Dwellbeing; residential architecture for mental health
Publicerad
Författare
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
In this stressful world, one might look to
architecture for answers on better mental
health. Research shows that we spend about
90% of our time indoors and almost 19
hours a day in our homes. The new building
regulations from Boverket are a big threat
to the residential qualities we have taken for
granted. Along with the strained Swedish
healthcare system and the fact that an
increased amount of people are suffering
from mental illness - this constituted the
thesis’ background. The aim was to explore
how architects can enhance building qualities
related to residential architecture for the sake
of people’s mental health, emphasizing on
stress-regulation. The research questions
were 1) What architectural concepts can
be identified in residential architecture
that promote good mental health through
stress regulation, based on relevant
theories? 2) How can these concepts be
sustainably applied in a housing project on
the site of Tuvesvik? 2B) In order to illustrate
generalizability, how can the same concepts
be used in a housing project in Högsbo
- an urban site? The theories used were
interdisciplinary; the residential aspect of
enriched environments, the importance
of the outdoors, the perceived sensory
dimensions along with support of other
relevant research in residential qualities.
Methods used were; a literature overview
highlighting important research, an extensive
case study, and research through design.
Two design projects were carried out - a main
one in a rural context (Tuvesvik) and another
one in an urban context (Högsbo). Results
generated six design concepts for residential
architecture for mental health; directional
diversity, transitions, zones of social and
private, context sensitivity, individuality, and
control and safety. Two research-informed
design proposals were conducted to embody
previous mentioned design concepts. On
Tuvesvik, this resulted in eight semi-detached
houses and in Högsbo this meant terraced
housing (16 dwellings in each). The thesis
showed how design concepts for mental
health in residential architecture can be
used also in future projects, due to their
general and applicable nature. The overall
implications are relevant not only because
they address the societal problems with
mental illness - but also because it amplifies
residential qualities in the light of recent
threats. However, the findings must be further
supported to be fully generalizable.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
residential qualities; mental health; enriched environments; swedish archipelago; rural; urban