ADAPTIVE HEALING THROUGH THERAPEUTIC ARCHITECTURE 1

THERAPEUTIC ARCHITECTURE:

Healing Environment and sensory designs

By

Anjali Thomas

15 SA 195

Fifth year – B. Arch

D.C. School of Architecture

Vallabh-vidhyanagar

October, 2019
 ADAPTIVE HEALING THROUGH THERAPEUTIC ARCHITECTURE 2

Abstract

In the current scenario, each and every person is running after something or the other blindly. We are

living in a highly materialistic society and running on the tracks of money-oriented life. There is

sensory deprivation in spaces around us. Modern architects and urbanists have somehow lost an

active connection to the human body in their designs. Many diseases are caused or influenced by

controllable behaviors and spaces in our life. Western medicine often doesn’t have answers to

provide for these lifestyle behaviors and architectural spaces. We as human beings have an inner

connection with our environment by physical, mental, emotional and spiritual means. The natural

healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Western medicine does not

focus on healing the illness as holistic medicine does. The human body is designed to "heal itself"

once we provide the 'necessary' tools and a healing environment. If we look objectively at this, we

can understand how different qualities of environment can nurture both body and soul. Architecture

that incorporates nature can have an impact on its everyday users. In the field of architecture we may

find opportunities to fight and alleviate these diseases. There are many elements of architecture that

can help in the healing process. By implementing ideas and strategies of healing environments such

as sun exposure, colour, or materiality we can tend to make the healing process faster. So the intent

of this thesis is to help patients connect with nature to help aid in the healing processes and to

develop a system of architectural design using Sustainable technologies, materials and healing

environment that may help to provide an immediate and long lasting sanctuary of peace.
 ADAPTIVE HEALING THROUGH THERAPEUTIC ARCHITECTURE 3

HEALING ENVIRONMENT

Many diseases are caused or influenced by controllable behaviors in our life. Western medicine often

doesn’t have answers to provide for these lifestyle behaviors. Western medicine is often prescriptive.

Healing often is not the mechanical process, not just a matter of having physical exams and tests,

taking medications, or having surgery. Professionals in the medical and physiological fields agree

that these stressors limit our body’s ability to resist disease. They overwork our minds, exhaust our

bodies, slow our mental reactions and lower our immune responses. Therefore, our bodies become

vulnerable physically, mentally and physiologically. This vulnerability invites disease to infect our

body. We as human beings have an inner connection with our environment by physical, mental,

emotional and spiritual means. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in

getting well. Western medicine does not focus on healing the illness as holistic medicine does. The

human body is designed to "heal itself" once we provide the 'necessary' tools and a healing

environment. Our surroundings affect our physical and spiritual self. If we look objectively at this,

we can understand how different qualities of environment can nurture both body and soul. Health is

the state of perfect physical, mental and social well-being. The intent of healing environmental

spaces in architecture is to help patients connect with nature to help aid in the healing processes.

Nature has long been thought of as a source that can impact our wellbeing. Exposure to nature can

not only make people feel better emotionally, but physically as well. Any environment a person is

exposed to have the ability to either increase or decrease stress which in turn can impact our bodies.

The things we see, hear, or experience can affect our moods and how certain systems in our bodies

are working. Nature can also be soothing to people, we tend to find trees, plants, and water
 ADAPTIVE HEALING THROUGH THERAPEUTIC ARCHITECTURE 4

captivating which can distract us from physical discomfort. Architecture that incorporates nature can

have an impact on its everyday users. Including such spaces, like healing spaces, in our healthcare

system can have an influence on patient outcomes. Research has shown that exposure to nature, by

either being outdoors or being able to view nature, can reduce stress, fear, and anger, as it helps

increase more pleasant feelings. Research has also proven that patients tend to heal faster if they are

provided a view that incorporates some feature of nature.

Changing Trends

Now people are moving towards the search of eternal peace. As there is a changing wind in the therapy

system, now people are going for alternative treatments such as Naturopathy, Ayurveda and Yoga for

relaxation and for most uncured diseases by allopathic or say modern medical science.

Increasing Demand

The art of natural healing have helped millions of people around the world to overcome stress,

depression and diseases which is increasing day by day in our country. Natural health Centres have

raised their demand all over India and abroad. People are rushing towards these centres from any

distance to get cured.

SENSORY DESIGN

Reaching beyond vision

“Architecture should play to all senses – the smell of vegetation after rain, the sound of birds and the

wind in the trees, the texture of clay floor tiles and rough plaster – by removing the concept of indoor

and outdoor, this senses based experience is possible” - Geoffrey Bawa

Sensory design activates of all the senses of our body rather than focusing only on the sense of eyesight.
 ADAPTIVE HEALING THROUGH THERAPEUTIC ARCHITECTURE 5

Through sensory design, there will be an active connection between the human body and its surrounding

environment. Sensory architecture is design that interacts with people and engages them with their

surrounding environment. It impacts the way they feel, think and behave. Thus designing a space by

giving careful attention to the connection between senses and environment may impact the occupant

both in the short term and long term.

AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is based on the ancient wisdom of good living, originated in India around 5000 years ago.

It is the ancient and world’s oldest Indian system of natural medicine, is gaining worldwide recognition

day by day. It is defined as knowledge or science of life represents a sophisticated system of healing that

offers holistic approach to living based on the balance and nurturance of mind, body, and spirit.

Ayurveda lays emphasis on the promotion of positive health, prevention of diseases, rejuvenation of the

system and longevity of life. The treatment always aims at correcting the site of origin. They have a rich

tradition of the use of plants, minerals, and animal products having therapeutic utility.

Increasing demand

The growing dissatisfaction with western medicine in terms of long term side effects has led to a

growing demand for less harmful therapies and a holistic approach to health, which is why Ayurveda is

growing in popularity. The worldwide trend of going back to nature, against synthetic and symptomatic

treatment has led to the growth, or rather revival, of the traditional holistic methods of medicine like

Ayurveda. It is the wellness part of the system that is gaining more popularity among tourists around the

world.

Transformation of the hospital to resort

 ADAPTIVE HEALING THROUGH THERAPEUTIC ARCHITECTURE 6

The concept of Ayurvedic hospital has been modified nowadays to Ayurvedic healing resort or spa with

increased infrastructural facilities and recreational facilities.

Amalgamation of two architectural spaces

Hospital ----------- Resort

Functions ----------- Functions + Amenities + Recreation

VISION - Adaptive healing through therapeutic Architecture

AIM - To design a healing Retreat, a self-sustained built environment that provokes mental and physical

healing by using sensory design through therapeutic architecture.

OBJECTIVE

 To understand the relationship between human beings and environment by physical, mental and

spiritual means and to explore how architecture promotes a healing environment.

 To establish a relationship between nature, senses, healing and architecture.

 To study India’s ancient medicinal system of natural healing.

 To study the principles of tropical architecture and vernacular architecture of Kerala.

 To design a resort with minimal impact on environment by blending it with the local nature and

employing the principles of environmentally sustainable design.

 To understand and explore sensory architecture and how it’s incorporation into architecture effects

the experience of the user.

 To create a holistic environment that restore and maintain the equilibrium between mind and body.

 To understand the five elements of nature and senses as a rejuvenating factor of healing environment

and how they enhance an architectural experience.

 To juxtapose the five elements of nature into built form.

 ADAPTIVE HEALING THROUGH THERAPEUTIC ARCHITECTURE 7

 To integrate landscape as a major element into built form.

 To integrate water as a main element of healing.

 Respond to climate and energy consumption issues through sustainable designs.

 Comfortable designing which promotes interaction with nature.

 To adapt tropical and vernacular architecture of Kerala as sustainable design.

SITE LOCATION:

KERALA

Kerala is the smallest state in south India It is one of the most popular tourist destination in the country.

Kerala is unique for its geographical diversity. This diversity often offers tourists a range of attraction

and experiences such as beaches, back waters, wild life sanctuaries, evergreen forests, and diverse flora

and fauna of Kerala. Kerala is a state of rivers and lagoons. The backwater or lagoons are the special

feature of Kerala and a frequently used mode of transportation.

Climate

The state has its coastline flanked by the Arabian Sea and has a temperate climate. The average rainfall

in the state is from May to November the state experience heavy rainfall. Kerala’s climate is mainly wet

and maintains a tropical climate heavily influenced by the seasonal heavy rains brought by the monsoon.

Temperature

Maximum Temperature – 36 degree Celsius

Minimum Temperature – 19 degree Celsius

Mean annual temperature ranges from 25.0 – 27.5 degree Celsius.

 ADAPTIVE HEALING THROUGH THERAPEUTIC ARCHITECTURE 8

Soil Type - Coastal – Alluvium

Building Materials

The natural building material available for construction in Kerala – Stone, Timber, Clay and palm

Leaves

The availability of Granite – a strong building stone.

Laterite Stone is abundantly found in most zones.

MEDICAL TOURISM

Kerala is unique in the world tourism map for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Apart from nature

and culture, Kerala has a unique opportunity in the area of medical tourism. Kerala has its traditional

medical systems like Ayurveda, Sidha, Naturopathy, Panchakarma, Kalari, etc. which helps to

rejuvenate and revitalise the body and have attracted patients from different parts of the world.

Ayurveda plays a major role in Kerala’s round the year tourism. Medical tourists from Germany,

France, Switzerland and the US prefer ayurvedic treatment 150,000 medical tourist’s travel to India for

low-priced health care procedures every year.

AYURVEDA IN KERALA

Kerala is the paradise of Ayurveda. Kerala is blessed with a good climate, and an abundance of natural

forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants), and the cool monsoon season (June - November)

are best suited for Ayurveda's curative. Thus making it the best place to enjoy a

rejuvenating Ayurvedic therapy session. Ayurvedic treatments are mainly offered during monsoon

months of June, July, and August. The climate in Kerala is tropical and the temperature varies from 18 c
 ADAPTIVE HEALING THROUGH THERAPEUTIC ARCHITECTURE 9

to 35 c which is most suitable for ayurvedic treatments. Climatic conditions directly influences curing of

diseases.

Bibliography

Rachel, McGinn. (2016). Natural Healing: Physical and Spiritual Healing

(In a Powerful and Nurturing Setting). Retrieved from
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?client=ms-
unknown&sxsrf=ACYBGNQ9KvNAD41KmRyZYJBjiP_OEGzPFQ:1571244023417&um=1&ie=UTF-
8&lr&q=related:ZSlIH6zxsWwxqM:scholar.google.com/#d=gs_qabs&u=%23p%3DZSlIH6zxsWwJ

Jacob John, Kattakayam. (2013). HEALTH TOURISM IN KERALA - PROMISES AND

PROSPECT S. Retrieved from
www.ifa-fiv.org

Adam, Gregory, zetterquist. (2009). Healing environment: elements of retreat.

https://scholarworks.montana.edu/xmlui/handle/1/2596

Shodhganga . chapter – 4 an overview on kerala and ayurveda.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream
/10603/24767/11/11_chapter%25204.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjTibKnmKHlAhV57XMBHS3aApIQFjAAegQIAxA
B&usg=AOvVaw1x4sTiItXO-0kB0G3LQlrX&cshid=1571243034977

Ellen, lupton. (2018). why sensory design.

Retrieved from
https://www.cooperhewitt.org/2018/04/03/why-sensory-design/

Maria, Lorena, Lehman.(2018). How Sensory Design Can Help Responsive

 ADAPTIVE HEALING THROUGH THERAPEUTIC ARCHITECTURE 10

Architecture Be More Effective. Retrieved from

https://marialorenalehman.com/post/how-sensory-design- can-help-responsive-architecture-be-more-
effective