Integrating Mental Health Care and Therapeutic Gardens for Youth
I acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, who are the traditional custodians of the land upon which this proposal and my entire postgraduate studies were undertaken. I would also like to pay my respects to their Elders past and present, and emerging.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to thank for family and friends for their constant support and encouragement which carried me through every step of this journey. I would also like to thank my tutor Rose McEnery for her guidance, dedication, insights and patience. Lastly, I dedicate this accomplishment to my grandfather, who, if he were here, would surely be proud to see me complete my postgraduate studies. His memory has been a constant source of strength and inspiration.
August 2024 - Rozelle Bay: Glebe Island Bridge
1. Introduction Abstract
2. Background and Context
2.1 About the client - headspace
2.2 Bicentennial Park Overview
2.3 Environmental and Social Context of the Site
3. Research
3.1 Use of Gardens in Therapy and Healing
3.2 Therapeutic Benefits of Nature and Gardening
3.3 The Recovering Model
3.4 Precedent Studies
4. Design Concept
4.1 User Analysis and Experiences
4.2 Program Development
4.3 Division of Garden Zones
5. Final Proposal
5.1 Arrival
5.2 Spatial Layout
5.3 Seasonal Experience
5.4 Physical Model 6. Conclusion 7. Appendix
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
ABSTRACT
Over the last decade, mental health among the youth has greatly worsened. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 64% of young people are suffering from mental disorders and they are more likely to report symptoms of depression or anxiety than adults aging over 25.1 Consequently, there is a rising need for supportive and efficient therapy environment which serve at both clinical and community levels.
To develop a nurturing space for the users, this thesis focuses on exploring space design that nurtures recovery, social connections, and personal development. The following chapters unfolds the implementation of nature's calming and restorative features to complement structured mental health care, providing young people with a setting in which they can relax, build resilience, and engage in community activities.
In light of the increasing urbanization of most Australian cities and their disconnection with nature, this thesis reinstates natural features within therapeutic settings. Indoor and outdoor spaces have been blended with natural gardens to meet the psychological and social needs of the young users. While considering cultural and ecological context of the site, the project tested principles of the Recovery Model2 to develop a nature-based approach to mental health care.
Integrating biophilic solutions within these environments offers a promising approach to mental health care, combining traditional therapy with the healing qualities of nature. Which arrives with the "Bloom Well" project, a therapeutic project proposal aimed at supporting youth mental health in partnership with headspace, a mental health service organization.3 The project emphasizes a blend of outdoor and indoor spaces, providing youth with a peaceful and engaging environment that fosters healing, social interaction, and personal growth.
The thesis aims to investigate the relationship between nature and youth therapy, and propose a project that is more than just a mental health facility, but a natural healing space where young people can flourish.
1. World Health Organization, “Mental Health of Adolescents,” World Health Organization (World Health Organization, October 10, 2024), https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health.
2. Larry Davidson, Michael Rowe, and Martha Staeheli Lawless, A Practical Guide to Recovery-Oriented Practice : Tools for Transforming Mental Health Care (New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2009).
3. Headspace, “Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation,” Headspace, 2023, https://headspace.org.au/.
CHAPTER 2
BACKGROUND & CONTEXT
2.1 About the client - headspace
Goals and Ambition
Headspace is the leading Australian organization offering early interventions to young people with mental health issues aged from 12 to 25 years.4
The objective of this organization is to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians by providing accessible support across multiple elements: mental health, physical health, drug use, and work/ vocational or educational issues. Headspace therefore aims to develop a friendly, welcoming place wherever early intervention can occur in a destigmatized manner through a youth-oriented environment where youth are encouraged to seek help before their issues become an urgent matter.4
Headspace Camperdown is a branch of Headspace in Sydney that operated by Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney.5
The centre provides mental, physical, and social well-being support to young people of the target age group. The center is located in Camperdown and offers various services to meet the diverse needs of users on campus. Headspace Camperdown consequently aims to be a comfortable and relaxed-type setting where young people can just come in, relax, and discuss with the professional if they have any issues that concern their mental or physical health, right through to study and career planning.5
Services Provided
Therapy & Psychology - 1 to 1 therapy sessions and psychological support, allowing young people to receive advice from a professional on how to overcome challenges regarding anxiety, depression, stress, or other mental disorders.5
Occupational Therapy - The target age group includes young adults graduating from schools, hence there is a need to provide services that teaches strategies which develop daily living and independent skills.5
Work and Study Support - With many young people experiencing issues either at work or study, headspace Camperdown offers work and study support. This would include career planning, resume building, job searching, and how one might balance work or study with personal health and well-being.5
Physical Well-being & Exercise Physiology - The center offers services to further enhance physical fitness through the adoption of healthy lifestyle patterns and the promotion of personalized exercise plans that might help youngsters build confidence, reduce stress, and improve their physical health.5
General Health & Sexual Health - Headspace Camperdown has general health check-ups, sexual health services that include information regarding reproductive health, safe practices, and healthy relationships.5
5. headspace Camperdown, “Information Pack for Young People,” 2022, https://headspace.org.au/assets/Uploads/Centres/Camperdown/Information-pack-for-young-people-2022-v2.pdf.
IMAGE 2 -Brain and Mind Research Institute, photo by John Gollings
Site Visit on 30th August 2024 -Brain and Mind Centre (USYD)
The Atrium located in the lobby not only serves as circulation but also creates a unique threshold moment, allows natural light to enter the building's interior, and grows greenery under the stairs.
Arrival Experience
The arrival experience at headspace Camperdown is designed to be welcoming and relaxing, ensuring young visitors and their families/ guardians feel calm as they enter the facility.
Located on the first floor, the headspace reception stays away from disturbing noises from the street, allow visitors to sign in and be assisted by the staff on duty. There are plenty of sofas dedicated to the waiting area in the arrival lobby. Casual and cozy, this area alleviates the anxiety that young people may feel before their appointments.
"It
is important to remove barriers around seeking help, to create an environment where young people can feel witnessed, supported, and empowered to be active participants in their own journey of mental health.6 "
Social Empowerment
Besides, there is also a quiet corner in the lobby out of which there is a shared café area. Here, visitors and staff can grab some light refreshments, relax, and socialize in less formal settings. The presence of the café adds to the welcoming ambiance, minimizing the clinical aspect of this centre, where young people come not only for therapies but also to socialize and connect with one another.
According to Rikki Kosick, one of the youth access team member, the headspace Camperdown had a focus on youth mental health, through a community development lens.6 The centre has a peer worker trainee program that provides the opportunity for the youths who have experienced some difficulties with their mental health to support and inspire others.
Hence, it is essential to provide shared spaces for young people to interact with one another in a more relaxed and informal state.
IMAGE 3 - Headspace Reception, photo by polykala
Photo taken during site visit
Shared Gathering Space
Within headspace Camperdown, the Social Space provides a creative expression for young people by offering a range of activities and resources. There is a small band room equipped with musical instruments where they can explore music at leisure, practice, or hang out with others. Such a band room provides a unique therapeutic space for self-expression through music, releasing stress by building confidence in young people.
Adjacent to the band room, there is a large group room dedicated to art and craft activities. It contains facilities for hands-on art practices, storage shelves for materials and tools, and display panels where young people can show their work. The goal of having an art space is to provide a non-judgmental, comfortable, open space— to be able to express oneself, share with others, and go further with one's creativity. These two spaces put together create a sense of community and allow the youth to learn to use art and music as therapeutic tools that will help them in socializing and creating better emotional health.
Photos taken during site visit
Interview Rooms
Complying with the Australasian Health Facility Guidelines (AusHFG),7 the consultation rooms within headspace Camperdown are thoughtfully designed to make the room comfortable and private for private sessions that would be carried out by young people with their counselors or therapists. The size of these rooms is small but efficiently laid out to maximize space performance. It is set up with a desk, computer chair for the therapist, and comfortable seating for the user, which might be an armchair or small sofa. This seating arrangement sets the scene for a relaxed and informal atmosphere to open conversation.
The room is modestly decorated but incredibly inviting. A soft, patterned rug adds color to the otherwise neutral room, adding an element of warmth. Adding natural elements such as potted plants and large windows gives one a feeling of calm, even indoors. The frosted windows allow the room to be naturally lit with privacy.
These consultation rooms keep an atmosphere of serenity and comfort; even the wall art or subtlety of decoration is done to minimize the clinical aspect. This is all planned—to make the young person comfortable and safe, then willing to share with the therapist.
Headspace Camperdown also includes well-equipped General Practitioner (GP) rooms to provide medical consultations in comfortable and functional surroundings. The room is set up to meet the clinical needs and provide a welcoming approach for the young people seeking help.
The design consists of a medical examination zone and other basic equipment for routine physical health assessment and minor treatments. Wall cabinets for storage provide the room with medical supplies and equipment.
Implementing Nature into Consultation Session
As shown in the photo above, the centre tends to merge nature into consultation spaces by decorating rooms with natural backdrop and potted plants in the GP room.
Similarly, there is a small setup in one of the consultation rooms that nurtures seeds under a simple grow light, which brings greenery into the space even in the absence of direct sunlight. Plants serve more than just an aesthetic purpose; research has shown they help reduce stress and make clinical environments appear softer and less intimidating8. This relaxes the room's clinical feel, making young people feel more supported. When they are nurturing a living plant, it gives young visitors a sense of purpose and builds up responsibility.
8. Sophia Shaw, “Gardening and Mental Health,” Sibbaldia:
Botanic
2.2 Bicentennial Park Overview
Bicentennial Park in Glebe, close to the Tramsheds in Sydney’s inner west, serves as a popular destination for recreation, leisure, and community gatherings. This foreshore park on Rozelle Bay is part of Glebe Foreshore Parks, which run along the harbour from Sydney Fish Market to the ANZAC Bridge.
The park was constructed in 1988 for the bicentennial anniversary of European settlement in Australia, as part of a broader program that developed commemorative areas across the nation9. The lands around Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay were previously utilized for heavy industry, shipping, and other uses that involved disposal. The early 20th century saw the area heavily polluted because of the wide usage for industries, shipping, and dumping of wastes, which resulted in severe environmental degradation10
In the 1970s and the 1980s, there also developed an awareness of the need to restore Sydney's urban waterfronts, which results in the renovation of Glebe Foreshore Parklands9. Community activism and ecological preservation became two of the drives that made local authorities start initiating plans for the rehabilitation of the foreshore areas.
It involved transforming the erstwhile industrial land into Bicentennial Park. Such a park would serve to shelter biodiversity, improve environmental quality, and be an oasis for recreation.
The development continued in several stages since 2004 and was proposed for further expansion to enhance Bicentennial Park’s amenity and ecological offerings.10
9. The Glebe Society, “Glebe’s Waterfront History – the Last 40 Years,” The Glebe Society, April 7, 2013, https://glebesociety.org.au/socialhistory/glebes-waterfront-history-the-last-40-years/. 10. City of Sydney , “History of Glebe Foreshore Parks,” City of Sydney, October 8, 2014, https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/histories-local-parks-playgrounds/history-glebe-foreshore-parks.
IMAGE 4 -Aerial view of Rozelle Bay and Jubilee Park Glebe City of Sydney Archive (1984)
Referring to the Master Plan published by the City of Sydney in 2013, there are a number of opportunities available for improving the accessibility, natural habitat and social engagement within the parklands.11
This includes improving the stormwater treatment within the parklands by utilizing natural topography. The contour of the parklands lends itself well to ecological functions, such as the building of additional estuarine habitats and areas for stormwater treatment. These would need to be weighed against the recreational imperatives of the parklands, since adding stormwater treatment features would cut down on open space availability. Building rock pools along the creek to host native habitat and retaining existing fig trees identified on Register of Significant trees.11
There are various recreational and community facilities in the parklands for active and passive recreation. These include sports programs such as cricket, hockey, and soccer are provided mainly in Federal and Bicentennial Parks and Jubilee Oval. In addition, many of these parks also support water-based recreation with facilities for kayaking, paddle boating, and dog walking along the waterfront.11
Community facilities currently within the parklands include the Jubilee Oval pavilion, amenities, and viaduct under-space for music rehearsal, equipment storage, and a sports kiosk. The future development of The Crescent and the new spaces opening at Harold Park will accommodate flexible, multi-use spaces that enhance active recreation within the parklands.11
11. City of Sydney, “Johnstons Creek Parklands Master Plan ” (City of Sydney, September 26, 2013).
IMAGE 5 -Bicentennial Park and Pope Paul VI Reserve Glebe Point Glebe, City of Sydney Archive (2005)
6 -Overlayed maps, domonstating opportunities and vegetation on site
- Master Plan - Principles and Strategies pg 24 & 33
IMAGE
Johnstons Creek Parklands
2.3 Environmental and Social Context of the Site
The parklands that surround Johnstons Creek, including Bicentennial Park, Jubilee Park, and Federal Park, offer an exciting combination of natural beauty with urban convenience and thus create one of the inner-west Sydney community's most critical green spaces.
Situated along the foreshore of Rozelle Bay in the Inner West of Sydney, the parklands are comprised of open green spaces, water habitat, and recreational areas for a large diversity of ecological and social needs.
Wetlands and rock pools are important habitats for birds and other wildlife, 11 great for stormwater management, and can act to improve water quality entering the bay. Restoration of the native vegetation and creation of saltmarsh habitat in part have substantially enhanced biodiversity in the park and represent a significant ecological community asset.
On the other hand, the parklands equate to an important meeting space between neighbourhoods; mainly for the Glebe community.
An internal network of footpaths and shade areas along the foreshore enables walking, jogging, and quiet contemplation, providing active and passive recreation options for residents. In addition to this, the parklands house community events, sporting activities, and informal exercises, offering ample opportunities for social contact, thereby helping develop a sense of community among the residents.
Overall, the northeasten end of the park is less activated compared to the rest. This also falls perfectly within the age bracket of the population that usually frequents this part of the neighborhood and therefore will be in order for the location.
SITE PLAN (NOT TO SCALE)
Existing Vegetation with Car Parks
The Rock Pools along Johnstons Creek
11. City of Sydney, “Johnstons Creek Parklands Master Plan ” (City of Sydney, September 26, 2013).
Site Visit on 4th August 2024 - Johnstons Creek Parklands
Analyzing different people on site by age group and activities
CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH
3.1 Use of Gardens in Therapy and Healing
Throughout history, gardens have been valued for their healing and therapeutic uses as outdoor spaces.10 Nature and gardens for therapeutic purposes are deeply rooted in historical practices, extending into contemporary healthcare approaches.
Gardens offer a therapeutic value made up of calming, natural environments in which benefits both emotional and physical well-being. Research carried by Roger Ulrich, proved that exposure to nature significantly lowers one's level of stress and helps recover from illness.12 Studies carried in 1984 proved that patients staying in ward with natural views recovered faster, required less pain medication, and were in much better moods than the others.12
Therapeutic gardens encourage holistic mental health by engaging the senses in psychological needs. They can include fragrant plants, soft textures, and flowing water to promote mindfulness and physically create a natural environment that is perceived as calm and relaxing. Integrating design elements - for example, natural views, walking loops, and sitting areas - does improve outcomes, increases satisfaction, and reduces stress for patients.13
While gardens amplify the therapeutic experience, it is also a space that is less clinical and one in which people can connect to nature, harness support, and center their healing on more comforting and informal ground. In this way, incorporating gardens into mental health facilities can create a balance of functionality and restoration.
12.“History of Hospital Outdoor Space,” in Therapeutic Landscapes : An Evidence-Based Approach
Gardens and Restorative Outdoor Spaces (Hoboken, New Jersey.: John Wiley & Sons, 2013), 6–13.
13. “Theory, Research, and Design Implications,” in Therapeutic Landscapes :
(Hoboken, New Jersey.: John Wiley & Sons, 2013), 14–35.
IMAGE 7 -Maggie’s Leeds Centre Heatherwick Studio (2020)
8.
Revitalization
"When my cold soul yearns for nourishment I visit new spring gardens where death and life dwell together I walk winding paths between decay and creation
As winter ends the sun warms my heart, mild breezes caress my spirit Sequined ripples on the pond wash away the shadows
Swooping hawks, chattering blackbirds, graceful herons nourish my imagination
Blooming trees, blossoming flowers awaken a dormant desire for being
I walk amidst life reborn
My soul refreshed"
Betsy Dolgin Katz, a Chicago Botanic Garden visitor June 2014 8
and Mental
The International Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture 13, no. 13 (November 10, 2015): 3–13, https://doi.org/10.24823/sibbaldia.2015.71.
Sophia Shaw, “Gardening
Health,” Sibbaldia:
IMAGE 8 -Le Cèdre Community & Youth Centre
Guillaume Ramillien Architecture (2021)
3.2 Therapeutic Benefits of Nature and Gardening
It has also been increasingly proven through scientific evidence and practical application that nature and gardening help improve mental and physical well-being.14
In the urban context, majority of people are living in cities, with limited access to nature. The ability to incorporate natural experiences into everyday life-either by direct exposure in green area spaces or by visual contact with natural elements contribute to a healthy living environment.15
Nature and Mental Health
The mental health benefits of being in nature are that even small exposures to natural scenes or window views of greenery can improve mood and lessen symptoms of anxiety. These effects become particularly helpful for people in the contemporary high-paced urban setting, as many citizens are faced with mental fatigue and stress. "Nature is a way out" - it offers space where relaxation may take place for restoration of mental energies.15
Eco-therapy and the Role of Gardening
Gardening can be a form of treatment in helping mentally unstable people recover and rehabilitate. Programs aimed at incorporating group gardening or horticultural therapy are widely in use today to support individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. By gardening, individuals practice physical activity, experience mindfulness, and develop a sense of responsibility for taking care of living things.16
Importance of Water and Visual Access to Nature
Other therapeutic landscape components, include the calming qualities of water. Individuals have long created their settlements along rivers, lakes, and coastlines as a part of a functional rationale but also for psychological advantages provided by the water.15 Indeed, research has indicated that being near water or even simply looking out at water can enhance mood, support the reduction of stress, and contribute to feelings of happiness.15 The inclusion of water features in the design of therapeutic gardens will introduce yet other elements of tranquility to create a thoroughly restorative experience. Where direct access to water is not possible, views toward nearby bodies of water or simple reflective elements provide benefit.
Given that most people now spend more than 80% of their time indoors, it is essential to include plants in public spaces, while creating internal green areas or install large window openings to create visual connection beteen human and nature.15
14. Richard Thompson, “Gardening for Health: A Regular Dose of Gardening,” Clinical Medicine 18, no. 3 (June 2018): 201–5, https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmedicine.18-3-201.
15. Ben Channon, “Nature,” in Happy by Design (London: RIBA Publishing, 2023), 52–67, https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032651897-5.
16. Yufei Qi et al., “School Gardening, Cooking and Sports Participation Intervention to Improve Fruits and Vegetables Intake and Moderate-To-Vigorous Physical Activity among Chinese Children: Study Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 21 (October 28, 2022): 14096, https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph192114096.
Encourage Outdoor Activities
Hands-On Gardening Experiences
3.3 The Recovering Model
The Empowerment Model of Recovery by Daniel Fisher offers a holistic approach to understanding and recovering from mental illness.17 This concept proposes that with the proper supports, coping techniques, and empowerment, people can totally recover from severe mental diseases like schizophrenia. The concept is cyclical and dynamic, understanding that recovery is a multi-stage process that includes emotional suffering, healing, and reintegration.
This model views recovery as a circular process. The movement within the stages is circular, depending on life circumstances and support one receives. Severe distress can become iterative given new trauma and stress.18 Individuals may revert to previous states, such as severe distress, but with appropriate support and gained coping skills, they are able to return to balance and continue with healing.
The flexibility of the model allows people to take life's ups and downs without feeling that if the new episodes of distress continue, then something has gone wrong. Instead, it allows one to hold setbacks as part of the growth processes. This thought can be so empowering because recovery is possible, resilience promotes this model, and the talent of the individual concerning his or her mental health management is noted.17
Healing does not occur as a single event but is maintained through regular therapy, self-reflection, and support generally from the society.17 In the model, emotional healing plays an important role in ensuring this balance in an individual to avoid relapsing into intense distress.
17: Daniel Fisher. “People Can Recover from Mental Illness - National Empowerment Center.” National Empowerment Center, January 26, 2017. https://power2u.org/people-can-recover-from-mental-illness/#. 18. Julie Repper and Rachel Perkins, Social Inclusion and Recovery a Model for Mental Health Pratice (Edingburgh [U.A.] Baillière Tindall [Erschienen, 2003).
Social Connection of Young People
Emotional healing is a continuous process, even after reaching a balanced state. People continue to process their past experiences, build resilience, and strengthen their coping skills.17
This study is calling for youth-friendly settings that bring primary healthcare providers, mental health specialists, and other community resources together.18 Such integrated care would ensure that young people receive comprehensive support to meet their diverse needs and align with the recovery model's focus on person-centered care.18
Protective factors, such as a supportive environment, play a powerful role in mitigating the risk of mental health disorders.17 These factors include a sense of connection, social support, and engaging parenting styles. Such supporting environments can prevent behavioral or emotional disorders, demonstrating the importance of community and familial support in promoting resilience.
This involves preventive strategies, which tries to engage youth in useful activities that would help young people to develop skills of decision-making, solve conflicts, and manage emotional states during free time. Accordingly, this community-based curriculum will provide help in enhancing life skills by reducing unhealthy behaviors, which flows well with the recovery model meetings in building life skills and resilience.18
Research carried out by the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, University of Malaya, showed that gardening activities enhance self-esteem and self-confidence, especially in group settings where relationships among members are established.16 Community gardens, for instance, provide a sense of place and social contact, both of which are important to mental health.
With community involvement, young people build bonds with members of the society, which enhance their healing process.
3.4 Precedent Studies
10 -Le Cèdre Community & Youth Centre Guillaume Ramillien Architecture (2021)
19. Guillaume Ramillien, “Le Cèdre Community & Youth Center / Guillaume Ramillien Architecture,” ArchDaily, July 29, 2022, https://www.archdaily.com/986127/le-cedre-community-and-youth-center-guillaume-ramillien-architecture?ad_medium=gallery.
IMAGE
Le Cèdre Community & Youth Centre (2021)
France, Guillaume Ramillien Architecture
Cèdre Community & Youth Center by Guillaume Ramillien Architecture fulfills the main requirements of a community center. The modernistic design of the building uses geometric shapes in bold form, with joists manufactured by sustainable material to deliver a modern, eco-friendly facility for the community.19 The interior space is flexible and adaptive, with the capability to change over and accommodate activities ranging from education, arts, sports, and social gatherings.19 It also focuses on outdoor interaction through sports courts, playgrounds, and landscaped gardens to carry out recreational activities and socialize. In this design, there are separate zones for different activities that ensure the main various needs of a community are met without interference.
Youth-Oriented Spaces
The design provide young people areas for sports, arts, and study, creating a sense of belonging and constructive outlets for energy and creativity.
Flexible Spaces
The interior is designed to be adaptable, with multi-purpose rooms that can be reconfigured for different activities and events.
Passive Design
Implementing passive design strategies, give natural ventilation and allow winter sun to enter the building.
Connecting with Nature
Allow visual connection to outdoor spaces. Provide spaces for recreation, resting, planting and gardening, which promote interaction among individuals.
Maggie’s Leeds Centre (2020)
United Kingdom, Heatherwick Studio
The Maggie's Leeds Centre, by Heatherwick Studio, explores a human-centered and biophilic approach to architecture aimed at supporting cancer patients and their families.20 Comprising three interconnecting pavilions of organic form and covered with plants, this building blends easily into natural landscapes. Used in design, sustainable materials like timber and, importantly, the mass of greenery engender a feeling of peacefulness and recovery within the patients. Large glass windows and skylights ensure ample natural light, making it bright and uplifting inside, with an open plan layout that encourages interaction within the community and unlocks flexible possible uses in one space. Interior spaces, like other Maggie's Centres, are organized into an open plan format where a large gathering dining table is placed at the heart of the Centre.
Warm and Welcoming Spaces
Emphasizes comfort with cozy furnishings, natural materials, and curated artworks, create a homely and inviting atmosphere.
Zoning
for Privacy and Interaction
An open plan layout encourages community, while private consultation rooms and quiet areas maintain the privacy and needs of visitors.
Gardens
Visitors are encouraged to participate in the care of the 23,000 bulbs and 17,000 plants on site.20 This deepens the nature connection and enhances therapy.
Natural Light and Ventilation
The large glazing and openings allow plenty of daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Healing
ArchDaily, July 24, 2021, https://www.archdaily.com/941540/maggies-leeds-centre-heatherwick-studio?ad_medium=gallery.
20. Heatherwick Studio, “Maggie’s Leeds Centre / Heatherwick Studio,”
IMAGE 11 -Maggie’s Leeds Centre, United Kingdom Heatherwick Studio (2020)
Yutjuwala Djiwarr – Nhulunbuy Flexible Aged Care Facility is located on Yolŋu Country in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory. This new 32-bed aged care centre includes a 4-chair dialysis unit, designed to support the Yolŋu Elders of East Arnhem Land.21 The facility's design reflects the deep connection between the Elders and their Country. Through extended collaboration and participatory design, the centre fuses deep tradition—the best of Yolŋu value—with the contemporary imperatives of aged care to provide a home for Elders to live into later years, to continue to lead their cultural lives, and pass away on their homeland.21
Zoning for Cultural and Spatial Appropriateness
The rooms are in a palm frond structure, separated by gardens and verandas, allowing cross-ventilation, outdoor access, and visual connections with the land. It is a culturally adaptive design that allows flexible groupings, respecting cultural protocols of the Yolŋu.21
Connection to Country
Use locally sourced timber from the Gumatj Corporation mill which is Aboriginal owned and operated. Create patterns on fences that express local artwork.
Natural Light and Ventilation
Each bedroom has multiple views to the outside, ensuring natural light and airflow, minimizing the need for air conditioning.
Landscaping for Cultural Meaning
The surrounding landscape, planned in collaboration with the Yolŋu community, is planted with native species grown from seeds collected on Country.21 These plants hold cultural significance and contribute to the centre’s role as a place of living culture.
Collage 2 - The Healing Hug from Nature
CHAPTER 4
DESIGN CONCEPT
4.1 User Analysis and Experiences
In Australia, mental health problems are fairly common among young people, studies carried out by the Lacent noted that 1 in 7 children had experienced a mental illness, with 27% of individuals aged 18–24 suffering from mental health challenges.22
The target users for the headspace mental support facilities are adolescents between 12 and 25 years old. This age group is chosen because adolescence and early adulthood are critical periods for mental health development. Allows the provision of a setting that caters to the specific emotional, social, and developmental needs of young people that arise in their life course, thereby potentially reducing the burden of mental health problems in later life.5 Besides the young users, it is essential to consider the needs and circulation of each key group: headspace staffs, general practitioners, family/friends of the users and members of the community.
Headspace Users
Headspace targets teenage and young adult audiences who seek help with their mental health. The circulation differs depending on the type of service being provided, ranging from one-on-one therapy to GP services; they will directly proceed into private consultation or examination rooms that ensure privacy. In group activities, the participants circulate to large multi-purpose rooms and outdoor garden areas for the conduct of arts, crafts, gardening, and cooking sessions. These areas facilitate social interaction and therapeutic engagement.
Community Members
Members of the community, who might not necessarily be regular clients of headspace, have a limited but very important presence in the facility. Their movement is generally within the communal areas where group public activities, workshops, and educational sessions are conducted, such as arts rooms, gardening areas, and cooking areas. Their access is usually confined to the areas of activity to enable community interaction without compromising the privacy of therapeutic areas.
General Practitioner
Medical support comes mainly through direct consultations in the facility. GP staff circulate in core clinical areas such as examination rooms, consultation offices, and GP dedicated areas. These have been located, where possible, in quieter areas to provide privacy and confidentiality for medical consultations.
Headspace Workers
Staff members' flow in headspace is more versatile, considering that counselors and therapists have different roles from all other administrative workers. This is reflected in their flow within the facility, both private and shared. For example, though they offer one-on-one and group counseling in separate rooms, support for online consultations occurs in office spaces to conduct virtual-meeting sessions.
Users' Family &/ Friends
To create a supportive and welcoming environment, include waiting areas for individuals accompanying the users, such as family members, friends, or caregivers.
22. Vikram Patel et al., “Mental Health of Young People: A Global Public-Health Challenge,” Child: Care, Health and Development 33, no. 5 (September 2007): 647–48, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.13652214.2007.00778_2.x.
Phase 1 Circulation Diagram
This diagram outlines the programs for the proposed mental health facility and explores the circulation of users on-site.
ENCOUNTER
Merging into Nature:
Visitors entering the facility will be surrounded by nature and experience an immersive multi-sensory experience through the building. The vibrant landscape views, combined with flora smells and soothing sounds, creates a therapeutic experience that invites exploration through garden spaces.
Seasonal Experiences:
The garden layout is designed to enable individuals to explore at different weather conditions and seasons, ensuring that there is always a perfect spot to enjoy each day.
ENGAGE
Shared Experiences:
The therapeutic quiet garden to encounter their thoughts space. one can relate their encourages self-awareness Promote sustained engagement process.
Community Involvement:
The communal aspects of connections and a sense inclusion in society. This model’s emphasis on community critical component of healing.
ENGAGE EVOLVE
Supportive Environment:
garden allows individuals thoughts and feelings in a safe their expirences with another, self-awareness and acceptance. engagement in the recovery the garden promote social of belonging, essential for This aligns with the recovery community participation as a healing.
The community garden is designed to promote interactions among participants. Regular group activities in the garden pushes ongoing engagement. These activities reduce feelings of isolation, build bonds between individuals hence fostering social connections.
Natural Healing Cycles:
The design of the garden encourages ongoing development and growth, participants can witness the transformation of plants, mirroring their growth and healing. As individuals interact with the garden, they can cultivate skills, build resilience, and foster a greater sense of self-awareness.
4.2 Program Development
Besides offering mental health consultation, this proposal includes community-oriented therapeutic activities to promote social interventions. The centre should be designed with areas for different therapeutic activities: gardening, cooking, and workshops for art and craft. Each space serves a unique purpose, promoting emotional healing, social connection, and personal growth.
Cooking Program
The communal kitchen lies at the very center of the cooking program; appliances are provided wherein people can learn to cook and bake. The kitchen has a supporting back-of-house area with storage rooms for fruits and vegetables grown in the community garden. This setup promotes a farm-to-table approach, reinforcing the connection between gardening and cooking and encouraging sustainable practices. The indoor and outdoor dining areas gives flexibility and adds connection with nature. This is where members of the community can volunteer and host events to celebrate special occasions.
Art and Craft Program
The art and craft program will be conducted in workshop studios where the users can create, using natural materials collected from gardens within the facility. Flowers and plants grown on site will be used during these art classes, activities include floral arrangements, terrarium kaing, and dry flower art. The linkage of the gardens with the art workshops strengthens the therapeutic experience by merging users with nature while boosting their creativity. It is also encouraged that they take their artwork home to give a long-lasting reminder of their achievements and the skills they developed, thereby reinforcing their connection with the Headspace community and its therapeutic goals.
Flexible spaces for Market/Artwork Exhibition
The flexible space is used for hosting markets,displaying user artwork, or exhibitions of various kinds. It also provides an opportunity for social interaction that users, staff, and the community come together to appreciate the creativity and hard work of participants. In providing a chance to share successes, this adaptive space reinforces positive self-expression and helps build confidence in the residents while supporting the reinforcing therapeutic environment of the facility.
4.3 Division of Garden Zones
A key element of the project is the application of biophilic design, which involves the use of natural elements to enhance the space for more comforting and inviting environments.23 In this proposal, there are 5 garden layouts within the facility to integrate nature into different spaces.
23. Terry Peters, Design for Health : Sustainable Approaches to Therapeutic Architecture (London: Wiley, 2017).
1. RAIN GARDEN
This garden utilizes the exsiting topography of the site to create a stormwater rain garden at the front of the facility. Its primary function is to manage andfilter stormwater runoff, preventing erosion and improving water quality, while also providing a lush, attractive landscape.
2. SENSORY GARDENS
Located within the centre courtyard, these gardens are designed to engage all five senses through plants, textures, and sounds, offering participants a multi-sensory therapeutic experience. Include plants such as lavender and frangipani.
3. POCKET GARDENS
The pocket gardens are green spaces inserted between the therapy space, which provide a better connection between people and nature. Having natural views may also makes conversations less stressful.
4. THERAPEUTIC QUIET GARDEN
This space is dedicated to providing a serene, private area for individuals. With dense vegetation on site, allow peaceful retreat for reflection and healing.
5. COMMUNITY GARDEN
Besides traditional farming, this garden area includes features designed for people with limited mobility, such as raised garden beds for easy access. Incorporate native plants like finger limes, warrigal greens, and lemon myrtle.
CHAPTER 5
FINAL PROPOSAL
5.1 Arrival
The "Bloom Well" project will be located in Bicentennial Park East, taking full advantage of the site's natural topography and scenic beauty. This location was selected as it is close to the Glebe community, having great waterfront view of the Rozelle Bay. There is also sufficient parking available, with easy public access by bus. By merging outdoor garden zones with indoor activity spaces, the design brings nature directly into the building's surroundings.
ROZELLEBAY NORTHCOTERD
FEDERALRD
Morning Breeze
1:250 EAST ELEVATION - ARRIVAL VIEW (FOOTPATH)
Avoid overlooking Provide outdoor gathering space
1:250 NORT HELEVATION - ENTRY VIEW (WATERFRONT)
The Glebe Community Art and Craft Workshop Flexi Space
Two protected fig trees on site
Surrounded by plants, large glazing Covered decking for outdoor gathering
The Glebe Community Driveway and Car Parks Staff Zones Pocket Garden
Art and Craft Workshop Flexi Space
Artwork painted on walls to attrack attention
Space for hosting events, with covered decking for outdoor gathering
Communal Kitchen
Brick structure for cooking and dining
Reception and Waiting Zone
headspace reception, associated with staff rooms
Community Garden
Bicentennial Park
5.2 Spatial Layout
A long corridor connects the various rooms;besides interior circulation, it also serve as waiting area for therapy sessions. Stone-paced paths in the central courtyard adds to exterior circulation, guiding the users toward different garden zones. These will ensure smooth transitions between indoors and outdoors, providing opportunities for engagement with nature between therapy sessions. This immersive layout allows individuals to flow between public to private space, ensuring they are enveloped by nature.
HEADSPACE
STAFF ART THERAPY
COMMUNITY
Divide the building complex into various zones dedicated to different uses.
Allow cross ventilation and establish a visual connection between users and nature on the site, avoid overlooking.
KITCHEN
SHARED KITCHEN RENDER
CORRIDOR RENDER
Utilize the site boundary to create various garden zones, ranging from open planting areas to atrium spaces.
Establish double corridors to give more convenient circulation, extra glazing to allow winter sun to enter shared space.
ART WORKSHOP RENDER
PRIVATE THERAPY RENDER
1:300 SECTION A
Bicentennial Park
1:300 SECTION B
Communal Kitchen General Practitioner Space
and Craft Room Sensory Garden
Art
The Glebe Community
Bicentennial Park
Rain Garden
Quiet Garden
Therapy Room
Waterfront Path Rozelle Bay
Sensory Garden
5.3 Seasonal Experience
The changing seasons, create unique views throughout the year, ensuring that there is always a perfect spot for one to enjoy. Here, young people can meditate, find inner peace and reconnect with local communities.
Spring
Spring is a time when the area is filled with fresh greenery and sprouting flowers, symbolizing growth and new life.
Summer
Summer brings the garden to life—a lively vitality emanating from every corner, creating bright and engaging areas for social interaction and community.
Autumn
Autumn brings a palette of warm colors, encouraging introspective reflection amidst a world of falling leaves.
Winter
Winter wraps a silent blanket around the garden, offering quiet moments of reflection and peacefulness.
Here, young people are empowered to care for their inner lives and find the support they need to lead fulfilling lives. Bloom Whale embodies the healing power of nature, providing a dynamic, nurturing environment that fosters resilience, growth, and personal transformation throughout the year.
Spring illustration - view of the sensory garden
Autumn illustration - view of the community
Summer illustration - view of the rain garden next to the activity room
Winter illustration - view ofthe pocket garden from the street
garden on a rainy day
community garden on harvest day
5.4 Physical Model
Waterfront view from Rozelle Bay
Reception and waterfront Path
Group Therapy Rooms next to Community Garden
Car park next to Art and Craft Rooms
Private Therapy Rooms and Pocket Garden
CHAPTER 6
CONCLUSION
Physical Model - Entry from Community Garden
In conclusiton, the "Bloom Well" project is more than just a mental health facility it is a natural healing space where young people can flourish. This project is a testament to the profound connection between our environment and mental well-being, unfolding as a living narrative shaped by each individual’s journey. Through interactions with the therapeutic garden, young people find a space for personal reflection, healing, and recovery. Here, young people are empowered to cultivate their mental well-being and find the support they need to lead fulfilling lives.
Camperdown, headspace. “Community Engagement in Headspace Camperdown by Headspace Hub.” Spotify for Podcasters, 2024. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/headspacecamperdown/episodes/Community-Engagement-in-headspace-Camperdown-e2fdsc8..
Channon, Ben. “Nature.” In Happy by Design, 52–67. London: RIBA Publishing, 2023. https://doi. org/10.4324/9781032651897-5.
City of Sydney. “Johnstons Creek Parklands Master Plan .” City of Sydney, September 26, 2013.
City of Sydney . “History of Glebe Foreshore Parks.” City of Sydney, October 8, 2014. https://www. cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/histories-local-parks-playgrounds/history-glebe-foreshore-parks.
Daniel Fisher. “People Can Recover from Mental Illness - National Empowerment Center.” National Empowerment Center, January 26, 2017. https://power2u.org/people-can-recover-frommental-illness/#.
Davidson, Larry, Michael Rowe, and Martha Staeheli Lawless. A Practical Guide to Recovery-Oriented Practice : Tools for Transforming Mental Health Care. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Guillaume Ramillien. “Le Cèdre Community & Youth Center / Guillaume Ramillien Architecture.” ArchDaily, July 29, 2022. https://www.archdaily.com/986127/le-cedre-community-and-you th-center-guillaume-ramillien-architecture?ad_medium=gallery.
headspace. “Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation.” Headspace, 2023. https://head space.org.au/.
headspace Camperdown. “Information Pack for Young People,” 2022. https://headspace.org.au/as sets/Uploads/Centres/Camperdown/Information-pack-for-young-people-2022-v2.pdf.
Heatherwick Studio. “Maggie’s Leeds Centre / Heatherwick Studio.” ArchDaily, July 24, 2021. https://www.archdaily.com/941540/maggies-leeds-centre-heatherwick-studio?ad_medi um=gallery.
“History of Hospital Outdoor Space.” In Therapeutic Landscapes : An Evidence-Based Approach to Designing Healing Gardens and Restorative Outdoor Spaces, 6–13. Hoboken, New Jersey.: John Wiley & Sons, 2013.
Patel, Vikram, Sarah Hetrick, Patrick McGorry, and Alan J. Flisher. “Mental Health of Young People: A Global Public-Health Challenge.” Child: Care, Health and Development 33, no. 5 (September 2007): 647–48. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2007.00778_2.x.
Peters, Terry. Design for Health : Sustainable Approaches to Therapeutic Architecture. London: Wi ley, 2017.
Qi, Yufei, Siyu Rong, Kunlong Liao, Jiaqi Huo, Qian Lin, and Sareena Hanim Hamzah. “School Garde ning, Cooking and Sports Participation Intervention to Improve Fruits and Vegetables Intake and Moderate-To-Vigorous Physical Activity among Chinese Children: Study Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 21 (October 28, 2022): 14096. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19211409 6.
Repper, Julie, and Rachel Perkins. Social Inclusion and Recovery a Model for Mental Health Pratice Edingburgh [U.A.] Baillière Tindall Erschienen, 2003.
Shaw, Sophia. “Gardening and Mental Health.” Sibbaldia: The International Journal of Botanic Gar den Horticulture 13, no. 13 (November 10, 2015): 3–13. https://doi.org/10.24823/ sibbald ia.2015.71.
The Glebe Society. “Glebe’s Waterfront History – the Last 40 Years.” The Glebe Society, April 7, 2013. https://glebesociety.org.au/socialhistory/glebes-waterfront-history-the-last-40-years/.
“Theory, Research, and Design Implications.” In Therapeutic Landscapes : An Evidence-Based Ap proach to Designing Healing Gardens and Restorative Outdoor Spaces, 14–35. Hoboken, New Jersey.: John Wiley & Sons, 2013.
Thompson, Richard. “Gardening for Health: A Regular Dose of Gardening.” Clinical Medicine 18, no. 3 (June 2018): 201–5. https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmedicine.18-3-201.
World Health Organization. “Mental Health of Adolescents.” World Health Organization. World Health Organization, October 10, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/de tail/adolescent-mental-health.
Image Citation
Image 1: Getty Images, iStock. “Contemporary Art Collage. Conceptual Image. Young Woman Lyi ng,...” iStock. master1305, October 21, 2022. https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/contem porary-art-collage-conceptual-image-young-woman-lying-sleeping-feeling-tiredgm1434968997-476443010.
Image 2: ArchitectureAu. “Brain and Mind Research Institute.” ArchitectureAu. John Gollings, 2024. https://architectureau.com/articles/brain-and-mind-research-institute/#img-0.
Image 4: City of Sydney Archive. “Aerial View of Rozelle Bay and Jubilee Park Glebe, circa 1984.” City of Sydney Archives, 1984. https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/57 7074?keywords=A-00018448&whole=1&highlights=WyJBLTAwMDE4NDQ4Il0%3D.
Image 5: Maureen Sharpe. “Bicentennial Park and Pope Paul vi Reserve Glebe Point Glebe.” City of Sydney Archives, February 1, 2005. https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view /1893209.
Image 6: City of Sydney. “Johnstons Creek Parklands Master Plan .” City of Sydney, September 26, 2013.
