ANTILLES – Healing Center for Mental Health
HEALING CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Puerto Plata, Dom. Rep.
Realizado por: Alexander Bello, Kiara Santana y Alina Bueno
Professor: Arch. Sarah Tió
@EAD_PUCMM
Did you know that mental health is a fundamental aspect for the well-being of the human being and that little is talked about? Today in the Dominican Republic due to social stigmas towards mental illnesses, there is a lack of awareness and accessibility to mental health. And not only that, but according to the WHO, of the health budget in the Dominican Republic, barely 0.4 percent is allocated to mental health, one of the lowest investments in Latin America.
For this reason, the creation of a Therapeutic and Healing Space for mental health is pertinent. A different architectural proposal that integrates open and versatile spaces, Healing Environment strategies, to intervene in a dignified way, mental health problems.
The creation of this center aims to
1. RReduce the global mortality rate,
2. FStrengthen the prevention and treatment of the abuse of addictive substances and;
3. RStrengthen the capacity of countries in terms of early warning and risk reduction.
Within Latin America we approach the Dominican Republic, in the province of Puerto Plata, specifically in the municipality of Puerto Plata. The land is located on Carretera Cantabria, close to the Sabana Grande Elementary School in the La Uva sector. It is located on the outskirts of the city, close to the urbanized sectors The Torre Alta urbanization and Maripica o Cocacola.
It is strategically located to expand health coverage to the northern zone, which has a deficit of facilities to cover mental illnesses.
UA wide expanse of land characterized by its rugged topography and abundant vegetation, close to an easily accessible Major Avenue. The land is surrounded by natural landscapes, such as the Isabel Torres National Park and the Atlantic Ocean, which provide maritime and forest views to the project.
A partir de los 7 Pilares de la arquitectura Curativa del Arquitecto Stefan Lundin. se construye la base conceptual del proyecto en donde se plantean estrategias como:
- Achieve a building that welcomes
- Design individual rooms and unit as a whole
- Direct and active contact between patients and staff
- Provide small seating areas
- Provide small seating areas
- Access to outside climate and vegetation
- Evoke perceptions of health and safety.
Likewise, The conceptualization of Antilles starts from the contextual architecture. It is made up of two aspects: the first being the essence of Antillean architecture where its characteristics are translated into architectural gestures such as organic, permeable, round angles, pastel colors, sloping ceilings; and secondly, the environmental strengths of its location such as terraced areas, topography, visual approach, vegetation and finally the identification of axes and critical points.
The conception process begins by identifying the environmental aspects, then proceeded to place the area program on the ground from the aspect of fragmentation, which is based on the fact that the Caribbean is fragmented both physically and culturally, being the caribbean sea the one that unites and divides. Finally, the application of Antillean gestures to obtain language and form.
In addition, analyzes of references that possess the Healing Environment strategies were carried out, in order to be used in the interventions of thespaces, both interior and exterior. Strategies, such as creating areas publicsand transition, implementation of various scales, balance between occupation and green, creation of ambientes acatchers and the use of natural light.
In relation to the spatial distribution, the center Antillas It is divided in two. The first being an outpatient area for rehabilitation and consultations, and the second an area for hospitalization and internment.
In the surroundings of the buildings there are different areas of rest and green areas that serve as connectors and transition spaces. Like, orchards which are used by and for patients. Allowing a constant dialogue between patient, caregiver and the environment.
Having mentioned this, we can specify that our ambulatory area encompasses the first two buildings, and its plazoleta pública. Due to the spatial flexibility offered by the structural distribution in steel, both buildings are on the ground floor and have inside, medical offices, rehabilitation rooms, un ala de investigación, un centro de diagnóstico, un taller educativo, una cafetería y el área administrativa.
It is worth highlighting the evidence of the concept of fragmentation in the building plans, since it is shown in a modern and contemporary way when it normally manifests itself in rural areas.
The areas mentioned are connected through walkways and transitory areas green spaces, as presented in the image. These offer multiple connections to a natural environment natural and permeable to the user.
The hospitalization area is located on the upper levels, giving it a character of privacy, normality and hierarchy, thanks to its elegant and cozy V columns. When accessing this area, the first scenario with which the user interacts is with the large outside terrace. This is the central space of the third building, which serves as a viewpoint and from which you can access the 4 occupational therapy rooms, the gym and the dining room.
As we enter the fourth building, we see how all the areas of thefirst level they are radially connected in a central garden, from which you can access, through ramps, the upper level, which has single, double and triple rooms.
As we can see in this detail of the facade, solar panels and gutters for collecting water, rest on the sloping roofs, as well as green roofs that help the thermal comfort of the spaces and improve air quality. Also, it is important to highlight that a technical floor rests on the metal deck of the hospitalization building due to the slope of this mezzanine, this to allow the leveling of the rooms and the passage of the ducts and pipes.
We can see in the longitudinal section, how the architectural entity adapts to the terrain through three terraces, which allow the user to enjoy panoramic views and contact with nature.
In the same way, the center makes use of underground spaces, locating the maintenance and service areas in them. These are made possible by the use of sheet piling steel retaining walls.
Likewise, towards the top of the land, we find the elegant dormitory building, which is distributed axially and rests on structural steel columns in a "V" shape.
In the same way, the cross-section shows the permeability treatment in the building, which helps improve thermal comfort through cross ventilation.
As we can see in the image, thanks to steel and its aesthetic appeal, a sense of neutrality and tranquility is reflected in the interiors.columns, which have a sky blue finish, work harmoniously with the large glass windows and the landscape creating a safe and open environment for the user.
The steel structural system is based on the use of "V" and "Y" columns, as a parametric structural proposal, these represent hierarchy and provide spatial flexibility, high resistance and ductility to spaces. In the same way, they generate free floors and walkways, which give way to the easy mobility of the user, enriching their experience at the same time.
The structure seen is based on the first pillar of curative architecture, which is to implement a structure that promotes dignity. The users of the center cohabit with steel as the main material, and this addresses the essential needs to inhabit a space through well-being and comfort.
As the base of the structure, the use of continuous concrete footings was implemented, on which pedestals rest that are divided into two inclined steel tubes. These allow axial loads to be resisted, limiting the bending derived from large spans.
The aesthetics of the buildings is based on the structure, and the combination of structural systems, such as "V" and "Y" columns and strip footings that provide greater resistance due to the presence of uneven terrain. On the other hand, for both the mezzanine and the roof, W beams are used that support a metaldeck, these provide security against hurricanes and rigidity for the necessary comfort in the building.
In this way, Antilles provides the necessary infrastructure to deal with mental health problems in the Dominican Republic in a dignified manner. Evoking an atmosphere of social interaction, normality and security to its users.
Sarah Tió | Professor of Architecture and Design