Holistic Healing
The study is centered on holistic healing. It is geared to find out how the body adapts quicker to natural medication and treatment, regarding disease prevention. The study will help bring awareness to the need of a community center that offers safer and more affective alternatives to conventional healthcare and treatment. This will allow people of all ages a chance to attain overall wellness as they improve their quality of life.
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Proposition |
Aspirations |
This project examines holistic healing and how it positively affects all areas of the body, specifically in disease prevention and treatment. The study shows alternative ways holistic healing concepts can be incorporated into the built community. The research examines the long-term, positive effects of natural medicine, as well as the holistic healing process has on lifestyle and health. The information gathered valuable questions, including; what is holistic medicine and treatment? Why should a person choose this over the conventional prevention and medical treatment? How can a person make lifestyle changes using holistic healing concepts? How can Interior Designers aid in making the safest environment for the process of these necessary lifestyle changes. |
Through personal experience with natural medicine and holistic treatment, I have experienced, first hand, the effectiveness of this alternative method of treatment and healing. When the conventional doctors and medicine fell short, natural medicine was a breathe of hope. As people realize the “Band-Aid” mindset is a constant dead end, I want to provide encouragement for a new way of living. People need to be coached and motivated to take responsibly for their health. With this research, I plan to motivate the general public to seek an alternative lifestyle as well as to seek disease prevention and treatment. I want all people to know they don’t have to live sick, but enjoying the fullness of life is possible. Through my research, I will uncover some of the obstacles associated with holistic healing but will maintain a reassurance of its ancient effectiveness. I am motivated to use my design skills to create a space that offers healing in the purest form. I will be able to use design as a vehicle for creating the safest space for wellness and lifestyle change. By mimicking similar holistic healing principles, my design can have a large impact on the how society maintains wellness in mind, body, and spirit. |
Site and Building
Codes and Standards
Concept and Design Solution |
The Inspiration for the design and concept of the Baton Rouge Wellness Center is developed around lifestyle change. The design mimics elements of natures, form, layers, and patterns. These patterns over time change and develop.
Inspiration specifically comes from metamorphic rocks and the holistic change they undertake. These rocks are subject to heat and pressure that drive them to make these obvious physical changes. The concept of the wellness center, as a whole, is to provide resources and support to empower change in the human body. Mimicking these patterns and natural concepts will strengthen the organic, holistic environment. Natural Lighting plays a vital role in the healing environment. Capitalizing on the ample amount of windows will make the space feel fresh. Furniture will have crisp clean lines, to avoid the feeling of business and clutter. The beauty of nature and the patterns it forms is made beautiful by its order and purpose. Like natures designs, the Baton Rouge Wellness Center will feel clean, light, airy, organic, and purposeful. The design uses familiar forms and color to replicate nature. It also uses the safest, most natural materials. Specific function of the individual space will drive the color pallet. Soothing colors will be found in the areas of rest where as energetic colors will be found in the areas of movement. The priority of the Baton Rouge Wellness Center is to create a holistically safe environment where guests feel empowered to make necessary lifestyle changes. |
Plans
Renders
Material Specification
Focus Research
When researching, testing, and selecting safe materials, the designer must understand what these harmful materials are, and how they negatively affect the body. After extensive research Scientists discovered Chemical Sensitivities (MCS). “MCS, as defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 2003, is a physical condition whereby the affected person reports sensitivity or intolerance to a variety of common chemicals, both natural and synthetic, at very low levels.” (McCabe 1)These chemicals often times go unnoticed until symptoms occur. One may be in a toxic, harmful environment without any external symptoms but will still be significantly harming their body. These chemicals are often found in common products such as: “cleaning agents (bleach, soaps and detergents), paints, and varnishes (including sealants, caulks and glues), as well as upholstery, carpet, furniture and cabinetry that have been treated or manufactured with common chemicals such as formaldehyde resins (a known carcinogen), pesticides and other toxic solvents.” (McCabe 3) Research shows “these substances and materials have a tendency to “off-gas” a variety of chemical irritants referred to as volatile organic compounds (VOCs),which compromise the indoor air quality (IAQ).” (McCabe 3) The VOC’s are inhaled and obtained through the body’s pour and the body, because it is so immersed in chemicals, can no longer fight off the toxins so it begins to embraces its toxic environment.
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One must understand air quality is vital. Researchers believe, “The air we breathe inside can be far more dangerous to our health than the air outside due to poor ventilation, mold, allergens, etc.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states, “that indoor air pollution is in the top-five for environmental health risks.” Such risks include respiratory diseases such as asthma. Research stated by Lynne Peeples of the Huffington post states, “people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors.” Thus, for many people, the risks to health from exposure to indoor air pollution may be greater than risks from outdoor pollution. Peeples also reports the ingredients found in everyday indoor environments include: “carcinogens, hormone mimics and reproductive disrupters, which could be playing a role in a number of today's increasing health problems. Peeples reports that lung disease now affects an estimated one in 10 children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” (Peeples 2)