The social work oasis: A building transformation for social services to restore the connection with nature and to promote well-being

Abstract

For the last few years, research on how to design for one’s well-being has significantly increased. This is because there is more interest in the topic and a greater need for it due to still rising mental health problems. This also applies for working environments, since these spaces are historically built to be efficient and are not about the comfort of the user. Additionally, the majority of people spend most of their day at an office. Therefore this thesis aims to transform an existing social centre into a healthy working environment for body and mind while actively using nature. The research question which is used is: How can the transformation of a social service building, in Gothenburg, prevent mental health issues, and promote wellbeing for the users while reconnecting them with nature? The social centre is located on Lergöksgatan 2A in Gothenburg and focusses on children and youth and their parents/guardians. The methods include literature research on Swedish social centres, Health Promotive Building Design, Salutogenesis and Biophilia. These theories are used since they are proven to be effective for promoting well-being and reconnecting workers with nature. Then a speculative reprogramming is made to change the tone of social centres from an institutional, to a positive inviting character. For this specific location, integrating a family centre is the key. The literature and speculative reprogramming is used to analyse the social centre. Together with a survey, which was sent to the social workers on location, this information is used to gain an understanding of strengths and weaknesses of the current situation. In order to make the design proposal, design strategies are made from which are used as a tool for this project. They can also be used as a base for other projects which aim to transform a working environment to increase the employees well-being and to give the building a communal values. The results show that by adding valuable communal functions (such as a preschool, library/study space, a cafe and an interactive garden), and a positive social service, in this case a family centre, together with actively working with recreating nature, a Social Preventive Care Centre is made.