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Evolution: A holistic rejuvenation and wellness center, Chicago: Graphic Argument

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My thesis proposition is to design a center for yoga, meditation and spa. The idea is to engage architecture, hospitality and interior design as a medium to create a space for an overall holistic experience. I am interested in the ethereal qualities in nature and their ability to tranquilize a... Show more My thesis proposition is to design a center for yoga, meditation and spa. The idea is to engage architecture, hospitality and interior design as a medium to create a space for an overall holistic experience. I am interested in the ethereal qualities in nature and their ability to tranquilize a person’s state of mind. Show less

ARCH / Architecture

Photographs

Illinois Institute of Technology

Takle, Rameshwari

Felsen, Martin

2012-04-24 2012-05

My thesis proposition is to design a center for yoga, meditation and spa. The idea is to engage architecture, hospitality and interior design as a medium to create a space for an overall holistic... Show more My thesis proposition is to design a center for yoga, meditation and spa. The idea is to engage architecture, hospitality and interior design as a medium to create a space for an overall holistic experience. I am interested in the ethereal qualities in nature and their ability to tranquilize a person’s state of mind. Show less

Master's project Still image Architectural sketches Detail Elevation Cartographic material Still image Plan Sections Site plan

application/pdf

Environmental systems Landscape architecture

2012-05-01T00:00:00Z 2012-05-01T00:00:00Z

Open Access

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ In Copyright http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/

http://hdl.handle.net/10560/2715

Related Items

GEOTHERMAL HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER

A Hydrotherapy Health & Wellness Center based on use of Geothermal Aquifers in Manikaran, North India. 

Bachelor of Architecture Thesis

• Tasks: Synopsis, Architectural Research, Site Analysis, Case Studies, Conceptualization, Design Development, Design Presentation
• Tools used: Adobe Indesign, Adobe Photoshop, AutoCad, ArchiCad, Rhinoceros 3D, V-ray
• Project Duration: 6 months
• Association: Geological Survey Of India, CCA, India

Description of Purpose

In India, the therepeutic potential of the geothermal reserves is vast but unexploited. Most of these thermal springs are known as a prominent pilgrimage sites relating their healing capacity to religion. The envisioned program designed a step-by-step intervention meant to reactivate and complement the existing urban structure as a:

• New thermal health and wellness complex: The scale of the thermal complex itself was designed to extend the urban fabric of the existing pilgrimage sites, to create a new plaza that enhances the space around the shrines, and to encompass the variety of contemporary thermal treatments.
• Cohesion between the existing and the new: The design established a dialogue between pre-existing and new, topography and the built environment. Its form shall be generated by the water flow, the tectonics, natural slope and vistas towards the historical center.

METHODOLOGY & SCOPE

MAJOR FUNCTIONS IN BUILT COMPLEX

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

SITE ANALYSIS

SECTIONAL VIEWS

VIEWS & SKETCHES

TRANSPARENCE

An international architecture design competition., time for one more.

OIA EMPORIA

A vernacular architecture study and design project..

Architectural Thesis - The Wellness Hub

Undergraduation Thesis project in architecture .

Creative fields.

Architecture

• centre for wellness

No use is allowed without explicit permission from owner

The Pine – Wellness Centre by Arpan Jain

Site Location:  The location of the site has a rare advantage of being in the prime area of South Delhi (one of the most affluent areas of Delhi) at the same time secluded from the mainstream noisy areas. The fact that it is surrounded by green belt on three sides ensures peace and serenity and hence augurs well for the concept of wellness center.

Project name: “The Pine” – Wellness Centre Location: Said-ul-Ajaib, Delhi, India Site area: 5.25 acre Client: Delhi Tourism and Transportation Corporation Stage: Concept

“Wellness for all”:  Wellness is mainly concerned with the wellbeing of your physical & mental state and not just avoiding disease. Wellness centre is thus expected to provide healing through traditional methods of treatment including Ayurveda, Yoga, etc.

The concept “Wellness for all” is to build a space where the purpose of sustainable environment can be promoted through the architectural language with respect to wellness. The purpose of the wellness centre here does not only concern with the human being but also every creature of bio diversity under wellness centre. For planning & designing the project, passive technology is used which is concerned with the major issues of contemporary world.

Biophilic design:  At the entrance, two statues of meditating buddha welcomes the visitor with peace and auspicious vibes, followed by parking bay grass patch with concrete are used as it reduces heat island effect which is good for rain water harvesting. Approaching towards entrance foyer, supported by green column also used as terrace garden giving relevance to biophilic design in wellness center. Landscape spaces like waiting area with plants and water bodies are provided for users at therapy areas. Guest rooms are stacked alternatively providing users an opportunity for personal gardening and interactive spaces within private zone. View of fish pond and mediation center through dining area enhances the overall dine-in experience.

Meditation Centre:  Meditation centre is built which is devoted to practice of meditation and thinking, taking advantage of the climate to maintain a comfortable temperature range which also reduces or eliminates the need for auxiliary heating or cooling.

Form development:

Our “pine”al gland, shaped like (and named after) the pine cone, typifying the epicentre of enlightenment of our brain, the pineal governs our body’s perception of light. Therefore, shaped from the pine cone.

Its rhombus shading device over triangulated concrete structure provide diffused sunlight inside the centre & vents covering the triangular windows allow the conditioned air from pond throughout the building and let the hot air comes out from the upper vents.

Courtyard:  Building form derived in such a way that it creates courtyard with meditation centre at the center of the building. Courtyard architecture is beneficial for user & the site as well because of its natural benefits such as maintaining optimal temperature, proper light and good air flow as courtyard engages within itself.

 Aquaponics:  Fish pond around meditation centre is not only a part of passive architecture but also provide ammonia and nutrients for soil less growth of plant by pumping water from fish pond to green house. treated water from greenhouse is then released back to fish pond. This combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants) grows fish and plants together in one integrated system. The fish waste provides an organic food source for the plants, and the plants naturally filter the water for the fish. In this way aquaponics capitalizes on their benefits, and eliminates the drawbacks of each.

Providing horticulture therapy through architecture:  Horticultural therapy is based on people-plant interaction. Studies have shown that plants are the only species which emits positive energy to the environment.  Through gardening & spending time with plants or nature, one can share his/ her emotions & care for them just like we do for our family or friends. These activities directly or indirectly enhance the strength of human body and mind. Positive attitude towards plants can heal the mind moreover having a garden and pursuing gardening techniques can improve the quality of life of a person.

Arpan Jain is an architect, designer, researcher and a sustainability consultant. He appreciates smart growth and practices conscious approach; therefore, sustainable architecture appeals to him more than aesthetic does. Currently, he is keenly researching on integration of parametric strategies in building to expand the usage of natural daylight and ventilation. He is an avid reader, studying latest technologies and developments in architecture world, interest him especially.  His motto is to inculcate such readings in his work as extensively as possible. He is a young dynamic individual who aims to create awareness through his work and believes in growing parallel to his surroundings.

Rethinking The Future (RTF) is a Global Platform for Architecture and Design. RTF through more than 100 countries around the world provides an interactive platform of highest standard acknowledging the projects among creative and influential industry professionals.

Tracing the Space by Yoo Kyung Lee

The Plant Story by Wirestu Sekar

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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

School of architecture & urban planning, student work, thesis: re/set a contemplative wellness retreat, abigail schmidt.

University campuses are a place for academic achievements, athletic pursuits, social engagements, and independence — yet there is minimal architectural emphasis to support emotional well-being. Unfolding the stigma of mental health on college campuses through a building that itself is a journey of renewal is the goal of this proposal. This project is situated on Wisconsin Avenue of Marquette University, bringing the wellness center to the forefront of the campus. The building itself encompasses the Jesuit principle of Cura Personalis: health of the mind, body, and spirit. The building is arranged around a seasonal garden which ignites the senses of the body and provides areas of release. RE/Set provides an opportunity to celebrate emotional well-being of the campus while resetting the campus edge condition.

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Healthy Spaces: The Rise of Wellness Design in 2022

• Written by Ankitha Gattupalli
• Published on December 26, 2022

The year 2022 saw a rise in conversation around health and well-being. Two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the architecture industry is more informed about healthy building practices and equipped to drive forward impactful solutions. World Architecture Day 2022 was themed around “Architecture for well-being” , paralleling the designation of 2022 as the UIA Year of Design for Health in buildings and cities. As we wind up the year, ArchDaily explores “healthy spaces” as a trend along with insights that will last well into the future.

We spend around 90% of our time indoors . In 2022, lockdown lethargy still continues to drive most people’s lifestyles. The pandemic served as a turning point in the architecture industry’s understanding of health and wellbeing. Ideas and experimentation in the following two years have allowed architects to better implement the science of wellbeing through design strategies. Becoming increasingly aware of the impact built environments have on us, there is a growing interest in understanding the universal effects of building design on bodily health.

The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well being”. By designing spaces with a focus on their impact on health, wellness architecture is capable of delivering buildings that host this multidimensional definition. Wellness design may be a relatively new term, but the principle borrows ideas from historical design techniques.

Ancient Greek townscapes were a harmonic combination of temples, clinics, houses for sleeping cures, and theaters from cultural, spiritual and physical relief. The Romans recognized the importance of light, wind, water and its relation with buildings to promote healthy living. In the East, Chinese and Indian design traditions were centered around wellbeing practices like feng shui and vastu respectively.

The World Health Organization has called out for making mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority. Designing for health and wellness can be viewed from different perspectives, such as environmental, intellectual, spiritual and physical factors. Within the larger push towards healthier architecture, a set of micro-trends help accelerate it:

Biophilic Design 

The Biophilic Response to Wood: Can it Promote the Wellbeing of Building Occupants?

Sustainable architecture aims to create buildings that are healthier not only for its surrounding environment, but its inhabitants. Biophilic design was established from the understanding that the mind and the body develop within a “sensorially rich world”. It utilizes nature’s cure to alleviate stress, improve air quality, and support cognitive function. Fundamentally, the principle emphasizes the connection between indoor environments and occupants with nature. With all the ongoing design trends that have consolidated as a result, the demand has focused on organic materials that emulate outdoor environments.

Salutogenic Design 

What is Salutogenic Architecture?

Aaron Antonovsky , a professor, researcher, and medical sociologist identified the impact of stress as a primary cause for the deterioration of physical health. His concept ‘salutogenesis’ hypothesizes why some individuals under stress fall sick while others stay healthy. The design model offers a network of tactics to enhance the inhabitants' sense of understanding of the space, manageability in the space, and sense of meaningfulness in the space. The factors have been proven to improve the mental and physical wellbeing in a building. While salutogenic design can be applied to any structure, it proves most advantageous to healthcare facilities where the built environment influences patient recovery and fosters a natural healing process .

Lighting Design 

Why Circadian-Effective Electric Lighting Matters

For thousands of years humans only knew daylight, fire and the darkness of night. Now we spend about 90% of our time in interior environments, not getting the proper balance of bright days and dark nights. Living beings are biologically linked to light - it is the primary stimulus for maintaining the circadian rhythm. As we live most of our lives in closed environments, we are bombarded during both day and night with intense lights, disrupting our natural circadian rhythms. By optimizing light levels and accessibility in spatial design, natural balance can be promoted to benefit productivity and sleep cycles.

Material Design 

What Materials Can Promote Health in Interior Architecture?

Indoor environments and material surfaces tend to host fungi, mold or molecular-type contaminants like allergens that can come from rodents and pets. Other hidden hazards include CO2 and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that originate from building materials, home furniture or cleaning supplies. All of these pollutants can be detrimental to physical and mental health, even more so if they accumulate. The most effective ways to mitigate the propagation of indoor pollutants is by choosing modern, non-toxic, sustainable building materials that are purposely created for safe construction and use in the home –hence promoting physical, mental and environmental health.

To be capable of fully enhancing human health and well-being indoors, buildings need to be designed with a changed approach. By optimizing parameters such as light, materials, ventilation, green space and coherence, architecture can support mental and physical health in a holistic way. The future will see advancements in the area of health and wellness design, putting architects at the forefront of collective well-being.

This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Year in Review presented by Randers Tegl . “When creating unique architecture, visionary ideas aren’t always enough. A unique look demands character, courage, and distinctive materials. And a format to achieve the extraordinary. At Randers Tegl , we aim to add a unique touch to exceptional brickworks by bringing premium bricks to life and into the world of architecture. Making the impossible possible. We are proud to be a part of unique architecture worldwide since 1911.” Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and projects. Learn more about our ArchDaily topics . As always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us .

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Health and wellness conference Boutique Fitness Summit comes to Reston

The event will host a variety of workshops on local studio success and feature keynote speaker Anne Mahlum of DC-based Solidcore.

By Jennifer Zeleski July 23, 2019

We live in a time where you can try a new boutique fitness class every day of the week. You can strap yourself in for a ride at a local cycling studio, spread out a mat for a temperature-controlled yoga class or sign up for a boxing workout that simply looks fun.

The success and popularity of unique fitness classes has shown up in the numbers across the United States, too. According to a report by Toptal Finance , memberships of health club locations more than tripled to 57 million in 2016, based on estimated popularity stemming from the late-’80s weight lifting and aerobics era.

As more residents attempt to find their fitness niche, entrepreneurs are seeking out opportunities to meet the demand. That’s why the Boutique Fitness Summit , an educational and immersive conference for fitness studio owners, managers and hopefuls, is being held on Aug. 1, at the Hyatt Regency in Reston.

The conference will host a wide array of workshops on topics like strategy, corporate wellness programs, technology use and studio growth. The keynote speaker will be Anne Mahlum, founder, owner and CEO of  Solidcore .

Malum started the DC-based fitness chain almost six years ago and has a goal of reaching 125 locations by 2022 . The company opened its latest Northern Virginia location in Reston back in March, totaling six in the region thus far.

Other speakers include David von Storch of Urban Adventure Companies (known for his management of Capital City Brewery, VIDA Fitness and more), as well as other CEOs and founders in Northern Virginia.

The Boutique Fitness Summit has a full schedule of workshops and events from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Reston on Aug. 1. Learn more and purchase tickets at  bfsconference.com . // Hyatt Regency Reston: 1800 Presidents St., Reston; 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; tickets start at $169

For more health-related stories, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

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Class of 2024 Gallatin Graduation Ceremony Speakers Announced

Apr 16, 2024

Dean Victoria Rosner recently shared the following message with the NYU Gallatin community, announcing the speakers for the Class of 2024 Gallatin Graduation Ceremony.

Dear Gallatin community,

Graduation is my absolute favorite event of the school year. It’s a time of joy and commemoration — and a moment to welcome family and loved ones to celebrate with us and share our immense pride in the Gallatin Class of 2024.

I delight in seeing our students venture into the next chapter of their lives after Gallatin. It’s equally wonderful to hear from the speakers at the Gallatin Graduation Ceremony, each of whom embodies our School’s spirit and values in some important way. I’m excited to share with you those who will help make the occasion a memorable one.

Julian Cyr, Alumni Speaker

Julian serves in the Massachusetts Senate, representing Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. First elected in 2016, Julian is among the youngest senators in the 40-member body. He serves as Assistant Majority Whip, Chair of the Committee on Public Health, and on committees with oversight of housing, mental health, elder affairs, clean energy, and racial equity.  

Julian has championed policies related to housing, water quality, the climate crisis, harm reduction, and LGBTQ+ equity. He authored landmark mental health care reforms and ensured vital protections for access to gender-affirming care as part of a comprehensive reproductive rights package. 

Julian graduated from NYU Gallatin in 2008 with a concentration in Public Policy and Community Health. While at Gallatin he led undergraduate student government and initiated a community-based HIV screening and prevention model on campus. However, he will tell you that he learned many of the skills he uses daily from waiting tables and cooking behind the line for 14 seasons at his family's restaurant in Truro, Massachusetts.

Kristoffer Diaz, Faculty Speaker Kristoffer Diaz is a playwright, librettist, screenwriter, and educator. His musical  Hell’s Kitchen  — created in partnership with musical legend Alicia Keys — recently opened at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre, and his play,  The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity , was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. Kristoffer’s adaptation of the Disney film  Hercules  premiered in Central Park in Summer 2019 as part of the Joseph Papp Public Theater’s Public Works program with a cast of nearly 200. 

His work has been produced, commissioned, and developed at The Public Theater, Dallas Theater Center, Geffen Playhouse, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival, among many others. Kristoffer has received many awards, including the Guggenheim, Jerome, Van Lier, and Gail Merrifield Papp Fellowships;  New York Times  Outstanding Playwright Award; Lucille Lortel, Equity Jeff, and OBIE Awards; and the Future Aesthetics Artist Regrant, among others. As a screenwriter, Kristoffer has developed original television pilots for HBO and FX, written for the first season of Netflix's  GLOW , and adapted the musical  Rent  for FOX.

Kristoffer holds a BA (‘99) from NYU Gallatin, an MFA (‘02) from NYU Tisch’s Department of Dramatic Writing, and an MFA from Brooklyn College’s Performing Arts Management program. He teaches playwriting at NYU. He is an alumnus of New Dramatists and serves on its Board of Directors. He also holds memberships with both the Dramatists Guild Council and the Writer’s Guild of America, East.

Alex Friedman, Student Speaker Throughout her academic journey at NYU, Alex has delved deeply into the intersections among humanity, minerals, glass, and other substances when exposed to heat’s transformative power. Gallatin courses like “New York’s Coastlines: Past, Present, and Future” and “Home Economics” have helped her to explore the complexities of this interdisciplinary field, bridging the gaps between art and science. In addition to her classes, she has explored her concentration through her summer research, made possible by the Gallatin Undergraduate Research Fund, Dean’s Award for Summer Research, and Horn Family Fund for Environmental Research.

Alex’s work in her concentration, Heat: The Art and Science of Life, sheds light on heat's profound impact on our daily lives and explores innovative solutions to pressing challenges facing our warming world today.

Beyond the studio, Alex is passionate about collaboration and community engagement. You can read more about her in the  most recent issue of  Gallatin Today . 

I also want to congratulate Gallatin’s Class of 2024 honorary representatives, who will join me on the field at Yankee Stadium during NYU’s All-University Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. You can read a bit about each of them below. 

Mychal Pagan, Bachelor of Arts Degree Representative Mychal’s concentration examines narrative environments and the dynamic interplay between social actors and the environments that shape their stories. Drawing from philosophy and practical exploration, he studies the intricate dynamics among narrative text, urban landscapes, and the human experience. 

Originally from Long Island, NY, and now rooted in the urban landscape of New York City, Mychal is committed to working with the youth of justice-impacted communities facing challenges and limited opportunities and championing the cause of second chances. He worked as a student researcher for the Prison Education Program Research Lab, contributing to projects around debt and incarceration, and as a Gallatin student photographer. He has also served as a volunteer on the editorial boards of  The Gallatin Review  and the  Literacy Review . In his senior year, Mychal received the Gallatin Global Fellowship in Urban Practice and the Dean’s Honor Society Membership, serving as a keynote speaker at the 13th National Conference on Higher Education in Prison. 

Aubrey Williams, Master of Arts Degree Representative Aubrey Williams is an MA candidate at Gallatin with a concentration in Anti-Racist Organizational Policy and Development. Her areas of focus sit at the intersection of sociology, labor studies, and nonprofit management. She is most interested in how racial inequality has been shaped by capitalism, unjust labor practices, and organizations — with a hope that one day this will change and a desire to be a part of that change.

Currently, Aubrey serves as a Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Senior Specialist at the Wikimedia Foundation, the organization that hosts Wikipedia and other free knowledge projects. In her role, she has the privilege of creating programs and policies that embed the principles of justice, equity, and accountability. After graduation, Aubrey plans to continue working in the field of DEI, where she can put theory into practice and work towards antiracism in organizations.

Ben Cresto, School Banner Bearer Ben’s concentration focuses on using holistic design interventions in the built environment to develop solutions for the realities of the climate crisis. He has explored the interconnectivity of the ecological, social, and political dimensions of urban design — and what they look like in an era of widespread disruption.

During his time at Gallatin, Ben has been involved with the Americas Scholars Program, most recently traveling to Chile to study environmental and political disaster. He is currently continuing his work through independent research on the nature-based, antiseismic architecture of the Mapuche people. He has also conducted research on the intentionality and biases of lighting infrastructure in Chicago. This laid the groundwork for his senior project, which focused on adaptive reuse as a grassroots form of urban revitalization. 

Ben hopes to pursue a master’s degree in architecture and urban planning to continue advancing equitable and regenerative urbanism.

And finally, I’d like to congratulate the recipients of this year’s BA and MA graduation awards. You can access a list of all this year’s award winners by visiting the Class of 2024 Graduation Awardees web page.

I look forward to celebrating with you all at All-University Commencement on May 15 and at the Beacon Theatre on May 16!

All my best,

Professor Victoria Rosner Dean, NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study