RESTORING THE ABILITIES

Post Covid Trauma

2020 year has brought about a lot of changes in our society and our daily lives. In the last several
months, millions of people around the world have had to quarantine, self-isolate, and social
distance. Our private lives, public lives, our family lives and our work lives have drastically shifted
into what many call the new normal. While much of our attention has been given to medical
experts and following government guidelines.
Having to wearing a mask whenever we walked outside and keeping a six-feet distance from other
people has become a new habitual norm.We will never look at the world the same.Coronavirus
pandemic has changed the way we think about space in germs and sanitation.
But,is that only thing designers should look at when reimagining space after the pandemic?

To investigate the current post-covid trauma, rethinking therapy and building space with
friendly communities through architecture. This will also concentrate on co-working space
and workshops to tackle post-covid trauma.

The goal of this thesis is to explore new ways of how architecture can help our mental health
and deal with anxiety and depression caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project is
going to be addressed towards a community, medical workers, post covid patients.
ARTICLES

Research from express scripts revealed a 21% increase in ANTIDEPRESSANT, ANTIANXIETY and ANTI-INSOMNIA medication
prescription between february and march.

The elevated levels of anxiety and stress are partially caused by the all the economic changes in the market.Additionally, media
persistently showed people everyday the statistics about growing number of cases, how many people have died, and that coronavirus
will not go away any time soon. Stay at home orders, distancing ourselves from people who are close to us, having no social interactions
except from virtual meetings on a Zoom call – all these factors lead to depression.

“Feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, and other emotional or financial stresses are known to raise the risk for suicide. People may
be more likely to experience these feelings during a crisis like a pandemic. However, there are ways to protect against suicidal thoughts
and behaviors. For example, support from family and community, or feeling connected, and having access to in-person or virtual
counseling or therapy can help with suicidal thoughts and behavior, particularly during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.”

● Have this pandemic caused long term effects on design?

There is no doubt that the pandemic has caused long – term effects on the design. The fast spreading virus has made architectural
designers rethink the spaces inside our homes, where we have spent majority of our time. They noticed the need for connection with
nature, desire for more balconies in apartment buildings and better HVAC systems. But apart from the sanitary aspect of changes,
architecture should also respond to all the depression and anxiety caused by the pandemic and isolation. Architecture is a powerful tool
that affects our daily lives, can affect our emotions, and change how we feel.
 ● Whose mental health is the most affected by coronavirus pandemic?

The COVID – 19 pandemic caused and intensified a lot of physical and mental issues in the general population. Feelings of isolation
and fears about the health of those we care about leads to developing depressive symptoms, insomnia, and anxiety disorders. People
especially vulnerable to those symptoms are healthcare workers struggling every day in hospitals to help their patients.

The physical and mental health burden is very high in health care workers.

People working hours in a stressed tense environment are

especially exposed to the mental trauma of a pandemic. Medical
workers have been known not to disclose their mental issues and
emotions due to embarrassment, not accepting it and fear about
confidentiality.
UNICEF report spotlights on the mental health impact of covid-19 in children and young people.

-Children's mental health DURING covid 19

● As COVID-19 Pandemic heads into its third year, the impact on children and young people’s mental health
continues to weigh heavily.
● Through the pandemic, children have had limited access to support from social services due to lockdown measures.
● The disruption to routines, education, recreation, as well as concern for family income and health, is leaving many
young people feeling afraid, angry, and concerned for their future.

-Children's mental health BEFORE covid 19

● The report notes that even before the COVID-19 crisis,

children and young people carried the burden of mental
health conditions without significant investment in
addressing them.
● In India, children with mental health disorders are mostly
undiagnosed and hesitant in seeking help or treatment.
According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry in 2019,
even before the pandemic, at least 50 million children in
India were affected with mental health issues; 80 – 90 per
cent have not sought support.
Ways to protect the children's mental health amid coronavirus and lockdown:

1. Self-regulation Of Fears And Anxiety

In any crisis, children perceive and react the way they see their parents responding to a situation.

2. Follow A Routine

Children belonging to all age groups have some or the other kind of a routine.With the current pandemic, the
routine has gone haywire.

3. Provide Right Information

Though one should not overload a child with the information, facts, and reports about the coronavirus crisis but
providing right information and creating awareness is the key.

4. Offer Personal Space

Everyone needs a personal space, sometime where they are on their own, without anyone nagging them to do
some or the other thing or constantly blabbering. In the time of coronavirus, when people are either living with
their families or friends, the personal space seems to be lost somewhere.

5. Engage, Involve And Interact

The key to keep children busy is to engage with them, involve them in household chores and allow them to
interact with their friends, family and neighbours.
An Indian study from September 2020 mentioned what has been reported as a way
of coping with the stress and anxiety caused by coronavirus pandemic:

“To date, there is little information to guide the

development and implementation of mental health
interventions to support health professionals, patients,
and the general public during medical pandemics.”

In response to COVID – 19 pandemic there has been a

lot of research done on how to create a new safer future,
stopping the germ spread and re – opening the world.
WELL Health and Safety Rating, a verified rating for
different facility types, is addressing the issue and
promotes methods of establishing a better, sanitary
environment. 8 However, in addition to battling the
spread of germs designers should look for methods of
creating emotionally safe spaces that promote mental
well – being.
KU.BE House of Culture in Movement
Location: Frederiksberg, Denmark.

Area Of Project: 4000m2

Architect: MVRDV,ADEPT

TYPOLOGY OF SPACE:
-Building serve as community space that explores
the themes of culture, movement and health.
-Building blends sports, learning and theatre into
one space for enhancement of body and mind.
-Encourage a healthy life for people irrespective of
their age, interest and help in connecting space.
-Community, where people are encouraged to
involve in various recreational spaces.
-Building colour element with dynamic and
playful architecture encourage use participation in
many ways.

Exterior view of KU.BE surrounded by gardens

ORDERING OF SPACE: OUTER VOLUME :
-Concept is six volume of each unique program, are -Simple look from outside but
arranged in the form of pleasing on the site which are unexpected interior spaces.
distinguished by its colour sand shape. -The playful geometry of the
-Each individual element possesses its own geometry shape and in manner in which
that offer multiplicity of uses. they are ordered bring
characterised to the building.
-Visual framed views from the
facade makes the recreational
activities visible from exterior.

Element inside volume

Translation
of
individual
zones into
the volume Facade on both sides showing framed views of the interior
of site
ZONES-INNER VOLUMES: SEQUENCING OF SPACES:
-Visual Connectivity increased by Clustered spatial organization is form within spaces Physical area
double height created in building open up for various possible for interaction. Each volume hold
within the space that overlook different recreational activities.
the happening activities. -Larger volume hold public gathering or performance while smaller
volume are for exhibitions.
-Each zones gives character but also forms certain areas for
connection and movement.
The void space brings three floors together and hence
-Each shapes creates a sequence of event that adds diversity of
give possib include fun elements like tube for movement experience. At all three levels of different size, height and shape
and small windows creates curiosity look at things
happening in the play zone form a place for INTERACTIVE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

Open volumes created in between adds visual

Each shape holds unique program and they together result into
connection of recreational activities on each floor
comprehensive recreational center that offers diverse activities
 CROSS-SECTION:

Cross section showing various recreational activities happening at different zones in

each element of the building (Section source:
https://www.archdaily.com/794532/ke-house-of-culture-in-movement-mvrdv
plus-adept)
Diagonal placement of
elements in plan gives the
space dynamism and adds
to the playful character of
the space.

It also provides dynamic

open public space at the
entrance which hosts
various recreational
activities and increases
social interaction
Open social areas in form
of play zone left open for
user interpretation for
recreational activities

Physical activity area have

space for spectators to
engage more people
Multiple double height
areas and courtyards are
formed at various places
due to playful
arrangement of elements,
they increase connectivity
throughout the space

Flexibility in spatial
organization due to
various types of furniture
used
Movable partitions gives
the required privacy for
the mediation area

Donut shape yoga and

exercise area gives unity by
its circular form
Movement between the floors is
explored in different ways like
climbing, jumping and sliding
which adds physical recreational
activities.
INFERENCE:
1. Adds SOCIAL and CULTURAL values of the community.
2. Various themed environments that inspire people's creativity and integrates
interactive experiences.
3. Diverse activities are informed and guided by various visual and physical
connections by different elements and their function within the building.
4. Overlapping and stacked volumes are unrevealed by the exterior of the building,
the framed view of activities visible from exterior garden gives an overview of the
liveness of the building.
5. Interesting concept of element of varied geometry placed inside the volume is
complemented by variety of colour and material palette.
6. Colorful floors and walls, acoustic panels in ceiling and warm wooden floors are
given a bone of exposed concrete.
7. Design is mix of the recreational activities and culture that gets a dynamic and
playful fabric of the building .
8. Understanding ordering and sequencing of space helps to decipher aesthetics and
the values that the place hold.
PHAENO SCIENCE CENTRE
Location: wolfsburg, Germany.

Area Of Project: 12000m2

Architect: Zaha Hadid.

TYPOLOGY OF SPACE:
-Phaeno Science centre is an interactive cultural
and recreational centre in Wolfsburg, Germany
that is dedicated to earth sciences, nature, and
physics. The centre constitutes 350 interactive
exhibitions, experimental stations on various
themes of gravity, laser light, tornados, and so on.
The exhibitions are aimed particularly at families
and children. However, vast range of activities in
the program includes special events, exhibitions,
laboratory, workshops, a science theatre and a
shop attract people of all age. The centre creates a
complex set of spaces that are dynamic and fluid
in nature. At first glance it is perceived as a
complete mystery because of the unusual scale
and forms of the volumes and artificial landscapes
that surround the building.
Exterior view of PHAENO SCIENCE
CENTRE from across the street.
 Artificial landscape formed by lifting up the main building
provides open public space with undulating planes for
various recreational activities

1. Phaeno Science Centre

(a) Facade of the center oriented towards two different directions have 2. Pedestrian Bridge
different openings (b) Immediate context of the center showing other historic 3. Midland Canal
and cultural buildings (c) Views of the Industries from the center reminds one 4. VW carcity complex
of the Wolfsburg's context (d) Framed views of the city from other side of the 5. VW factory
building 6. Train station
High Including mezzanine
volume level increases the
Interacti visual connectivity
ve of activities amongst
exhibitio the floors
n spaces

Interacti
ve
recreatio
nal
activities
happenin
g in the
open
public
space
outside
the
Space itself becomes the medium to host
center
various experiments and public gathering
during a Proportions of the structure with respect to the
cultural scale of human
festival
PLANS
ORDERING OF SPACE

Ground floor offers huge open public space and on moving

further the functional spaces find their way in the cone shaped
structures. The concourse level floor has the main exhibition
are spread throughout the floor and also continues to the
mezzanine floor. Individual functions like restaurant, coffee
bar, event space, and shop hold different themes by their
placement into each separate block. The plan shows the
division of functional space but also marks out the proportions
for public space, cultural spaces and commercial areas.

The section marks out the form of each volume and states the
relation between programs. Here, the aesthetics of building are
informed by the ordering and sequencing of spaces that
manifests referential values
INFERENCE

The success of the building lies in creating equal amount of experiential public interior and
exterior spaces for all. The manifested contextual values add deeper meaning to the building
and here it affects the ordering and sequencing of spaces. The manner in which the spaces are
laid out depends on the values that architect has tried to integrate at different levels. Phaeno
is not just like any other science centre, it offers interactive museum exhibits with science
experiments, the laboratories allow people to glance scientists at work, and the open
exhibition space that is exhibit of the various science themes. The program encourages
learning in a quite diligent way along with hosting recreational activities. The building is a
perfect blend of gaining knowledge and becomes a stage to involve in various recreational
activities in leisure time. Though the primary aim of the centre is to make people conscious in
the field of science by varied forms, the multiplicity of programs makes Phaeno an effective
recreational space for the community.
AREA PROGRAM:
1. Recreational Spaces.
2. Green Spaces.
3. Indoor and Outdoor Sports activities.
4. Primary Health Centre.
5. Workshops.
6. Meditation.
7. Co-Working Office.
8. Cafeteria
9. Communal Gardens.
10. Sports
11. Centrally attracted space.
Source
https://www.proquest.com/openview/9bdbb5feeaa84777674e7a6b01ff18a7/1?pq-origsite=gsch
olar&cbl=18750&diss=y

https://www.archdaily.com/794532/ke-house-of-culture-in-movement-mvrdv-plus-adept

https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/how-to-take-care-of-mental-health-among-children-during-co
ronavirus-pandemic-and-the-lockdown-48426/