Presentation Board
Disconnect to Reconnect
Into The Wood Depression Treatment Center
According to the National Health & Morbidity survey in 2017, 29% of Malaysians suffered from depression and anxiety disorders as compared with 12% in 2011. It is said that depression will be a major mental health illness among Malaysian by 2020 as more people are expected to experience increased stress due to work and family pressure. This centre aims to provide a holistic solution not only from the medical perspective but of spirituality being a key component, highlighting the critical importance of the recovery model focusing on empowerment, autonomy, and right-based approach.
Front Facade - Wooden materials are applied to the walls of the facade, giving people a sense of security and closeness to nature. It makes the building feel warm and comfortable and has a calming effect. As a first impression, it helps alleviate patient’s tension about the treatment center, allowing them to be more relax and recover soon.
Reception - Stepping into a bright and generously spacious airy reception can bring a positive vibe due to the sense of relaxation the ambiance impart. A full-height wooden backdrop with lighting strips enhances the high volume of space. Together with the falling leaves chandelier and bird hook decorations, it increases the feeling of calm and comfort by incorporating nature as part of the design identity.
Discussion Area - An area for visitors to have a small discussion or briefing with the staff. It is designed as a living room-like space to reduce tension before approaching the treatment program.
Indoor Garden / Lounge - The area reflects the concept through circulation by connecting all the therapy program rooms to create a healing place full of warmth and hope. It is not only designed as a lounge for carers but also as a social place for patients to share their experiences with each other. Encouraging them to engage in social activities is one way to help them recover from depression. The indoor garden utilizes the high ceiling and the use of direct and indirect nature to achieve a stress-relieving effect. The tree of life shows a new beginning and vitality together with the bird chandelier flying upward, symbolically represent freedom and liberation.
Counseling Room - In the room, there will be a one-to-one section with the therapist to develop a personalized mental health treatment plan as a basis for an effective therapy. A simple design was proposed to create a place with few distractions so that patients can focus more on the consultation part.
Natural Remedies Exhibition - The exhibition area collaborates with Young Living to showcase essential oils and herbal supplements, which help to enhance biological healing, thereby speeding up the healing process. There are information displays on the walls, as well as some essential oil product displays. The area uses natural lighting and some other nature elements to create a more appealing and alive atmosphere.
Natural Therapy - Exposure to nature can be used to promote well-being. It soothes the worried parts of the brain into thinking less and relaxing more through various garden-related activities, such as digging soil, planting seedlings, and trimming leaves. Green textured paint is used on the interior walls to bring life into the area and create a healing and calming effect. Besides, the blurring of interior and exterior boundaries with sliding glass doors allows nature therapy to work with all senses to elevate mood.
Tea House - It acts as a recreation area for people to drink tea while waiting. It also promotes different varieties of tea to help reduce stress and anxiety. Visitors can experience tea rituals as a way of relaxation. The choice of landscape wallpaper and earth-tone materials is used to create a feeling of calm and serenity. Besides, adding some hanging potted plant at the existing column help to reduce stress level and improve indoor air quality.
Waiting Area - A semi-private area designed for the massage and acupuncture therapy. It is an area that brings pure relaxation. Therefore, visually calming colours, nature materials, soft lighting, and greenery are used to create a harmonious and tranquil ambiance.
Massage Room - The massage room is designed with an individual changing room separating by a dense curtain. The room incorporates earthy tones, daylighting, and green scenery to mimic the natural world.
Sand Therapy - The treatment area is separated by a full-height glass partition and sliding curtain to provide a visually more spacious and flexible space while still providing some privacy. Besides, there is a sand pool in the middle of the space for people to walk barefoot and some pebble stone seats for rest. It is almost like a foot massage that help improves the overall mental health and fights depression.
Yoga Therapy - Yoga comprises a wide range of mind, spirit, and body practices, from posture and breathing exercises to deep relaxation and meditation. The glass hall subtly divide the space while still bringing in the external green landscape and tons of sunlight into the area to enhance additional mental and physical health benefits. Patients can enjoy the view surrounding, providing a soothing sensation to the eyes and brains.
Art Therapy - Art therapy encourages patients to express their opinions through art. The space is essentially a private place that can create a sense of closure, safety, undisturbed, calm and reflection. There are two areas, divided using different floor and ceiling materials. One of the area is designed for individual activity with easel provided, while the other area encourages people to engage in social activity.
Music Therapy - This is another way to express inner emotions through various music-related activities. The area equipped with simple musical instruments including keyboard, guitars and microphones. There are several spaces with different functions in the room, including a built-in seating area for people to rest while enjoying music, a small stage for simple music band performances, and the main part in the middle for music sharing and socializing.
