EXPERIENTIAL ARCHITECTURE FOR THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES:

A study on healing factors of architecture inculcated with

nature
The structure of a building not only determines the appearance Architectural elements that influences or creates certain type
and feeling of it, it also influences the behavior of people within of experience of a space.
it, their sense of well-being, or their lack of it. Ill-considered
architecture and design can aggravate social tensions, Ceiling
depression and boredom. height

Buildin
Space g
views

Experience
of a space

Facad
Colors
es

“We shape our buildings and afterwards our
buildings shape us”
This thesis will focus on how architectural experiential spaces
directly influences human emotions and brings together a
therapeutic environment with incorporation of nature that
helps in natural process of healing.
How architecture affects human mind?
Lightin
g
For instance, Daniel Libeskind created the Jewish Museum in
Berlin as a symbolic act to express the persecution of Jews in
Germany during the Second World War. The museum
employs architecture as a storytelling tool, conveying to
visitors feelings of absence, emptiness, and invisibility - an
interpretation of the dissolution of an entire culture.

We have to bear in mind that Pleasant indoor

humans have a holistic perception: climate
Our senses influence our thinking, (light, plants, materials,
temperature)
feelings and actions and therefore
our entire body. If we feel
uncomfortable in spaces, this can
lead to restlessness or discomfort,
hypersensitivity, lethargy or even Positively
anxiety. simulated senses

Therefore, what we experience is

what we become and hence that Calming effect
leads to rising need for experiential (influence on our thinking,
performance, motivation ,
spaces in design. concentration etc.)

So what is an experiential design?

Experiential architecture is design
that evolves and responds over Type of architecture that can create environment to make
time, the notion of a holistic people feel good, trigger senses for healing and recovery, is
approach to the design. If called Therapeutic architecture.
architecture can connect
The concept of therapeutic architecture is "a constructed
emotionally with its occupants,
environment that is more people-centred, to identify and
then the message can be felt more
incorporate all those spatial features that interact with
deeply thus more readily leaving a
people on a physiological, as well as a psychological level.
lasting impression on the users.

Rutvika Rakesh Mehta A-02

Prof. Sangita Mohanty
B.ARCH.V. SEM IX, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN IX (RESEARCH THESIS) JUNE-DECEMBER 2021
AAERT & The SSB Faculty of Architecture, SCET,SURAT.
 EXPERIENTIAL ARCHITECTURE FOR THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES:
A study on healing factors of architecture inculcated with
nature
Role of architecture in healing process?
Colour
in all sectors where the direct supervision of nursing on
patient 's life is vital, the colours should be selected so as not
to disturb the observer 's perception and on the other side
does not disturb the peace of the patients psychologically.

Materials
concrete gives a bold overpowering impression. It suggests
unidirectionality, focus, rigidity, uniformity, etc. Wood gives a
homely feeling of warmth and comfort. The diversity in wood
grains, textures, and tones can manipulate the emotions and • Through this study, understanding all the previous
productivity accordingly. mentioned objectives has been fulfilled.
• Literature study made me understand the connection of
human behaviour and architecture and how it can
positively be used for curating therapeutic environments.
• Through case studies I got to learn major aspects of
designing through studying works of master architects.
Light and shadow
• Questionnaires, interviews and simple random survey
Light and its unbroken Shadow, commonly referred to as proved how people require involvement of greenery,
opposing forces, are required to define the boundaries of a nature in their surroundings in their day to day lives as
space. A good application of this duality can make or break well as while in healthcare facilities.
whether a place is comfortable or not, because they
strengthen or weaken the volumes that create the
architecture, as well as the gaps that allow us to enjoy it.

Open Spaces
Nature has been shown in studies to have a positive effect on
the patient's healing process by distracting them from the
stress and anxiety caused by their problems. According to a
study published in the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
and Other Dementias, playing recorded sounds of nature can
reduce aggressive behaviour in dementia patients. Another
study found that views of eye and mind soothing scenes, such Any building, whether its residential commercial or
as magnificent mountains/hills and lovely sunsets, activate the healthcare, requires some amount of involvement of
nerve cells of the brain and all the natural painkillers begin to greenery and nature to accelerate the productivity and
flow, lowering stress levels and making one calm. healing factors of its users.

Rutvika Rakesh Mehta A-02

Prof. Sangita Mohanty
B.ARCH.V. SEM IX, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN IX (RESEARCH THESIS) JUNE-DECEMBER 2021
AAERT & The SSB Faculty of Architecture, SCET,SURAT.