Huey Jean Tan

As the broader theme of this studio is PTSD, topics of bodily dissociation was a key focus in the beginning stages of the project. Exploring the emotions and experiences of survivors of childhood sexual trauma helped shape and understanding of the importance of embodiment in coping with overwhelming sensations and memories.

Trauma can often manifest into other disorders such as eating disorders, to control or distract oneself from intense emotions. This project is designed to be a residential treatment centre for young women with eating disorders with a recovery plan oriented around mind-body connection and feels of agency.

The architectural intervention used to complement this treatment plan, was using flexible elements and sensory experiences. Developing feelings of control and bodily connection allows for introspection and emotional communication. This reduces the need for harmful coping or numbing mechanisms. Flexible elements such as privacy curtains, operable doors and movable furnishing helps clients feel a sense of agency over their environment. As well as that, sensory experiences created by a lush, scented courtyard and tactile wall claddings helps to improve mind-body connection.