The Mix: The Re-Articulation of the North American Interior is an investigation and design proposal that revolves around the territorial differentations of public and private spaces.This inquiry will directly study the ways that Digital Communication Technologies (ICTs) have changed the way that North Americans live. Their influence affects the way that people work, socialize, and where they choose to live. The impact of ICTs coupled with the use of mobile devices have created a new population of teleworkers, meaning that people can work and exchange information wherever there is an Internet connection. The use of mobile devices such as cellphones and lap tops change the dynamic of public space. Actions such as talking on the phone, or reading e-mails creates temporary pockets of privacy within public environments. This inquiry will investigate the direct impact of information communication technologies (ICTs) on North American interior spaces in addition to developing a new model for dwelling units. The results of this study will be implemented in the design of a mixed-use dwelling, whose programme aims to create new spatial adjacencies to satisfy the territorial differentiations of public and private space.

The Mix: The Re-Articulation of the North American Interior is an investigation and design proposal that revolves around the territorial differentations of public and private spaces.This inquiry will directly study the ways that Digital Communication Technologies (ICTs) have changed the way that North Americans live. Their influence affects the way that people work, socialize, and where they choose to live. The impact of ICTs coupled with the use of mobile devices have created a new population of teleworkers, meaning that people can work and exchange information wherever there is an Internet connection. The use of mobile devices such as cellphones and lap tops change the dynamic of public space. Actions such as talking on the phone, or reading e-mails creates temporary pockets of privacy within public environments. This inquiry will investigate the direct impact of information communication technologies (ICTs) on North American interior spaces in addition to developing a new model for dwelling units. The results of this study will be implemented in the design of a mixed-use dwelling, whose programme aims to create new spatial adjacencies to satisfy the territorial differentiations of public and private space.

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This project embraces the intersection of biophilic design and mindfulness as a means to positively impact its users' mental health. The use of intersections in this design embodies therapy's goal of creating a welcoming space where people can safely explore and accept who they are as they travel their mental health journey. Mental health is an increasing problem, particularly for younger people whose social development was abruptly interrupted and adversely impacted by the pandemic. Those struggling with mental health are plagued by constant battles with their own thoughts of insecurities, fear, anxiety, and self-harm or harm to others. Embrace provides architectural spaces that support mental health and therapy by leveraging biophilic design and mindfulness. Existing mental health and behavioral clinics commonly misuse or ignore the potential for architecture to aid in therapy. These designs further alienate those struggling with mental health and do not encourage people to stay at the building beyond their initial appointment. This project takes advantage of the potential for architectural features to become active tools in therapy through biophilic design and mindfulness, which can make therapy sessions more effective and pleasant. Biophilic design implements physical nature or natural influences into architectural form, materiality, patterns, and features in order to optimize the mental health benefits of natural surroundings. Examples of effective biophilic design strategies include the use of natural materials, daylighting, and views to the exterior. Mindfulness is a common therapy technique used to treat a variety of mental health disorders by reducing anxiety and negative thoughts. This state of mind can be practiced in architecture by tracing shapes, describing, and counting elements. The location selected is in Blacksburg, Virginia, just outside of the Virginia Tech campus. This location offers a lot of potential for interactions with the surrounding environment because of an existing tree grove, its adjacency to the Huckleberry Trail, views toward the Blue Ridge Mountains and elevation changes in the topography. By embedding the two-story building in the landscape, this offers three main view options: views to the south of the tree trunks from the existing tree grove, views to the south of the tree tops, and views to the north of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, the proximity to the Virginia Tech campus is essential because there has been an increase in the number of students and faculty requiring mental health support. The project's parti reinforces the importance of intersection through its overall form. The building is split up into two parallel forms pierced by a third form. The materiality in the parallel portions of the building are mainly natural materials, like heavy timber. The materiality in the third, intersecting piece is mainly structured materials, like concrete. The moments of overlap in the building join the two materialities to make beautiful gathering spaces for those struggling with mental health to meet others in similar situations and promote group therapy involvement. The individual therapy rooms are tailored to the needs of the therapists and include private bathrooms, controlled acoustics, and ample seating. The building provides multiple spaces dedicated to group therapy, community gathering, and reflection. Throughout the building are common spaces designed to architecturally support specific therapy types. These spaces optimize the site location, materiality and building form to create spaces that not only meet the physical needs of the selected therapy, but also create a unique quality and atmosphere. While this building plans for numerous types of tailor-made therapy spaces, this project focuses on the detailed development of three main therapy types: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Existential Therapy. The aspiration of this project is to create a building that is welcoming to the Virginia Tech community while simultaneously supporting mental health with thoughtful architecture. Although the most common reason for students to first arrive at Embrace is for a therapy appointment, the goal is that people will also see the opportunity the architecture provides for reflection, community, and support outside of their appointments times. Ultimately, the architecture gathers the mental health community. / Master of Architecture / This project embraces the intersection of biophilic design and mindfulness as a means to positively impact its users' mental health. The use of intersections in this design embodies therapy's goal of creating a welcoming space where people can safely explore and accept who they are as they travel their mental health journey. Mental health is an increasing problem, particularly for younger people whose social development was abruptly interrupted and adversely impacted by the pandemic. This project takes advantage of the potential for architectural features to become active tools in therapy through biophilic design and mindfulness, which can make therapy sessions more effective and pleasant. The location selected is in Blacksburg, Virginia, just outside of the Virginia Tech campus. This location offers a lot of potential for interactions with the surrounding environment because of an existing tree grove, its adjacency to the Huckleberry Trail, views toward the Blue Ridge Mountains and elevation changes in the topography. In addition, the proximity to the Virginia Tech campus is essential because there has been an increase in the number of students and faculty requiring mental health support. The project's parti reinforces the importance of intersection through its overall form. The building is split up into two parallel forms pierced by a third form. The materiality in the parallel portions of the building are mainly natural materials. The materiality in the third, intersecting piece is mainly structured materials. The moments of overlap in the building join the two materialities to make beautiful gathering spaces for those struggling with mental health. The individual therapy rooms are tailored to the needs of the therapists. Throughout the building are common spaces designed to architecturally support specific therapy types. These spaces optimize the site location, materiality and building form to create spaces that not only meet the physical needs of the selected therapy, but also create a unique quality and atmosphere. The aspiration of this project is to create a building that is welcoming to the Virginia Tech community while simultaneously supporting mental health with thoughtful architecture. Ultimately, the architecture gathers the mental health community.

No description available.

No description available.

As the population grows we will continue to be challenged to meet the high demand for housing in our growing cities. As we strive to meet this demand it is important that we fulfill these needs in a manner that supports human health and well being by providing the inhabitants with access to the outdoors and Biophilic experiences. I will attempt to address these issues through the design of a mixed use housing complex that provides readily assessable private outdoor spaces to all its inhabitants while responding to unique site conditions that support the existing urban fabric of its surroundings. / Master of Architecture / As the population grows we will continue to be challenged to meet the high demand for housing in our growing cities. As we strive to meet this demand it is important that we fulfill these needs in a manner that supports human health and well being by providing the inhabitants with access to the outdoors and experiences with nature. I will attempt to address these issues through the design of a mixed use housing complex that provides readily assessable private outdoor spaces to all its inhabitants while responding to unique site conditions that support the existing urban fabric of its surroundings.

The loss and degradation of our natural environments is increasing at an alarming rate. Within the urban environment there is very little evidence of natural environments left, and what does still exist has been significantly impacted by human activity. Not only is there a need to restore and reintroduce nature back into the urban context for the health of the environment, but as well for the health of the human population. The “biophilia hypothesis” suggests that human beings have an innate connection to nature, and need this connection for their general well-being. The University of Manitoba Fort Gary campus is an everyday environment for many students seeking a post secondary education in Winnipeg, MB. It is a place that students and staff experience on a daily basis, and where high levels of stress and anxiety are ever apparent. This practicum explores how landscape and theories of biophilia can be utilized in the context of a post-secondary institution to mediate the negative impacts stress can have on well-being in this environment. Designing exterior spaces for the well-being of people will encourage a reconnection with nature, wildness, wonder, and awe that we are beginning to lose sight of as we continue to move towards a technology dependent world. An understanding of the various theories surrounding biophilia, wellness, and the environment is outlined in a literature review, resulting from an examination of existing research. Following research, a focused site analysis of the University of Manitoba Fort Gary Campus was conducted and resulted in a design at varying scales and levels of detail incorporating aspects from each stage of the design process.

Biophilia, the human-nature connection, stems from the evolution of humans and our affiliation with natural environments. This need for nature has been proven essential to our health and wellness. Younger generations, especially, have distanced themselves from the natural environment, as they are subjected to conventional forms of architecture. Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada provides the opportunity to inhabit nature through a 2.7 hectare lawn and forest. By working with the environment and weaving activity through nature, this thesis strives to facilitate interaction in a positive way, through principles of Restorative Environmental Design. As a gateway to the forest, this thesis proposes a learning centre, connected by a network of study pods within the forest canopy. These insertions of activity wind themselves through the forest, creating a series of events to experience nature.

The loss and degradation of our natural environments is increasing at an alarming rate. Within the urban environment there is very little evidence of natural environments left, and what does still exist has been significantly impacted by human activity. Not only is there a need to restore and reintroduce nature back into the urban context for the health of the environment, but as well for the health of the human population. The “biophilia hypothesis” suggests that human beings have an innate connection to nature, and need this connection for their general well-being. The University of Manitoba Fort Gary campus is an everyday environment for many students seeking a post secondary education in Winnipeg, MB. It is a place that students and staff experience on a daily basis, and where high levels of stress and anxiety are ever apparent. This practicum explores how landscape and theories of biophilia can be utilized in the context of a post-secondary institution to mediate the negative impacts stress can have on well-being in this environment. Designing exterior spaces for the well-being of people will encourage a reconnection with nature, wildness, wonder, and awe that we are beginning to lose sight of as we continue to move towards a technology dependent world. An understanding of the various theories surrounding biophilia, wellness, and the environment is outlined in a literature review, resulting from an examination of existing research. Following research, a focused site analysis of the University of Manitoba Fort Gary Campus was conducted and resulted in a design at varying scales and levels of detail incorporating aspects from each stage of the design process.