Bregalito – Mental Health Therapeutic Center
MENTAL HEALTH THERAPEUTIC CENTER
Jarabacoa, Dom. Rep.
Realizado por: Erick Quezada, Jafeisi Ventura e Isabel Read.
Professor: Arch. Sarah Tió
@EAD_PUCMM
What if I told you that 442 suicides were recorded in the Dominican Republic the year before? And not only that, but according to the WHO in the DR, spending on mental health barely reaches 4.7 pesos per person, one of the lowest investments in Latin America. This is why we propose the creation of a Therapeutic and Healing Space for mental health. We live in a society where the population does not recognize mental health as an essential need for the quality of life of human beings, where there is a lack of awareness, accessibility and recognition of mental conditions, such as diseases. Through a different architectural proposal that integrates open and versatile spaces, natural lighting, a white between what is built and what is natural and other Healing Environment strategies, in the National District to intervene mental health problems in a dignified way and respond to the existing taboo about it.
Because there are 1.75 beds for mental health for every 100,000 inhabitants in the Dominican Republic, where Public Health indicates that 20% of the population suffers from mental disorders, for this reason we designed a mental rehabilitation hospital located in Jarabacoa due to its views towards the mountains, lending the building an air of openness and connection with nature, where each area has its own characteristics, responding directly to the needs demanded.
Además de aprovechar ciertas condiciones climáticas para enriquecer el concepto de islas flotantes que se desarrolla en las instalaciones, esto se debe a que anualmente el río Yaque del Norte se desborda e inunda las tierras que lo rodean.
Sustainability goals The project seeks to take advantage of the conditions that surround it, which is why it is supported by resolutions such as:
The environment: This seeks a quiet and isolated environment that promotes the mental health of the person, freeing them from stress and anxiety.
The funcionality: works on both the social and individual development of the person within the building, in addition to promoting activities such as gardening for the well-being of the person and holistic rehabilitation.
Project Objectives
The strategy for landscape design was based on the idea of floating islands, this aims to respond to possible flooding of the Yaque del Norte River, and in turn adapt to the existing flora in the place and integration with nature, responding with marked environment.
The project seeks to understand the materials, which are understood to play an important role in our emotions, seeks connectivity between the interior and exterior of the project, has flexible facades, incorporates water mirrors to create spaces of calm.
Project proposal
Creation of healing environments, such as orchards, accessibility spaces for communication, relaxation spaces as well as leisure areas, automatic doors for people in wheelchairs, implementation of the Zen garden as a central point of union and in turn serves to generate the peace and harmony within the project, air conditioning systems such as the mesh, the use of water sources to seek a representation of the springs. Wide corridors, with good visuals, and creation of spaces that seek freedom when walking.
Starting point of the project
It focuses on generating spaces that respond to the needs of the person, architecture and well-being. Offering quality and safe services, that are connected to nature, and that also have good lighting, visuals, ventilation and good perception.
Structural Foundations
The building is a steel structure, raised on stilts, covered with 12mm laminated mirrors and standard 1220 x 2440mm sheets. In addition, it has materials such as:
- Glass.
- Metal Mesh: It is a versatile material, since it can be used for multiple things depending on the thickness and the handling that is provided.
- Black Steel: square-shaped structural steel tube, manufacturing standard NTE INEN 2415; SAE quality J 403 1008;
Use of steel in context
Thanks to the use of steel, the structure allows us to have large spans, and achieve the concept of adapting to the topography, being able to create elevated platforms, as well as bridges and ramps, also responding to conceptual issues. It allows us to use the trusses as both a structural and aesthetic element. And thanks to the metal deck structure we can create a light structure.
Program areas contain mesh or perforated stainless steel panels, which are designed to accommodate spatial and structural connections. The mesh works as a permeable roof, lattice, floor or semi-open partition wall. Thus working in a permeable way, allowing ventilation and sunlight, being perfectly united, forming a unique functional and organizational structure.
Sarah Tió | Professor of Architecture and Design