The idea of regenerative spaces – spaces that heal – is at the centre of this project. Throughout the history of architecture, it has been proposed that spaces can be designed to inspire, change or challenge behaviour and to shift the experience of users. Meanwhile, the ‘psy-’ sciences (such as psychology, psychoanalysis, psychiatry) have always held that the position and place of therapy is a core part of the process; there is an intimate relation between who we are and where we are.
The site is located at Tramsheds, Glebe Foreshore Parks on Rozelle Bay and the old ‘Harold Park Paceway’ precinct in Forest Lodge/Annandale, the project itself involves creating a space for Headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation. Though the brief has a very real focus on creating spaces for a Youth Community Mental Health service with an age range of 12 to 25, it also maintains a speculative, exploratory and experimental spirit by challenging the way we think about mental spaces and physical places alike. Overall, the project asks how the transformation of a building might help to shape or support regeneration, health, wellbeing and healing. Drawing on key concepts in current mental health policy and strategies, considerations centre on user experience, with a particular emphasis on the ability to describe a journey through the building.
