form that
communicates with the earth it rests upon. By
consciously considering the site’s context when
designing the built environment, architecture will
unconsciously affect the people it holds. Doing so
creates architecture that acts as the channel
between the power of universe and the human soul.
Architecture that has an intimate
relationship with the earth will be truly connected
to the cosmos, which will then touch the soul
within a person, thus creating a divine trinity that
unconsciously invokes spiritual healing. By
creating such a spiritual relationship, inhabitants
will feel like they truly belong on this earth and find
purpose in their existence. And, as has been
previously discussed, spiritual help is the basis of
true recovery for addictions.
NATURE AS INSPIRATION
FOR SPACE AND FORM
In order to truly connect architecture to
Earth, the building has to nourish the ground it
occupies (Day 9). The purpose of the building
should not only be to fit the needs of the intended
program, but to nurture the earth it occupies and
nurture the occupants it holds. Frank Lloyd Wright
Figure 3.1
used nature as his inspiration for architectural
design because he believed the earth to be more
important than the building (Pearson 50). A
building is but only a guest within nature, so it
should honor and respect the earth it stands on.
Architects should use nature as inspiration
when designing a building for spiritual healing
because nature creates the places people like to go
to relax, such as landscapes, beaches, rivers, and
open valleys (Day 35). It is the spirit of these places
that attract people to them, relieving their stress and
28
 putting their minds at ease.
Wright believed that architecture should
create “a sense of delight and surprise.” Much like
finding spiritual healing is a journey within self,
buildings for spirituality should create a journey
within itself, as well. This can be done with spaces
that require the occupant to walk through a “closed
and restricted space, to one which was light, open,
and airy,” much like the experience of walking
from “a dark forest into a sunny meadow”
(Pearson 50).
When using nature to inspire the
organization of a building’s program and form, the
philosopher Goethe compared the idea to plant
metamorphosis of seed, bud, leaf, flower and fruit.
Each phase is a transformation, but all for one
specific plant (Pearson 52). For an individual going
through a spiritual transformation, having a variety
of spaces encourages growth. Because nature is as
complex as it is simple, designing with organic
shapes will inspire a desire for creativity as well as
enhance individuality within the people gathering
in such interesting spaces (Pearson 50-1). When
applying that to the ideas of spiritual healing, if an
individual feels creative and free, they will be more
receptive to the spiritual world.
Spiritual Recovery
29
Considering context is very important in
making sure the built environment is connected to
the energy of the earth, but that does not mean the
only considerations have to be immediately local.
Referenced in the context paper, the Native
Americans use the cardinal points as spiritual
coordination in their twelve-step addiction recovery
program (Coyhis 1935). This can be used to
orientate the building program on the site. East
represents the first three steps: honesty, hope, and
faith – “finding the creator” (Coyhis 1935). Facing
south is dedicated to finding self with courage,
integrity, and willingness as the next three steps of
the program. Moving to the west means finding
relatives through humility, forgiveness, and justice.
And finally facing north means gaining elders’
wisdom with perseverance, spiritual awareness,
and service, as the last three steps of the program.
Architecturally, this idea can inspire the
arrangement of spaces to create the developmental
journey individuals will go through during their
healing process.
Still considering that spiritual healing is a
journey, transitioning from step to step in a recovery
program could be architecturally interpreted as
moving from room to room, activity to activity, and
 “We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.”
Winston Churchill
mood to mood (Day 24). In order to physically get
from room to room, we have to go through a
doorway. Similarly, to get from step to step, we
have to push through a spiritual barrier, or
metaphorical checkpoint. Designing the shapes of
doorways, and the weight and design of doors, door
handles, and/or door latches (like the one in Figure
6), for each individual phase of the recovery
process, eases the transition, and gives people a
sense of personalized accomplishment (Day 24).
Creating a physical journey can act as a guide for
the spiritual journey.
An example of nature in healing
architecture is the Vidarclinic by architect Erik
Figure 3.2
Asmussen. When explaining his architecture, he
says, “the wall is not merely a wall, it is living, just
like an organism that allows elevations and
depressions to grow out of itself” (Pearson 54). In
order to inspire inhabitants to develop spiritually,
their surrounding environment must inspire them
by being spiritual itself. This can be achieved by
incorporating natural materials, natural light, and
color into physical spaces.
NATURAL MATERIALS
To find spiritual answers within self,
honesty is needed; building materials used in
spiritual architecture need to be honest and true:
natural. Unfortunately, to save money, an
alternative or faux option is sometimes used. On the
topic of using materials that only resemble nature,
such as laminate wood, Christopher Day
comments using such materials is “as hollow and
meaningless as synthetic fresh bread smell outside
a fast-food restaurant.” (Day 20)
Not only does using natural materials have
a spiritual benefit, but an ecological one, as well
(Pearson 73). If a building is harmonious with
nature, it also benefits the environment. By creating
self-sufficient buildings, series of “eco-cycle
30
 Figure 3.3

Spiritual Recovery
31
 “Color has a significance all its own, and is in a realm all its own.
Color is the music of light, you see.”
Frank Lloyd Wright
houses,” or agriculture systems, architecture can
work with nature in harmony (Pearson 74). When a
person is on a spiritual passage to recovery, they
have to learn to be self-reliant. It may, in fact, be
safe to compare that experience to a building that is
completely reliant on nature to stay alive.
More so, because context needs to play a
huge role in spiritual architecture, using local
resources is not only vital, but may even be cheaper
in some regions. Using local materials allows for
the community to play a role in the construction
process, as well. Natural materials that have been
hand crafted are unique, which is as appealing as it
is authentic (Pearson 59). When first-hand manual
labor goes into the construction of a building, it
creates a sense of spirit that connects human soul to
the built environment (Day 14). When a building is
constructed by hand, it is uniquely individual. The
universe hand crafted each individual human being
on Earth, so if a building is created in the same way,
inhabitants searching for spiritual guidance will
find comfort in a building that is perfectly
imperfect, just as they are – emphasizing the trinity
of human soul, built environment, and divine
power. Sometimes this process can take years to
complete, but the results will be an eternal, spiritual
gratification. Life produces emotions, thus nature
produces emotions. If architecture connects to the
energy and life of nature, humans within the built
environment will emotionally tap into the spirit of
the universe (Mahnke 7-8).
NATURAL LIGHT
Research shows that artificial light causes
stress, and can cause us to feel dull about daily life
(Day 12, 16). Unfortunately because artificial light
is so common, and in most cases necessary, people
have become accustomed to its negative effect
(Day 16). And because we have become
accustomed to it, we continue to apply it to our built
surroundings, creating a vicious cycle of negative
impacts on our subconscious mind. In a spiritual
building, it is important to activate the senses, as
well as eliminate as many stress producers as
possible.
There is life in natural light that soothes the
soul, as much as it is beautiful to the human eye
(Day 18). A burning log fire not only gives off a
vibrant light, but a warmth that is not only
physically hot, but comforting to the soul (Day 20).
This “alive” light is “life-enhancing” (Day 21). The
glands in the human brain that affect growth and
32
 hormones have been proven to be affected by
natural light, as well as nourish the soul. Natural
light should shine gently into spaces throughout the
day, creating different intensities and colors that can
affect the moods of occupants.
Light is measured in frequency waves
called nanometers, which depending on the
quantity, can be read as color by the human eye
(Mahnke 6). Therefore light has just as much of a
biological effect on us as colors do – because light
is color.

COLOR
Light is color, and light is energy; therefore
color is also energy, and just as important for use in
spiritual architecture (Mahnke 18). The use of color
in this approach cannot be based on any personal
taste, because it is subjective. The fact of the matter
is this: color affects the subconscious based on
personal preference or not. Human reaction to color
is part of our natural instinctual behavior; the
Figure 3.4 reaction is biological (Mahnke 9). Color may set off
a train of emotions or memories within an
individual that their subconscious creates according
to what their conscious mind is exposed to – their
end thought will probably have nothing to do with

Spiritual Recovery
33
 “Color is a very critical thing. I’ve found that architects don’t like
colors. Engineers too. And so somebody has to stand in. Because this is
the finish of it. It is the emotional part of a structure.”
John Hench

the actual color. This just proves that the built

environment creates cognitive and emotional
responses (Mahnke 7).
To study how colors affect humans,
designers should first consider the major hues: red,
orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple/violet
(Mahnke 60-76). Red is dominant, arousing,
loving, full of life, fierce, and angry. It appears
heavy on the ceiling, aggressive on walls, and
urgent on floors. In reference to sounds, it is
associated with being loud, sweet or spicy to taste
or smell, and firm to the touch. Orange, being a mix
of red and yellow, can have various meanings:
exciting, sociable, or intrusive. Brown is only a
darker version of orange, which is associated with
comfort, nature, and food. Orange is comforting on
the ceiling, intimate on walls, and strange on floors.
For sounds, smells, taste, and touch, it seems
strong: oranges, chocolate, and coffee. Yellow is
the happiest of the colors, resembles the sun, and
depicts a bright future. On the ceiling, it can be
similar to lighting, exciting on walls, and elevating Figure 3.5
on floors. Although pleasant and happy visually,
and appearing smooth to the touch, yellow is
unpleasant when it comes to representing sounds or
taste: high-pitch and sour. Green is the color of

34
 nature. Because blue and yellow creates green, it
CONCLUSION
can have both positive and negative associations:
health or poison. Protective on ceilings, cool on By including different positive energies
walls, and soft on floors, green can also seem dull within the built environment, a hub is created that
with sounds, juicy to the taste, sour to smell, or human beings can use to spiritually connect their
damp to touch. Blue is seen as the relaxing color, soul to the universe – a place that allows the release
secure, peaceful, and comfortable, but can also be of the conscious world and submersion of the
seen as depressing and cold. It can represent water unconscious world. By creating a mystical trinity
or the sky or reflections, closely related to between human soul, built environment, and divine
spirituality. Blue is cosmic on ceilings, calming on power, a united bond will be formed so that those
walls, and effortless on floors. Audibly, blue seems suffering with addictions will have all they need for
distant. It can also seem odorless or tasteless. Last, their spiritual journey to recovery.
but not least, purple/violet can seem seductive and
respectable. Purple appears velvety to the touch, ...
and sweet or narcotic to smell or taste. As pleasant
as it appears, purple is rarely used in interior spaces
because it can seem overpowering, and associated
with sad sounds (Mahnke 60-76).
Spiritualism is colorful; finding self is
never a black and white experience. In order to
further develop a relationship with the universe,
human beings have to connect their soul to every
phenomena of nature. However, considering spirit
growth for healing purposes, designers have to
realize the purpose and place for specific colors – to
create a subconscious harmony.

Spiritual Recovery
35
“Your strength physically is nothing without the
spiritual strength that should go with it.”
Frank Lloyd Wright
SITE ANALYSIS
“The goal of life is to make your hear tbeat
match the beat of the universe,
to match your nature with nature.”
- Joseph Campbell
 CITY OF ROME, GEORGIA

HISTORIC CITY - NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE

Figure 4.1 Figure 4.2

Figure 4.3 BERRY COLLEGE MILL

Figure 4.4

The Native American culture and the historic style of Rome, Georgia proved to be the best location for
this type of building

39
 FLOYD COUNTY
ROME, GA & SHANNON, GA

SHANNON SHANNON
ROME
ATLANTA
SITE
MACON

ROME SAVANNAH

10 MINUTE DRIVE
20 MINUTE DRIVE

Figure 4.5
40
 SITE LOCATION AND CONTEXT
This site is located outside of Shannon, Georgia,
which is eight miles outside of Rome, Georgia. For
the importance of this thesis, finding a site that was
surrounded by nature was vital. This is a five acre
lot, with public community lake access, abundance
of trees, and hilly terrain, which were important in
proving that site is everything when designing
spiritual architecture. In order to become one with
the universe, architecture must become one with, or
enchance, site. The remote location gives humans a
quiet place to connect to a higher power.
Because of the spiritual and natural aspects
of this thesis, I looked closely at specific parts of the
nature in the site, and used a dream dictionary to
Figure 4.6
41
find their spiritual meanings. Water represents
luxury in life, as well as pleasure, love, and passion
(Miller 928). The site includes a beautiful lake - this
particular body of water means reflection, joy, and
friendship (Miller 496). Trees represent
achievement of hopes and desires (Miller 876).
Climbing trees can give a sense of
accomplishment, as well as a time for reflection
once in the tree alone. A rolling hill terrain can stand
for accomplishments, psychological or emotional
(Miller 417).
Figure 4.7
 SHANNON

ROME

Figure 4.8

Figure 4.9

Figure 4.10
Figure 4.11
42
 SITE 5 ACRES = 217,800 SQ FT
Site Location and Context
Figure 4.12
43
 “The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
John Muir

Figure 4.13

A vital part of this thesis is site: preserving it,

enhancing it, and gathering inspiration from it. The Figure 4.14
main focus of a spiritual recovery is taking care of
self. Life is sacred; nature is life; nature is sacred.

44
 SITE MODELS

Figure 4.17 Figure 4.18

The use of pine cones and twigs as trees on the

existing site captures the concept of this thesis.
Nature is the primary focus of this design. By using
Figure 4.19 all natural, raw materials, the beauty of nature is
emphasized.

45
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread,places to play in and pray in,
where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.”
John Muir

Figure 4.15

Figure 4.16
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
“A mind that is stretched by a new experience
can never go back to its old dimensions.”
- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
 CASE STUDIES
FALLING WATER . FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
This thesis is greatly inspired by Frank
Lloyd Wright and his thoughts on preserving and
honoring site. His design fully integrates the site
elements and enhances the landscape. Its
overlapping terraces are pleasing to the eye, and its
use of natural materials prove the architect
thoroughly thought about honoring nature.
Looking at Figure 5.2, his use of natural materials
corresponds with the existing site so well, as if the
Figure 5.1
49
. OHIOPYLE, PA
building was natural itself. The exposed structure
gives an honest look, and the low ceiling gives a
sense of coziness, like a nook or cave to call home.
It creates a sense of exploration, which this thesis
encourages. If an inhabitant of this thesis project
can gain a sense of exploration by simliarily
connecting nature’s spirit into the architecture, the
hope is they will also grow in exploration of
themselves.
 “No house should ever be on a hill or on anything.
It should be of the hill. Belonging to it.
Hill and house should live toether each the happier for the other.”
Frank Lloyd Wright

Figure 5.2 Figure 5.3

Figure 5.4
50
 CASE STUDIES

CORDWOOD CONSTRUTION
One important goal of this thesis is to Very often, other materials such as glass can be
create a close relationship with the spirit of the placed alongside the logs in the walls to create a
Universe in order to aid in spiritual healing. To do stain glass effect (seen in Figure 5.5). These
this, the use of natural materials is vital. An constructions usually have green roofs because of
uprising construction method called cordwood its purely natural materiality as seen in Figure xx.
invovles using logs and mortar, similar to brick Also, as seen in these figures, this construction is
laying, to create walls (Fox). This method is usually for smaller size buildings, so for the sake of
environemntal friendly in its use of nature, as well this thesis, will be used mainly for the smaller,
as its great insulative properties. As stated intimate areas of the site, rather than the main
previously, contructing a buildling by hand building.
captures the human spirit into the architecture, thus
enhancing the Human Spirit, Mother Nature,
Universe trinity needed for developing a
meaningful spiritual relationship. Kelly Hart and
Dr. Owen Geiger state on their “Wholewoods
Natural Buildings” website:
Building something beautiful in
sympathy with the natural world is
Real Building. Around the world
many traditional communities build
this way. Designs of simple beauty
have evolved over generations; their
elegance tells the story of the people Figure 5.5
and their relationship to the land.
(Hart)

51
Figure 5.6

Figure 5.7

52
 CASE STUDIES
TEMPLE MOUND SPIRITUAL WELLNESS CENTER . TARPON SPRINGS, FL
This wellness center includes a meditation
trail with a labyrinth , a reading room, guest rooms,
fire pit/temple site, and a media room for movies.
It’s a fairly small facility, with focus mainly on the
experience of nature. Throughout the meditation
trail, there are specific locations with places to sit
and written suggestions of contemplation. It is said
that the temple has a strong energy that can be felt
and is great for learning energy awareness. The
labyrinth along the trail is also said to be great for
Figure 5.8
53
introspection and spirituality development. In order
to use the facility, you must be a guest or make a
reservation. Meals are supplied. To further focus on
the purpose of this facility, the guest rooms have no
television. They do mention that they have internet,
but greatly encourage an electronic free stay to
better enjoy the experience. They supply
meditation classes and yoga for a very enjoyable
nature based retreat (DerDerian).
Figure 5.9

Figure 5.10 Figure 5.11

54
 CASE STUDIES

ZEN MOUNTAIN MONASTERY . MOUNT TREMPER, NY

This monastery uses local natural building
materials throughout the entire site. There are
several different buildings included in this
monastery, and all of them are built with natural
materials and site in mind. The main building
(Figure 5.12) includes guest rooms, meditation
hall, dining hall, kitchen, lounge, and rooms for
practitioners. The Sangha House includes admin,
library, art studio, body practice space, and reading
rooms. For more one-on-one spiritual
development with self and Universe, there are
small structures called hermitages set up in the hills,
where one stays isolated for a week. The site also
includes a cemetary, mountain views, a tea house
for practitioners, vegetable gardens, zen gardens
(Figure 5.13), cabins for long term practitioners
(Figure 5.14), and a pond for reflection. They offer
several workshops and retreat opportunities
(Ikusei).

Figure 5.12

55
Figure 5.13

Figure 5.14

Figure 5.15

56
 CASE STUDIES
OMEGA NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION .
This non-profit organization’s slogan is,
“awakening the best in the human spirit”
(Kornheisl). They do this through retreats and
workshops. This is a huge organization that
includes yoga, art therapy, dining, and guest rooms.
They focus on socialization with meal times so
groups have a chance to tell and hear one another’s
stories. Classes specifically focused on spirit
Figure 5.16
57
RHINEBECK, NY
growth, relationships, leadership, health, and
sustainable living are all available. All of these
activities can be related back to the principles of the
twelve steps and used in this thesis. This facility
also has retreat opportunities that focus soley on
outdoor activities with yoga, tai chi, meditation, in
order to “connect with yourself and others...in the
heart of the Hudson Valley” (Kornheisl).
Figure 5.17

Figure 5.18

Figure 5.19
58
 PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

RECREATION
DOCK / W ATER REFLECTION 1800 SF
ZEN GARDENS 500 SF
TOTAL 2300 SF
MEDITATION TRAIL (WITH LABYRINTH) 1200 LINEAR FEET

Labyrinth / Meditation Trail

Austin, Texas
Figure 5.20

59
HERMITAGES
KITCHENETTE 50 SF
BATHROOM 50 SF
STUDIO FLOOR PLAN 200 SF
PATIO 200 SF

TOTAL 500 SF
THREE HERMITAGES 1500 SF

GUEST UNITS
BATHROOM 60 SF
STUDIO FLOOR PLAN 120 SF
PATIO 100 SF

TOTAL 280 SF
FIVE UNITS 1400 SF

The Forest Retreat in Meadville, Mississippi

Figure 5.21
60
 MAIN BUILDING
LOBBY/ ENTRY 300 SF
YOGA / MEDITATION ROOM 1500 SF
LARGE MEETING ROOM 865 SF
SMALL MEETING ROOM 620 SF
KITCHEN 500 SF
READING ROOM 1500 SF
CAFETERIA 1050 SF
GALLERY 1300 SF
ART STUDIO 425 SF
ADMIN 700 SF
STORAGE FOR GALLERY 200 SF
STORAGE FOR MEETING ROOMS 200 SF
BATHROOMS WITH LOCKERS (2) 970 SF
TERRACES 8800 SF
PARKING 6600 SF
CIRCULATION (20% OF BUILDING TOTAL) 5000 SF
MECHANICAL / ELECTRICAL (6% OF BUILDING TOTAL) 1515 SF

TOTAL 32,045 SF

OVERALL TOTAL 35,745 SF

Program Development
61
Figure 5.22

62
TURNING CONCEPT
INTO CONSTRUCTION
 “You might say that nature
is the God of the architect.”
- Frank Lloyd Wright
 Figure 6.1

Having an addiction doesn’t mean only having an issue with alcohol or substances.
Life can become unmanageable with any kind of addiction.
Turning Concept into Constrution
65
 It’s not rehab.
It’s about bettering your life and relationship with a higher power.
Developing that spiritual relationship means living a fuller, happier life.

The common confusion of the Twelve
Step recovery program is that it is only for those
suffering from a drug or alcohol problem. It can
actually be applied to any sort of dependence or life
issue. It’s not just a method that has been proven to
help in the recovery of addictions, but because of its
spiritual approach, it can transform a life that seems
unmanageable whatever the issue. The Steps then
become more than just a recovery option, but a true
way of bettering life and personal well-being. The
goal is to create a sacred place emersed in nature
that comforts and heals the human soul because of
its spiritual power. The purpose of this thesis is to
create architecture that enhances this spiritual
power and life-enhancing method. In order to
create truly spiritual architecture, the incorporation
of how the human mind works, how nature inspires
and creates life, will create a truly emersing spiritual
experience.



 
 
 


 

ARCHITECTURE THAT CREATES  
A HOLY TRINITY 
AND ACTS AS A MEDIUM
BETWEEN HUMAN SPIRIT, EARTH, AND GOD
Figure 6.2

66
 NORTH

STEP 10: PERSEVERANCE CHANGE MEANS THAT I

STEP 11: SPIRITUAL AWARENESS STOP DOING ALL THE
STEP 12: SERVICE NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS
FORGIVE MEANS TO THAT WERE
FINALLY TAKE OFF THE NEGATIVELY AFFECTING
BACKPACK FULL OF MY LIFE

SPIRITUAL
HARMS AND HURTS
THAT I HAVE BEEN
CHANGE START
CARRYING AROUND

FIND THE CREATOR

STEP 8: FORGIVENESS
STEP 7: HUMILITY

STEP 1: HONESTY
STEP 9: JUSTICE

STEP 3: FAITH
STEP 2: HOPE
PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL
WEST

EAST
FORGIVENESS RECOGNITION

MENTAL RECOGNIZE MEANS I

FINALLY ACCEPT THE
FACT THAT I AM
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
POWERLESS OR
HELPLESS OVER MY
LIFE - MY LIFE HAS
BECOME
ACKNOWLEDGE MEANS STEP 4: COURAGE UNMANAGEABLE
I AM READY TO DO THE
HARD PERSONAL WORK
STEP 5: INTEGRITY
TO ALLOW WHAT I STEP 6: WILLINGNESS
RECOGNIZED TO
ACTUALLY COME IN
AND CHANGE ME

SOUTH

Figure 6.3

Turning Concept into Constrution

67
TWELVE STEPS TO RECOVERY THROUGH SPIRITUALISM

Step One
WE ADMITTED WE WERE POWERLESS OVER OUR ADDICTION - THAT OUR
LIVES HAD BECOME UNMANAGABLE
Step Two
CAME TO BELIEVE THAT A POWER GREATER THAN OURSELVES COULD
RESTORE US TO SANITY
Step Three
MADE A DECISION TO TURN OUR WILL AND OUR LIVES OVER TO THE
CARE OF GOD AS WE UNDERSTOOD HIM

Step Four
MADE A SEARCHING AND FEARLESS MORAL INVENTORY OF OURSELVES
Step Five
ADMITTED TO GOD, AND OURSELVES AND TO ANOTHER HUMAN BEING
THE EXACT NATURE OF OUR WRONGS
Step Six
WERE ENTIRELY READY TO HAVE GOD REMOVE ALL THESE DEFECTS OF
CHARACTER
Step Seven
HUMBLY ASKED GOD TO REMOVE OUR SHORTCOMINGS
Step Eight
MADE A LIST OF ALL PERSONS WE HAD HARMED, AND BECAME WILLING
TO MAKE AMENDS TO THEM ALL
Step Nine
MADE DIRECT AMENDS TO SUCH PEOPLE WHEREVER POSSIBLE, EXCEPT
WHEN TO DO SO WOULD INJURE THEM OR OTHERS
Step Ten
CONTINUED TO TAKE PERSONAL INVENTORY AND WHEN WE WERE
WRONG PROMPTLY ADMITTED IT
Step Eleven
SOUTH THROUGH PRAYER AND MEDITATION TO IMPROVE OUR
CONSCIOUS CONTACT WITH GOD AS WE UNDERSTOOD HIM, PRAYING
ONLY FOR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WILL FOR US AND THE POWER TO
CARRY THAT OUT
Step Twelve
HAVING HAD A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING AS THE RESULT OF THESE STEPS,
WE TRIED TO CARRY THIS MESSAGE TO OTHER ADDICTS, AND TO
PRACTICE THESE PRINCIPLES IN ALL OUR AFFAIRS

68
 SCHEMATIC DESIGN

NORTH SPIRITUAL
PERSERVERANCE . AWAKENING . SERVICE
EASTEMOTIONAL
RECOGNIZE HONESTY . HOPE . FAITH
CHANGE 10 11 12FIND ELDERS
wonder
vulnerable FIND CREATOR 1 2 3
knowledge ceremony newness
commitment experience truth openness
dedication contribution discovery
application

LARGE EVENT ROOM

LIBRARY
COMMON AREA / LOBBY
ADMIN LODGES
MEDITATION SMALL MEETING ROOM
ADMINISTRATION/OFFICES
TEMPLE AREA
GALLERY / ART ROOM GUEST CABINS
CAMPING GROUNDS
LOUNGE YOGA
FIREPIT WATER REFLECTION
KITCHEN MEDITATION TRAIL
HERMITAGES
SMALL MEETING ROOM ZEN GARDEN
belonging
validation
FIND FAMILY ACKNOWLEDGE acceptance

& FRIENDS COURAGE . INTEGRITY . WILLINGNESS HUMILITY . FORGIVENESS . JUSTICE FORGIVE

MENTAL
7 8 9 SOUTH FIND SELF
PHYSICAL
4 5 6 WEST
Application of program to the Wellbriety Movement
Figure 6.4

69
Figure 6.5
70
 Figure 6.6

Schematic Design
71
Figure 6.7
72
 Schematic Design
73
Figure 6.8

74
 FINDING FORM, COLOR, AND NATURAL LIGHT

FINDING FORM Figure 6.9

To stay true to the wellbriety movement

ideas, without being too literal, form took shape
from a N/S/E/W grid. Going by this grid allows the
architecture to become rooted into the cardinal
coordinates and tap into the energy of the Universe.

COLOR
Color has been proven to be very effective
in affecting mood within interior spaces. However,
beause the use of natural materials was more
important than color, stain glass within the
cordwood construction in the hermitages, and light
well in the reading room were the only color added.
Although not a grand presence in the design, it is
successful in creating wonder and happiness within
these spaces. Figure 6.10
75
 NATURAL LIGHTING Meeting
Library
Rooms

Yoga Gallery

Cafeteria

Figure 6.11
Section View

Entry
Balcony
Terrace
Meeting
Room

Meeting
Room

Yoga
Library

Figure 6.12
Floor Plan

Natural daylighting was a major focus of this thesis. Roof shapes and windows were formed based on
which directon the light should come into a space. For example, the reading room has a strong focus on
knowledge, and gaining elder’s wisdom through reading materials, thus light should come into this space from
the North, according to the wellbriety movement. The figures above explain this idea.

76
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
“Forests were the first temples of God and in
forests men grasped their first idea of
architecture.”
- James C. Snyder
 STRUCTURE AND MATERIALS
An important part of this thesis was incorporating
nature into the architecture in order to capture its
spirit. This was sucessfully done by using wood
construction, stone, and recycled trees from the site.

Figure 7.1 Figure 7.2 Figure 7.3 Figure 7.4

Preserved Wooden Stone and Concrete Walls Preserved Wood Panels Stone Steps
Stick Louvers on Floor and Walls
Figure 7.5 Figure 7.6 Figure 7.7 Figure 7.8

Wood Mullions Cordwood Construction Color Glass within Cordwood Roof Shakes
on Windows (for Hermitages) (for Hermitages and
Library Light Well)
Figure 7.9 Figure 7.10 Figure 7.11 Figure 7.12

Exposed Structure Exposed Pitched Folding Glass Planters on Terraces

Roof Structure Window Doors
(in Yoga Studio) (in Yoga Studio)
79
 6” x 18” Roof Joist

3’ Roof Dropdown
for Sun Shading

10’ Curatin Wall

Wooden Stick Louvers with Folding Panels

3’ Stone and Concrete Wall

6” x 8” Wood Joists
6” x 18” Wood Beam
2’ x 6” Wood Girder

12” x 12” Timber Wood Column

Concrete Retaining Wall Stone and Concrete Retaining Wall

Concrete Slab with

Wood Floor Finish

Concrete Footing with Rebar

Figure 7.13
Detail Wall Section
80
 DOORS
Each room has a unique door based on the
function of that specific room, depending on it’s
relationship to the wellbriety movement. This gives
people a sense of personal accomplishment from
step to step within the program. Creating a physical
journey can act as a guide for the spiritual journey.

NORTH EAST
SPIRITUAL FOCUS EMOTIONAL FOCUS
Yoga Entry
Library Art Room
North Hermitage Meeting Rooms

South Hermitage
Cafeteria West Hermitage
Gallery Guest Units
MENTAL FOCUS PHYSICAL FOCUS
SOUTH WEST

81
Figure 7.14 Figure 7.15
NORTH EAST
WEST SOUTH
Figure 7.16 Figure 7.17

82
 CODES

Terrace

Terrace

Restrooms in the main building, as well as in each Figure 7.18

guest unit, are ADA accessible.

All ramps on the site have a rise with a 1’/12’ ratio Figure 7.19
with at least 5’ landings ever 30’ or less.
83
 Terrace Parki

First Floor Meeting

Second Floor First Floor
Kitchen Hilly topography does allow for safe exit
Room

Balcony Admin
Te
Storage
Figure 7.20 Figure 7.21 Figure 7.22
Terrace Cafeteria
Terrace Terrace
Yoga
Patio
Egress stairs are built with a 7” rise and an 11” run.
Gallery Reading Room
They are surrounded with fire rated walls, with
doors that lead directly to the outdoors on each
Art Studio
floor. Terrace

Figure 7.23

84
FINAL DESIGN
 “Space has always been
the spiritual dimension of architecture.
It is not the physical statement of the structure
so much as what it contains that moves us.”
- Ar thur Erickson
 SITE PLAN

West Hermitage

Guest Units

Dock

87
 North Hermitage

Figure 8.1

South Hermitage

Main Building

88
 FLOOR PLANS
Kitchen Mech.

Cafeteria

Terrace Cafeteria

Terrace

Terrace

First Floor
Figure 8.2

Restrooms

Lockers Lockers

Balcony Admin

Open
Storage
to Below

Terrace
Yoga
Patio
Gallery

Art Studio

Figure 8.3 Second Floor

89
 Terrace Parking

Meeting
Room
Storage
Meeting
Room

Terrace

Terrace

Reading Room

Terrace

Figure 8.4
Third Floor
Floor plans showing natural lighting
0 10’ 20’ 40’
N

90
 HERMITAGES
The hermitages are built with a mixture of colorful Guest units were minimally designed so that
glass, and cordwood made from the existing trees visitors will not desire to stay in the room. Although
that have to be demolished during building some people choose to stay in a Hermitage, spiritual
construction. Each hermitage was designed to recovery works best with socialization.
encourage a one-on-one relationship with nature by
fully encorporating the land it rests on.

Figure 8.5

Typical Guest Unit

0 10’ 20’
N
Figure 8.6
0 10’ 20’
N

North: Focus on Spiritual Awakening

Light from the West to find self

Figure 8.7 North Hermitage

91
 Figure 8.8

South: Focus on Spiritual Willingness

Light from West and South to focus on forgiving self

0 10’ 20’
N

Figure 8.9
Figure 8.10

South Hermitage

West: Focus on Self Reflection and Physical Labor

Light from the West and South to gain forgiveness of self
Gardening for physical labor
0 10’ 20’
N

Figure 8.11 West Hermitage

92
 NORTH / SOUTH SECTION

0 10’ 20’ 40’

93
 4

8 1 5
1 Egress
2 Kitchen
3 6 3 Restrooms
4 Green Roof
5 Zen Garden
2 6 Yoga Studio
7 Parking Lots
8 Meeting Room Storage

Figure 8.12

94
 EAST / WEST SECTION

9 7

11

1 8

Figure 8.13

95
4 10

2 6

Lake
Gallery
Cafeteria
0 10’ 20’ 40’ 60’
Light Well
Green Roof
Stone Steps
Yoga Studio
Dock Terrace
Twig Louvres
Reading Room
Retaining Wall

96
 ELEVATIONS

South Elevation
0 10’ 20’ 40’

Figure 8.14

97
West Elevation
0 10’ 20’ 40’

Figure 8.15

98
 EXTERIOR PERSPECTIVE

99
 Figure 8.16
EXTERIOR PATH VIEW

100
 EXTERIOR PERSPECTIVE

101
 Figure 8.17
SECOND FLOOR ENTRY

102
 EXTERIOR PERSPECTIVE

103
 Figure 8.22
ENTRY VIEW FROM PARKING LOTS

104
 INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE

105
Figure 8.18
ART STUDIO

106
 INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE

This small gallery gives visitors a chance to display

their artwork created during their stay. Some partitions
are on wheels so they can be adjusted. The lightwell
from the library brings sunlight down into the space, as
well as a few smaller windows. The idea is to let the
spirit of the artwork consume the room.

107
 Figure 8.19
ART GALLERY

108
 INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE

The Reading Room focuses on Steps 10, 11, and

12, which is centered around Elder’s Wisdom, and
the North coordinate. Natural lighting is brought
from all directions, since the library contains
knowledge of every step, but mainly from the top of
the space. All windows are placed above eye level
so the focus is on the knowledge, not site.
However, if one would like to read while outside,
there is an outdoor terrace (door to outside located
in the middle of the view, behind book shelf). A
cordwood wall with colored glass makes up the
lightwell and continues down to the gallery.

109
 Figure 8.20
READING ROOM

110
 INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE

111
 Figure 8.21
YOGA STUDIO

The Yoga Studio focuses on the physical and mental aspects of the recovery program, so faces South and West.
The glass wall is foldable so it can be opened on a sunny day, and occupants can enjoy this meditating exercise
along with the outdoors. Daylight coming from the south is strong, so louvres made from twigs of trees
surround the space to allow for shading. A small wrap around walkway is available for those who wish to see
the view of the lake from the most protruding portion of the building, but not have to particpate in yoga.

112
 PRESENTATION DESIGN

Holistic Wellness
A Spiritual Healing Center

North/South Section
0 5’ 10’ 15’ 20’

Entry
Balcony
Terrace
Meeting
Room

Meeting
Room

N/S/E/W Grid East/West Elevation

Terrace Parking
Yoga
Library

Sunlight Plan Diagram

Meeting
Room
North H
Light from West to find self 0 5’
Storage
Light from East to find honesty Meeting
Light from North to gain elder’s wisdom Room
Light from South to find friends and family
Balcony

Pathway
Sunlight Section Diagram
Restrooms
Meeting Balcony
Library Admin
Rooms

Yoga Gallery Storage

Library
West Hermitage First Floor
Cafeteria
0 5’ 10’ 15’ 20’ 0 10’ 20’ 40’

Yoga
“The Wellbriety Movement” Balcony
Gallery
Balcony
Art Studio

Second Floo
0 10’ 20’

Guest Units
0 5’ 10’ 15’ 20’

South Hermi
0 5’ 10’

Second Floor Entrance

Site Plan

Meditation Trail W
Focus on physical wo

113
 Figure 8.23

6” x 18” Roof Joist

3’ Roof Dropdown
for sun shading

10’ Curatin Wall

Twig Louvre Wall
for sun shading

3’ stone veneer wall

North/South Section
0 5’ 10’ 15’ 20’

12” x 12” Timber Wood Column

Concrete Retaing Wall

Detail Wall Section

West Elevation

Art Studio

Hermitage
10’ 15’ 20’

Kitchen Storage

Terrace
Cafeteria

Terrace

or Third Floor
40’ 0 10’ 20’ 40’

Yoga Studio Art Gallery

itage
15’ 20’

South Hermitage
Focus on mental observation
with view of main building and lake

West Hermitage North Hermitage Library

ork with garden work Focus on becoming one with Nature
to gain elder’s wisdom

114
CONCLUSION
“Knowing self, Self is my journey;
Loving self, Self is my path.”
- Herb K.
117
 Architecture should be more than just
comprised materials sitting on a peice of the Earth.
When taking a closer look, not just at the physical
structure, but at its context, its meaning, its message
to the world, there is something more to be said.
The same can be said for humans. Humans
are more than just a cluster of cells, because they
feel emotions, they feel pain, and happiness.
Humans have opinions, interests, hobbies, life
goals - and express this throughout their existence.
Can’t the same idea be applied to architecture?
Nature is as simple as it is complex. This
thesis was designed with that phrase in mind. The
design was as simple as it was complex. To the eye,
the design is simple and basic: straight lines and
rigid forms. However, when looking deeper, there
is reasoning behind why every space is the way it is;
much like nature; much like humans.
So in a center designed for spiritual
healing, which involves believing and seeing the
underlying meaning of things, the architecture
should have its own spirit, and its own meaning.
The Twelve-Step program encourages
social interaction with all of God’s creations.
Relationships with other humans, a relationship
with self, a relationship with nature, and a
relationship with a Higher Power. This thesis
applied that idea to designing architecture. This
design encourages social interactions, integrates
nature, enhances site, and thus creates a spiritual
structure that inspires those that visit.
118
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