Tectonic Therapy

Design Brief:

Tectonic Therapy will be the culmination of the previous seven weeks and will require you to diligently and methodically advance your work while tackling new conceptual ideas and program requirements. For your final design, you will create a space focused on therapeutic release, providing accommodation for up to four people to reside on-site. Additionally, the space will need to support therapeutic sessions for up to ten people, including both group and one-on-one sessions. Your design should thoughtfully integrate the principles of therapeutic architecture, balancing spatial experience with functionality to create an environment conducive to healing and personal growth.

Objectives:

The student will demonstrate the ability to design a therapeutic space that accommodates both residential and group therapy needs, incorporating functional spaces for up to four residents and ten therapy participants. The student will apply principles of tectonic design, exploring the relationship between materials, form, and structure, to create a healing environment that is both functional and expressive. The design will reflect a thoughtful integration of program requirements, conceptual ideas, and user experience, while showcasing proficiency in spatial organization, design communication, and problem-solving skills.

Grading:

Rigor, Iteration & Investigation: 10%

Students will demonstrate a willingness to practice the craft of exhaustive exploration.

Design Communication: 50%

Students will be able to professionally communicate by writing, speaking and creating clear and accurate presentation graphics and architectural orthographic drawings.

Design Process: 40%

Student will be able to develop projects and problem solve using the iterative design processes.

Deliverables:

Develop & complete the following:

Week 8: Site & Mass

  • Drafted and printed site plan and (2) site sections @ no smaller than 1/32” = 1’.

    • These should include placement of your previous two projects and a path between.

  • (3) Site diagrams that identify key areas of interest, potential direction of path for all three projects (circulation), and one diagram of your choice.

  • Create (3) three unique parti diagrams that relate to site and tectonic concepts, site and site requirements

  • Develop (3) three unique massing models that relate to parti, site and tectonic concepts.

    • These massing models should be loose constructions that are built to show division of space and tectonics.

    • There should be a consideration of site and path.

Week 9: Space

  • Plan drawings

  • (2) Sections w/ site and entourage

  • (2) Elevations w/ site and entourage

  • (2) Two diagrams of your project so far.

  • Tectonic statement identify the importance of these spaces.

  • EXTRA CREDIT:

    • Using one or a combination of massing models use your tectonic language to develop a series of post digital renderings.

    • (2) Two renderings from a primary interior space.

    • (2) Two renderings from a primary external space.

Week 10 to Week 11: Section

  • From your previous work, generate an architectural design set of drawings. These drawings should demonstrate a clear tectonic language and effectively convey the relationship between materials, structure, and form. The set should highlight the integration of functional spaces with expressive design elements, showcasing thoughtful use of construction methods, materiality, and spatial organization. Each drawing should reinforce the concept of the design while illustrating its practical application and overall coherence.

    • Plan

    • (2) Sections

    • (2) Elevations

    • (1) Site Plan

    • (1) 1/2” = 1’ Wall Section

    • (2) Diagrams

    • (2) Renerderings

    • Tectonic Statement

Week 12 to Week 13: Pre-Review

  • Over the next week and a half, you will refine and improve upon your previously presented work. This should include enhancing all items from the past three weeks and must include, at a minimum, the following:

    • All drawings completed with appropriate line weights, context (site), and entourage.

    • A composition that demonstrates a clear design intent and strategy.

    • Clear and accurate labeling of all elements in the drawings.

  • Your updated work should reflect a deeper understanding of your tectonic concept and an improved presentation of both functional and aesthetic considerations.

Project Programs:

Retreat:

  • Entry & Intake: 150 sq. ft.

  • Single Therapy: 100 sq. ft.

  • Group Therapy: 120 - 150 sq. ft.

  • Living, Dining, Media, Kitchen Space: 500 sq. ft.

  • Bedrooms (3 to 4): 100 sq. ft. + 45 sq. ft. Bathroom

  • Public Bathroom: 45 sq. ft.

  • Storage: 100 sq. ft. combined through whole building

  • Gathering Space: 200 sq. ft.

  • Circulation: 200 sq. ft. combined with program

  • External Space: 400 sq. ft.

  • External Landscaping: TBD

  • Path Connecting Site: TBD

Approximate Total: 1800sq. ft. no including external spaces