Movement and materiality: an architectural exploration of a dance/movement therapy centre
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Program
Architecture and urban design (MPARC), MSc
Publicerad
2021
Författare
Davidsson, Ella
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Dance/movement therapy is one of the expressive
therapies, using the creation of art as a means for
therapy. In contrast to the traditional way of working
with arts, the focus is on the process rather
than the outcome of the artwork. Expressive therapy
can be especially useful for people who find it
hard to put feelings, experiences or memories into
words, as an complementary way of processing.
American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA)
defines dance/movement therapy as “the psychotherapeutic
use of movement to promote emotional,
social, cognitive, and physical integration
of the individual, for the purpose of improving
health and well-being.” Dance/movement therapy
examens the correlation between movement
and emotions, focusing on the holistic view where
body and mind are interconnected.
This thesis aims to bring attention to the benefits
of dance/movement therapy as a psychotherapeutic
treatment by exploring how
the typology of a Dance Therapy Centre can
be incorporated in the area of Linnégatan in
Gothenburg. It seeks to understand how the design
requirements of the practice can be embodied and
how to develop a program to facilitate the needs.
This can contribute to a further understanding of
the design choices impact on the psychotherapeutic
treatment.
The proposed building within the framing of this
thesis deals with the complexity of an urban site,
focusing on spatial organisation and materiality.
By working with glass blocks as facade material,
the building reaches the state of being translucent,
but not transparent. The building is enclosed and
provides a safe space for therapy, yet with generous
daylight, embracing the playful patterns generated
by the illuminated glass block facade.
The aim of this thesis is to communicate the benefits
of, and the need for, a Dance/Movement Therapy
Centre in Gothenburg, as well as the architectural
beauty it can behold.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
dance/movement therapy, mental health, urban expression, glass blocks