Synergy (Senior Thesis by Nika Luckett)

Synergy

A Wellness Center for

Georgia State University

SeniorThesisby

Nika Luckett

PEACE OF MIND Synergy

Synergy is a proposed wellness center designed to provide peace of mind to the students at Georgia State University using Mindfulness. This spiritual practice is exuded within the space by encouraging students to deeply connect with their five senses: taste, smell, touch, sound, and sight. Each sense is heightened and synergized through a design inspired by the serene, healing aspects of nature: warm sunset skies, curvy flows of water, calming scents, and other beautiful features of nature. The project was created with deliberate spatial organization correlated through zones of behavior that ensure students can experience peace of mind on each floor. Lighting, furnishing, color, and technology implements this concept through a modern design that allows students to find tranquility in the present moment while experiencing mindfulness in a unique way.

100 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Problem

Mental Health of College Students in America

48% believe the mental health effects have directly affected their education 3/4 1/4

considered suicide due to feelings of hopelessness

90%

college students have experienced negative mental health symptoms due to COVID-19 experienced moderate to serious psychological distress

46% reported feeling more isolated and lonelier

71% college students indicated increased stress and anxiety due to the COVID-19 outbreak 9% 20%

indicated it decreased indicated it stayed the same

other

Client Georgia State University Students

91.1%

8.9% emerging adults

• Wellness Programs (virtual or off-campus)

• Mindful Rooms (minimal effectiveness)

• Counseling Center (long waitlists)

• Recent Suicide Rates (june 2023)

• No Wellness Center

Coined by Jon Kabat-Zin in 1979, Mindfulness is a therapeutic technique that takes place when an individual grounds themselves in the present moment by bringing their attention back into their inner being through a meditative state. It is emphasized in Buddhism which developed over two thousand years ago and is known to combat mental health issues and diagnoses.

WhatCanHelp? “Mindfulness” benefits

• Reduce anxiety & depression

• Improve sleep

• Reduce blood pressure

• Stabilize emotions

• Reduce chronic pain

• Helps individuals connect to their five senses based practices can improve mental health and productivity by more than 100%

Case Study

Current Georgia State University Mindful Rooms

Location: GSU Library, Downtown Campus

• 30-minute use

• Uncomfortable furniture

• Tight space

• Used and unsanitary materials

• Minimal privacy

• No natural lighting

• Poor ambient lighting

• Lack of noise reduction from outdoors

• Dull colors

• Plain decor

• Hard to relax

• Poor ventilation

Proposed Site Location & Foundation

Former “United Way of Greater Atlanta” 2 min walk from GSU main campus

The basis of practicing Mindfulness inspires the foundation of the building: connecting to your five senses to become more at peace with the present moment.

Synergy utilizes the first six floors of the building, allowing it to act as an amenity for future occupant use.

zones of behavior created for students tochoosetheirexperiencewithinthe space

this label indicatesspecializedsensory spaces,thespaceoneachfloorthat heightensthedesignatedsensethe most.

2nd Floor Plan - SMELL

5th Floor Plan - SIGHT

6th Floor Plan - REST

Taste

Grounding ourselves through taste is an effective way to bring our focus back to the present moment and engage our senses. Having mindful snacks that provide nutrients and healthy benefits like dark chocolate and nuts can ignite students’ tastes in a peaceful way, where they can savor and enjoy the food fully. As a result, students can gain a boost of energy needed to stay focused on their classes and throughout their overall day.

Chocolate used to groundstudentsinthe presentmoment

Dispensersfilledwithhealthy snacksforstudentstograb andgo(e.g.,almonds, cashews,bananachips,etc.)

mindful snacks:

Nuts Dark Chocolate Strawberries

Smell

Mindful smelling involves paying attention to the various scents and aromas that surround us. Calming scents like eucalyptus, lavender, and other plants have the power to ground us and find peace in the present moment. This space was designed for students to have a unique experience that helps calm their breath, reducing the stress or anxiety they might feel while attending college.

A.C.tohelpwith ventilation

FLOWER HALL – 2nd Floor

Wallpocketsof aromaslike lavenderandeucalyptusused to relax students

Digitalguidedmeditation centered for students to sit down and calm their breath

Orchidshangto inducerelaxing aromas and thrive withproperair circulation

Mmindful scents:

Orchids Eucalyptus Lavender

Touch

Mindful touch involves being fully present in the tactile sensations of our body and the objects we interact with. Thus, textures and objects that feel soft and light on the skin were chosen to help students feel comfortable within the room. By connecting with the physical sensations of touch around the space, students can anchor themselves in the here and now, fostering a sense of groundedness and relaxation.

FUN ROOM – 3rd Floor

Bubblemachineplaced for students to touch andenjoy

Anti-bacterial turf used forbiophilicdesignand appealingtouch

Digitalsimulationwall that mimics movements

textures: Sustainable Turf

Bubbles

Soft Plastic Balls

Sound

SOUNDBATH ROOM – 4th Floor

Calming sounds have many healthy benefits which include helping people relax and reduce tension throughout the body. Mindful frequencies like the sound of singing bowls and water, can improve the overall mental and physical health of individuals. This space was designed for students to mediate and relax amongst these calming sounds, helping them cultivate a deeper sense of presence and awareness. SKETCHUP & ENSCAPE

Singingbowlsusedto centerthefrequencies of thebodythrough calmingsounds

Gong’s vibrations used for meditation

Sounds of fallingwater infused with essential oils used to relieve stress

mindful sounds:

Singing Bowls Water

Gong

Sight

TERRACE – 5th Floor

Mindful sight involves observing all that’s around us without judgment or attachment. This could be noticing the colors, shapes, and movements in our environment. The terrace allows students to embrace the company of other peers while enjoying the beautiful view of the city. Engaging in mindful views like the sunset can help students appreciate the beauty and richness of the present moment. SKETCHUP

Seating providedfor students to engage withpeers

Students ca overlook th campus an watch the sunset to rel

mindful sight:

The City Sunsets Greenery

Rest

Rest is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being, impacting various aspects of our physical, mental, and emotional health. Rest, especially in the form of mindful relaxation or sleep, allows the brain to process and filter sensory information differently than during active states. These napping pods were designed with this in mind, ensuring that students have a peaceful nap in between classes. SKETCHED

Napping pods designed to amplify the senses within one single space, allowing students to enjoy a comfortable, relaxing, and peaceful rest

Interior Displa

Entrance button Bas

White laminate

NAPPING PODS – 6th Floor

e metal Occupant Sensor

Privacy smart glass

Examples

 Sustainable  ADA Compliant

Inclusive

Immersive

Innovative

Encourages LEED Design

rest sight sound touch smell taste

As students ascend each floor, their senses synergize and heighten, ultimately being culminated in a state of tranquility through napping pods designed on the 6th floor.

Typical Elevator Lobby

Elevation of 6th Floor Elevator Lobby mindfulquoteschosentomatcheachdesignatedflooranditssense – usedforwayfinding.

feed soul, your not just

your breathe keep in touch with yourself a sound mind is a sound body see good in all things ego

In what other ways can “Mindfulness” look like with modern technology?

Digitaldisplays that mimic the motion and hues of sunsets at the beach

Inspiration Photos from Google

In what other ways can “Mindfulness” look like with modern technology?

Smoke effects that can mimic peacefulfogin nature

Inspiration Photos from Google

Additional Spaces for Relaxation

Inspiredbythe calminghuesof sunsets & traditional practicesof Mindfulness

Photo from Google

Photo from Google

Group Meditation Studio (2nd & 3rd Floor)

SKETCHUP, ENSCAPE, & PHOTOSHOP

Group Yoga Studio (2nd & 3rd Floor)

SKETCHUP, ENSCAPE, & PHOTOSHOP

Goals

decrease stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues among emerging adults specifically, GSU students

increase mental health resources on GSU’s campus and the graduation rate

inspire other college campuses to provide similar resources to students