Disciplines
Architecture
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Alcoholism recovery housing, such as a sober living house, often overlooks the profound impact that architecture and the environment created from the built world can have on the therapeutic process of rehabilitation. The physical space where individuals receive mental health treatment plays a crucial role in their recovery journey, yet many facilities fail to consider how design elements can support or hinder the healing process. A well-designed sober living house should provide a safe, comforting, and inspiring environment that promotes continued recovery and therefore enhances the effectiveness of therapy and other treatments. There is a large gap between the physical and mental space of recovery and transitional housing and the reality of many individuals who are entering into these programs. Many of these types of recovery houses do not provide appropriate means of healing and therapeutic spaces that acknowledge the realities of people’s financial support or emotional support outside of that singular environment. By neglecting to address the architectural aspect of recovery spaces, they may be inadvertently hindering the progress of their patients. Through historical research and case study research specifically focused on choice architecture and biophilia in a recovery space, a connection between nature and mental wellness can be established and programed into an architectural design in Atlanta. Choice architecture involves designing the physical environment in which choices are made to encourage desired outcomes. Biophilic design principles will apply to the design as a way for recovering occupants to have a close connection to nature which has been proven to enhance occupant health and productivity. By leveraging choice architecture and biophilic design, continued rehabilitation, and sobriety for recovering alcoholics can be an inclusive and inspiring place for establishing mental and physical health decision making.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CACM - Architecture
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Robin Puttock
Included in
Reimagining Recovery: Architecture's Role in Sobriety
Alcoholism recovery housing, such as a sober living house, often overlooks the profound impact that architecture and the environment created from the built world can have on the therapeutic process of rehabilitation. The physical space where individuals receive mental health treatment plays a crucial role in their recovery journey, yet many facilities fail to consider how design elements can support or hinder the healing process. A well-designed sober living house should provide a safe, comforting, and inspiring environment that promotes continued recovery and therefore enhances the effectiveness of therapy and other treatments. There is a large gap between the physical and mental space of recovery and transitional housing and the reality of many individuals who are entering into these programs. Many of these types of recovery houses do not provide appropriate means of healing and therapeutic spaces that acknowledge the realities of people’s financial support or emotional support outside of that singular environment. By neglecting to address the architectural aspect of recovery spaces, they may be inadvertently hindering the progress of their patients. Through historical research and case study research specifically focused on choice architecture and biophilia in a recovery space, a connection between nature and mental wellness can be established and programed into an architectural design in Atlanta. Choice architecture involves designing the physical environment in which choices are made to encourage desired outcomes. Biophilic design principles will apply to the design as a way for recovering occupants to have a close connection to nature which has been proven to enhance occupant health and productivity. By leveraging choice architecture and biophilic design, continued rehabilitation, and sobriety for recovering alcoholics can be an inclusive and inspiring place for establishing mental and physical health decision making.