Healing Homes A Search for a Future Home that Fosters Wholistic Wellbeing

The research began from the search for architecture that was suitable for both human wellbeing and his environment, as a response to a better future home design for all - irrespective of age or health status. It set off with a reflective phase that entailed a mapping of design theories and principles, and an analysis of case studies of architecture design that responded to the quest. The selection of the case studies in itself, and the comparison with theory formed a part of the the reflection as the cases were assembled and articulated. With what Pier Vittorio Aurelli describes as ‘mediums’ of the project - texts without which architecture cannot be realised and ‘drawing’ by which one is able to ‘think through architecture’, the mediums were used in parallel. Thus, the research continues in the form of drawing and redrawing accompanied by texts of reflection and interpretation of the cases which gives rise to the first hypothesis of the research. The second hypothesis is drawn from a reflection on discussions and interviews with peers, colleagues and architects which births a parametric index on designing for wellbeing.

In the second phase, the research envisions a project phase where the results deduced from the reflective phase can be tested through designing using the knowledge and concepts drawn from the hypothesis. The 3 possible testbeds in consideration are : hybrid buildings, new housing typology or adapting to an existing house. The personal position taken in the research interplays between the ‘researcher’ and the ‘designer’ as the back-and-forth process brings the project together.

Aureli P., (2016). Learning from Architecture, pg 27,28. Prototypes and Paradigms. (DR_SoM: Design Research, Series on Method; Vol. 1). TU Delft Open.