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Psychiatric Institution, Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, England.

Part 2 Project 2014
Jennifer Evans
University of Huddersfield | UK
Life, a cycle of: Crisis - Stabilisation - Restoration
It is evident that emotions do influence one’s mood and physiological responses, thus affecting one’s reasoning as well as the body’s immune system. The key driver for this scheme is to find the ideal balance between what is theoretical and what is practical: attempting to establish the exact emotional response intended through creating space that stimulates wellbeing and embraces people, nature, life.
This design thesis, which can be described as a Community Respite Center for Mental Health, broadly aims to achieve 'meaning' that stimulates the healing process, promote and enrich the social connections between patient and community, increase awareness of the phenomenology of psychology and by doing so, improve the general attitude people have towards mental health.
N.E.S.T. Center entitled 'Northern Environmental Sanctuary Treatment’ Center is situated in Mytholm near the centre of Hebden Bridge.
The proposed development integrates the community with those who have mental health problems: To sustain the local community and economy, the proposed development enables people to provide their services at the facility, such as art workshops, meditation and fitness classes, group talks, cooking classes, gardening, reading groups, poetry and more. All activities include actions of 'Five Ways to Well-being' with the additional action by HOOT: Be connected, be active, take notice, keep learning, give, plus be creative.
People with mental health problems can sign up to take part of the provided activities and are supported by experienced staff members as well as the community. To further integrate the community, N.E.S.T. also allows the community to organise public events within the large flexible-use rooms, such as art galleries, receptions and meetings.
Whilst 'Architecture - A medium to influence behaviour and mental wellbeing' (Dissertation) explores the connections between emotions and physiological responses, this design thesis explores relationships between the site, the local community, the topographical setting of the area and the proposed development.
To reflect the cycle of life i.e. the falls and rises, NEST Center celebrates the changes in life evident when the site floods and the relative ground levels disappear below water level.

Jennifer Evans

Tutor(s)
Mr Gerard Bareham
2014
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