CONTENT Chapter 01: INTRODUCTION 1.0 Introduction to the Project 1.1 Medium - Process + Development
Chapter 02: BACKGROUND 2.0 Background Research 2.1 Program + Narratives 2.2 Site Proposal: Location, Population + Potential 2.3 References: Case Studies + Precedents
Chapter 03: ANALYSIS 3.0 Demography 3.1 Project Analysis 3.2 Branding + Image 3.3 Benchmark 3.4 Market Analysis/Competitive Analysis 3.5 Competitors
Chapter 01: INTRODUCTION 1.0 Introduction to the Project Jiwata aims to create a space for expressive young adults to get a safe space and an escapism environment while giving a chance for them to explore any suitable type of treatment for themselves. This combines all play, visual as well as movement experience for the children to go around the space and feel comfortable and easy.
Project Title The project is named after ‘Jiwata’ as it is inspired by the combination of two words which are Jiwa and Juwita. Both words are derived from the Malay language. ‘Jiwa’ directly translates as ‘soul’ relating to life, energy, and vigor while the definition of the word with affixes - jiwaku, jiwamu, jiwanya, has a deeper meaning to it. ‘Jiwaku’, being the firstperson possessive while ‘jiwamu’ and ‘jiwanya’ respectively are second-person and third-person possessive. ‘Juwita’ carries the meaning of the person of whom one is fond of and someone who is cherished. As a result of the word combination of Jiwa and Juwita, the idea to name the project as ‘Jiwata’ signifies the care and thought on the life of the precious children. Project Introduction To compare with the usual approach of a treatment, children and young adults who are aware of their mental health state would be hesitant to look for an assist or a support to overcome the issue. With the increasing awareness going around at this era, more people are more open to the concept of looking for a treatment for their mental health issues. The standard therapy method might be a major step to be taken hence by creating a safe and welcoming architecture, this could gather many youngsters into providing them with a healthy environment for their own self-growth.
The main idea is to provide a place where people could opt for a different therapy experience. This therapy approaches the idea of going through the abstract and spiritual journey instead of the usual typical counseling method. The project title itself relates closely to the objective of the project idea in creating a retreat for them. The big idea is to apply a therapy method from a thorough research of art therapy that could allow any user to approach their thought and issue comfortably without having to feel the need to feel as if they are being judged and prejudiced like how usual one-to-one therapy works. Project Intention/Goals Jiwata is created as a wellbeing center rather than merely a healthcare environment allowing much more open and spontaneous therapy sessions for its user. This method could easily aim the children to be much more forthright, not concealing their thoughts or feelings as well as being frank and communicative. This project could also highly influence a new way of spreading awareness on children’s mental health using a much more pleasant and secure approach. Jiwata’s concept of Play to Heal combines the idea of play, visual and movement experience to allow the visitor of the architecture to roam freely around the space with comfort and ease. The open structure with unobstructed pathways provide spatial experience and freedom of movement for the children. The color coding area also signifies the type of area along with the projection of emotions
Aims + Objective The objective of this project is to provide an open and welcoming space for the children to have a second home or as a getaway from any sort of personal problems. Other than that, this idea also aims to track down and collect more data on unrecorded mental health cases in children as it could have the potential to target those with problems into the haven. This project has the potential to contribute to changing public perception of children with mental health by giving them a platform to be acknowledged for its existence and validity. To fulfill the objective there are a few points needed to be done which are: a. Understanding deeply on how mental health is affecting children and indepth research on the therapy along with its medical term. b. Study on the different types of children groups and best therapy to approach them with. c. Providing suitable activity and productivity through planning, space, and structure. d. Observation on local context and surrounding issues. Significant One of Jiwata's significance is definitely on the therapy method which is a total opposite of the usual healthcare approach, a one-to-one therapy session with a psychiatrist. Jiwata offers much liberation of expression incorporating art therapy and the privilege of welcoming hospitality. Through this project too, children will have no doubt on where to run to for quick healing freedom and the ability to improve their mental and emotional state with lesser restriction.
1.1 Medium
Connection of Medium with Project
WHAT: The idea behind the medium is to incorporate a direct way of applying healing space and approaching a dissimilar new therapy method. Hence, the idea is to integrate therapy and mindfulness into the daily routine by slowing things down and paying conscious attention. To obtain these, one could tackle the use of their own senses. This could be achieved by using the reference of a well-known method from Japan. Concept has taken by a well-known Japanese term which is called “shinrin-yoku” which brings the meaning of a forest bathing. ‘Shinrin’ means forest while ‘yoku’ means bath. Hence, shinrin-yoku means immersing self into the atmosphere or taking in the forest using our senses.
HOW: This method explains by simply being in nature, connecting with it using our senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. It also helps immensely even if a small amount of time was given in practicing it by bringing you into the present moment and de-stress yourself.
1. FIRST LAYER: Representing important senses and memories as the first and base of the medium structure.
1.
SECOND LAYER: The following layer represents the stages and
levels one needs to go through in improving the mental health process.
2. THIRD LAYER: Supporting structure which represents self and surrounding people who help throughout the therapy journey.
Chapter 02: BACKGROUND 2.0 Background Research
What is trauma? Trauma is defined as “exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.” Childhood trauma is an event when a child is overwhelmingly distressing or emotionally painful causing lasting mental and physical effects which are often caused by the adversity happening within the household. Type of adversity: abuse, neglect & household challenges ● Abuse: Emotional, physical abuse & sexual abuse ● Neglect: Physical & emotional neglect ● Household challenges: Intimate partner violence, substance abuse, mental illness parents, parents’ separation, incarcerated household members
Trauma effects in individuals Often resulting in lasting mental and physical effects and experience during the first 18 years of life: psychological disorder includes PTSD, anxiety depression, dissociative disorders List of effects caused by trauma: ● difficulty identifying & expressing ● managing emotions ● have limited language for feeling states ● internalize and/or externalize stress reactions ● may experience significant depression, anxiety, or anger.
Local mental health rate regarding child trauma-related cases On a daily - 7 cases of child abuse reported Total cases reported (based on 2008 statistics) - 2000++ cases 1 - 900++ neglect (failed caretaker) 2 - 800++ physical abuse 3 - 700++ sexually abuse (72% incest) 4 - 50+ abandoned babies and children *based on UNICEF,2010 Primary & frequent reason: Failure to provide care and supervision Based on statistics, most cases (sexual abuse + domestic abuse + child abuse): 1-7-year-old age group has the highest number
2.1 Program + Narratives Jiwata serves the purpose of providing a safe space for the targeted children facing mental health issues. It acts to give an architectural solution for these issues through the art-focused therapy method to give a chance for them to have a comfortable and accessible way to overcome these health conditions. The approach taken to fulfill the purpose is by defining the space by sourcing out based on research of using different therapy methods. This project has both risk potential and also the ability to give off impacts on the health sector. Although there are risks on the projection of the idea itself due to it is not following the normal therapy approach and the possibility of it not being able to attract enough users, this could be a good initial step into evolving the state of mental health issues in the country thus making it much easier for people to grasp the reality of the problem among children in this country. Jiwata Meliorating Young Souls through Wellness, Community and Safe Space. Wellness – Approaching and integrating many different type of therapy as a way of wellbeing care
Community – Creating a space which plays the role in embracing the local community and form an aid to the social context of the community
Safe Space – Using architecture as a medium to provide a place or environment of living and learning community where many experience similar pain and heal together without being exposed to any emotional or physical pain.
PROGRAMMING - 4 PROGRAM APPROACH Using the stages of therapy as a guide into creating the program approach, each phase would have a different treatment and experience for each user to go through. The programs selected are as words to represent the main point of the therapy stage - hope, heal, dream, and also inspire.
1. HOPE (Advocacy) The first stage of therapy offered should be opening and be initiative to make sure people are optimistic a. Easy access to targeted community b. Outreach activities to the community
2. HEAL (Enhancement) The second stage would be focused on the process of the therapy providing them with options and approach a. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Treatment b. Knowing Rights
3. DREAM (Empowerment) The third stage of therapy offered allows freedom and a non-constrained environment while keeping track of each person a. b. c. d. e.
Speak Out Rebuilt Trust Communicate Continuous Healing Process Physical Activities
4. INSPIRE (Community Awareness) Continuous follow up is applied accordingly and spreading of awareness to always provide a platform or a ‘safe house’ a. Media Shouts b. Child, Family & Community Support without prejudice
2.2 Site Proposal The proposed location is Chow Kit Buku Jalanan with a combination of another building behind of it which is Sendayu Tinggi HQ. The site location is very close to the main road and has very high traffic of both pedestrian and vehicles.
Address: 20, Jalan Kampung, Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, W.P Kuala Lumpur Transportation detail: Car – 30 to 40 minutes drive (depending on traffic and time) Bus – KL70 Sri Amar Bus Station on opposite road Train – Monorail Chow Kit station (10 minutes walking distance)
Dividing both buildings site by using the existing structural grid of both beams and columns collaborating with organic structures and pathway to allow movement pattern and space segregation. The structural grid helps in separating the levels along with creating a fun and playful look to the overall architecture while the organic structure signifies the movement freedom. Below is the SWOT and AEIOU study to support: ● ● ● ●
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Strength - Low and middle group of community which highly could be among those with mental issues Weakness - Mental health issues might still be a small problem in the targeted community Opportunities - Great way to introduce and initiate a new therapeutic approach in the capital city Threats - Constant evolving surrounding developments could affect the local context making it less relevant
Activities - Therapy/wellbeing center and facilities Environments - Creating a safe space/haven Interactions - Social collaborations and open discussion & observation Objects - Both spiritual and physical amenities track mental health conditions and data Users - Improvisation of the state of mental health of the children
2.3 References Case Studies What is a Trauma? by Medical Hypnosis Malaysia https://medicalhypnosismalaysia.com/main-applications-of-medicalhypnosis/trauma-therapy/ According to the American Psychiatric Association (2013), trauma is defined as an “exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. “ What Is Trauma Therapy? by Sarah Fader (2020) https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/trauma/what-is-trauma-therapy-and-howdoes-itwork/?utm_source=AdWords&utm_medium=Search_PPC_c&utm_term=_b&u tm_content=118051370367&network=g&placement=&target=&matchtype=b& utm_campaign=11771068538&ad_type=text&adposition=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5 auGBhDEARIsAFyNm9Er7ubNdhEqIPJvWAS3MuQSeHVMWQjaNNaCz6iJ 0ZhqBZ32ed4NeEEaAvY2EALw_wcB There are many reasons that trauma hurts us and causes post-traumatic stress. One thing you may not know is that trauma physically changes our brains. According to trauma therapists, when you experience a traumatic event, your mind changes. Areas of your brain that once worked in a particular way change based on hyperarousal due to trauma.
Forest Bathing by Qing Li (2018) https://time.com/5259602/japanese-forest-bathing/ We all know how good being in nature can make us feel. We have known it for centuries. The sounds of the forest, the scent of the trees, the sunlight playing through the leaves, the fresh, clean air — these things give us a sense of comfort. They ease our stress and worry, help us to relax and to think more clearly. Being in nature can restore our mood, give us back our energy and vitality, refresh and rejuvenate us.
Mindfulness and the 5 Senses by Jor-El Caraballo (2017) https://www.talkspace.com/blog/finding-inner-peace-mindfulness-5-senses/ Mindfulness is the power of living in the moment, embracing your current circumstances without judgement or pretense. To be mindful is to be a conscious observer.
Precedent Studies Therapeutic Gardens for Children by Wenxi Huang (2020) https://www.asla.org/2020studentawards/1647.html This research project focuses on establishing an effective guideline or toolkit for landscape architects to design therapeutic gardens essential for autism and special education communities. The study investigates and identifies crucial design elements for a therapeutic garden through case studies of pre-existing sites, interviews with their staff and educators. THE HEALING PLACE by Meng Leong https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/msdx/archive/2020_s1/thesis-studios-andresearch/master-of-architecture/architecture-thesis-studio-09/meng-leon This project investigates on the issue of late-life depression in Australia amount the senior groups with local and Chinese background, exploring the concept of healing in architecture from both evidence-based and intuitional approaches. Phenomenology is applied in the research process to discover the emotional factors that have impacts on people’s perception of space. Drug Rehabilitation Thesis Ebe by Basson J (2014) https://www.scribd.com/document/353733086/thesis-ebe-2014-basson-j-pdf Adaptive Healing. n w. To Exploring therapeutic architecture and the integration of addiction rehabilitation into the Cape Flats, Mitchells Plain.
3.0 Demography Age – Adolescence Generally, adolescence is defined by a group of people going through the phase of life between their childhood and adulthood which range from the age 10 to 19. This group of age is chosen as the project target as this is the age when most people would have biggest changes in their life in term of education, surrounding, physical changes, etc. Hence, by creating a safe space project this could contribute to them as a place for them to escape for short getaway. Other than solely for the reason of providing an architectural space to serve as a quick break, it is also to increase awareness on mental health among adolescence and to minimize the amount of young children wandering around the city streets.
Diversity: Gender & Race – No exception This project promotes openness and focus highly on creating awareness to give a better environment as well as surrounding to any visitor who in need of a place to both hang out at and search for therapy. Hence, this project does not limit people of any background in terms of both gender and race.
Family size, Earning capacity & Living standard This project encourages any parent or guardian to allow the targeted group to be able to come and visit the site hence it is open to any group of family. However, it depends on other factors such as the background of a family, the earning capacity as well as the living standard of the family. This is because those who wish to reach out for treatment and therapy will be required to pay an amount for the services offered. That is why we created spaces which segregated into three different type of treatment approach - Wellness, Community and Safe Space. These type of approaches allow the flexible of each visitor to accommodate according to their needs while still having the accessibility to the building. The therapy treatment is focused more in the Wellness areas while it is accessible to all visitors in the Community and Safe Space areas.
Cultural aspect Since the mental health topic is still a taboo to certain groups of people, it is much more approachable to present the idea of the project to people who are more aware of the importance of taking care of their mental health especially since the early age. The Community areas are provided to focus more on creating an open space for the public as well as giving awareness to people. The project has the potential to act as a platform as visitors who come by will be sharing their experiences and sharing to many regarding their personal thought on it. Other than taking in the point of the cultural aspect, the social trace of the adolescence dwelling within the city streets also contribute into the idea of the project as it will allow them to have a safe and open environment to spend their free time at instead of wandering around and allowing them to be in an unwanted surroundings.
Customers and Benefits Customers of Jiwata will be focused on adolescene ranging age from age 10 to 18 but does not limit visitors who are interested to access the building as well as the treatment benefits. The spaces are focused more on children starting from the age 10 to allow them to have an expressive surrounding as well as a safe space for them to hang out at to guarantee on their safety. There are highly welcome to use the public communal spaces while it is also possible for their parents or guardian to bring them for a visit for any kind of therapy and treatment. Each segregated spaces benefits the visitors in different way in a way that Community will provide them a space to easily walk in and out, allowing them to come as they would like to, meanwhile Wellness will benefit the visitor in term of getting any therapy that would suit them. The Safe Space serves as a place for visitors are in despair and in need of shelter to easily get assistance and help from Jiwata.
3.1 Project Analysis SWOT of Jiwata Strength – Jiwata providing different type of spaces to accommodate visitors needs and could give benefit to many groups of visitors. Weakness – High amount of awareness needed to be applied to make sure the project idea could be run and attract possible targeted visitors Opportunities – Jiwata has a possibility to be a creative hub which focus in the well-being community Threats – Visitors with mental health issues might not be familiar with a different approach of therapy than their usual counseling treatment
AEIOU of Jiwata Activity: What is going on? – Jiwata serves as a platform to gather disturbed adolescences, giving them a safe environment to be at as well as providing many approaches of mental health therapy to the visitor Environment: Where is the experience? – The experience will be situated in three different type of spaces - Wellness, Community and Safe Space, accommodate different type of visitors according to their needs. Community will be on the highly accessible on the ground level to allow easier in and out meanwhile the Wellness space will situate in many different levels of the buildings serving different type of treatments. Safe Space will be on the topmost level providing privacy and personal space to visitors of much severe cases.
Interactions: How are people relating to each other? – Visitors of Jiwata come with similar background which is having a personal problem regarding their mental health. People coming in could relate with each other by having familiar issues within themselves and they would have the same intention of approaching and seeking for treatment that would suit them. Objects: What are the things involved? – Each spaces offer different experience with different involvement of medium. Community will allow visitors to interact with the open spaces and among each other meanwhile Wellness spaces consist of treatment of many types which revolves around the uses of their five senses such as swimming therapy, yoga, music therapy and art therapy. Users: Who are the people involved? – The interactions in Jiwata are between the visitors and also the psychiatrist which work hand in hand, in spontaneous manner to lead and study them through the therapy approach provided.
Impact on Relevancy of Project Jiwata has the possibility to create an impact on the nation mental health issue on this particular age of group as till now there is not much awareness being spread around to combat the problem. By providing a physical building, creating some sort of safe environment and allowing them to freely access and benefit the spaces, could potentially allow Jiwata to be a hub for the targeted visitors. The spaces given in Jiwata will allow them to be much more expressive and enjoy the brief moment of freedom while providing different approach of treatments. Not only this could help in terms of improvising the quality of the community, it can also reshape the healthcare and the system on how mental health cases are being handled.
3.2 Branding + Image Identity of Jiwata – Logo
The Jiwata logo is created using the font called ‘The Barista’ by 177 Studio on Dafont to create the identity of a friendly and approachable therapy center. The color selection for the logo is green as it represents the color of life as well as giving the meaning of renewal. The cod of the color is #182c1c (R: 24, G:44, B: 28). The choice of the color is due to its association with the meaning of growth, safety and environment which related to the entire idea of the project.
3.3 Benchmark Planning - Type of benchmarking: Performance This way of benchmarking is focus on continuously improve results as Jiwata focuses on the wellbeing state of its visitors. This help to define the target of the project idea as well as giving achieving ambitious goals. - To determine the performance of the business, the method use for the collection of data will be obtained from the visitors’ profile and current progress to measure the project efficiency. Analysis - The current performance gap of Jiwata has the disadvantage where it might be a challenge to gather the targeted visitors due to the newly introduced idea and the low awareness level of mental health issue. - The performance of the project in the future could have the possible to be keep up to its maximum potential if better spread of awareness is being done from time to time. Integration - The best way for the project to communicate with its potential visitors is by implementing the open concept to the interior of the building as well as creating external platform to attract visitor into Jiwata. - The functional goals of Jiwata is to create the hub for needy visitors who are in need of a safe space to be in and providing the alternatives of type of treatment to overcome mental health issues. Action - Few best approaches which can be taken as the action plan for Jiwata is by improving internally in terms of the existing services and therapy treatment offered to make sure the highest quality is being served to all visitors. - Other than that it is important to constantly having an external interaction with higher authorities such as in the healthcare fields, using the advantages of social platforms to communicate and promote the business ideas. Maturity - By implementing the approaches as well as having planning for the business hence it is important to fully integrate such practices and monitor the business performance from time to time.
3.4 Market Analysis/Competitive Analysis
Jiwata comparing to competitors: -
MMHA Wellness Hub Artherapy Commune for Arts
To compare Jiwata with other therapy center which also offers the ‘art therapy’ approach, Jiwata has the potential to serve its visitors the service of a high quality without paying much money to get access into the provided spaces. Even though there are other competitors which are offering similar therapy method, it is less likely to be accessible by passersby and require much more of a formal visitation rather than a spontaneous one. Jiwata also offers more variety in terms of the spaces setting and gather more different type of treatment in one place.
3.5 Competitor Identify market potential To compare Jiwata with other competitors, this business idea has the potential to attract more visitors due to its concept of creating it as a communal space rather than just treatment-focused center. Jiwata also has the chance to overcome the main issue of overcoming the unhealthy habits of children wandering around the city by creating the community space on the ground level while having the option for them to pursue any possible treatment for the health issues. This project idea has never been applied into other competitors’ business hence Jiwata has the potential to give an impact on the healthcare field. Identify new and interesting market opportunities The new and interesting market of Jiwata is surely the integrated spaces of all – Wellness, Safe Space and Community which allow all layers of potential visitor to approach the building to fulfill their needs according to their budget and goals. The Community could serve as a gathering space for the locals to come together and even having the chance to operate their business there. Other than that, by having the Wellness spaces it could give the opportunities to recruit people and increase the job opportunities to any professionals who are related to the healthcare field. Last but not least, the Safe Space gives the opportunity to shelter those who are in severe cases of abused or disturbed household to obtain a temporary safe environment. All these spaces offered by Jiwata will create opportunities for the business to grow even more and soon will have the potential to work along with the government and healthcare centers in overcoming the issue nationwide.