Date of Submission
Spring 5-8-2023
Degree Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Architecture
Department
Architecture
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Timothy Frank
Abstract
Adults in America have experienced the highest records of stress since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Individuals aged fifteen to forty-nine were polled to be more stressed out than the age groups above and below them. Dealing with decreasing stress levels in America poses a challenge as there are many factors that contribute to this stress which range from work, finances, poor relationships, low activity and lack of sleep. 78% of Americans on average feel stressed at least once a day per week. The top five American locations that have the most stressed out people are Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, New Orleans, Louisiana, Baltimore, Maryland, and Newark, New Jersey. Creating a relaxing, experiential, stress free wellness retreat that is located in a highly accessible part of the city could contribute to lowering the stress levels of adults. This newly proposed wellness retreat would utilize the primary senses and be designed in a way that would cause the body to release dopamine “the feel good sensation” endorphins, which would counteract cortisol which is released when the body is experiencing stress.
The wellness retreat would experiment with tactile design within architecture. The spaces that are designed with the tactile principle in mind will alternatively reduce stress. Spaces that allow for social interaction also reduce stress, as well as sensory effects such as a play with visual light and shadows. As a result, light, color, movements, and sound would all be explored in unique ways to create several spaces that when combined together, help frame an overall story.