Designing for well-being: Exploring the relationship between architecture and mental health

Although not completely dependent on each other, the relationship between architecture and mental health is an important topic because designers and architects can contribute to creating more enjoyable environments for everyone. From strategies to enhance mental health in shared workspaces to how architecture can contribute to preventing cognitive decline, understanding the potential impact of environmental neuroscience and how it can be applied to architecture will help us It is an essential skill for the profession.
To celebrate World Mental Health Day, we are publishing an editorial that delves into the interesting interplay between architecture and mental health, as well as a series of projects that showcase solutions created in response to these challenges in a practical way. I collected it. The selection aims to provide insight into how the spaces we live in, from work and home to specialized health and care centres, affect us. Additionally, psychological issues are discussed at different scales in relation to different typologies, and selected projects serve as case studies for further exploration.
Read a selection of editorial articles that explore the multifaceted relationship between architecture and mental well-being, along with surveys of architectural projects that translate this relationship into architectural spaces.
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Architectural projects that support mental health
Casa Verde Care Home for Young Women for Mental Health / LDA.iMdA Architetti Association

My House – Mental Health House / Austin Maynard Architects

Psychiatric Center / Vayo + Irigaray Architects + Galar + Bellas

Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Architecture Office

Residential and Day Center for the Mentally Disabled / Aldayjover Arquitectura y Paisaje

House of Silence / Natura Futura Arquitectura

Snohetta Paris designs new French asylum court to inspire security in Montreuil

Nuuk Psychiatric Clinic design by White Architects emphasizes naturalness in mental health design

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on October 10, 2023.