Know thyself: cultivating sustainable mental health through architecture-mediated meditation

Abstract

The healthcare system is under immense strain due to the growing demand for the treatment of illnesses. The origins of many chronic diseases can be traced to chronic stress induced by the increasing environmental stimuli in today’s world. A significant health determinant relates to an individual’s capacity to manage chronic stress. Recent interest in mindfulness-based interventions has shown clear benefits in alleviating symptoms associated with stress-related conditions in clinical settings. Furthermore, mindfulness-based interventions can also serve as a means to develop strategies that enhance stress management skills and foster resilience against illness in non-clinical contexts. Despite the expanding research field, contemporary formal venues for mindfulness-based education are scarce, and traditional options are often inaccessible due to their remote locations. Consequently, the design proposal of this thesis aims to create a space that facilitates more accessible mindfulness-based education. The proposed mindfulness-based educational centre in Sudbury, Ontario, will primarily support healthcare professionals and post-secondary students, as these groups have been identified as particularly vulnerable to chronic stress resulting from their work and academic responsibilities.