Subjugating Loneliness
Dynamic Oasis
Part I .
SITE IMMERSION OBSERVATION & ANALYSIS
Site Immersion
Site: Marine Drive Residence, UBC
Desicrption: Chosen sight is located at the open lawn area surrounded by residence builings in Marine Drive. The site is flat with no huge vegetations. The area was lack of usage, the space is deserted, which immediately exacerbate the sense of loneliness.
Base Plan
Sections
Perspective
Site Observation and Analysis
3D cube method: showing the soil components, drainage, precipitation, ground condition, sunshine and flow of predestrian.
Multi-sensory evaluation: Lack off smell, taste and sound
Record of feeling: Loney, Calm, Frustrated, Variable
Record of materials: Hardscape in majority
Record of shapes and form of space: Mostly rectangular and formal
Record of plants: Deciduous and evergreen mix, small tress small shrubs.
Record of drainage and soil: Huge infiltration and rainwater runoff into the site
Record of sunlight: Medium shade
Record of pedestrican flow: Dense (black)
Record of noice: even background noice, a sudden change in amplitude
Record of air quality: smell of grass
Record of wind: breeze seeping through between buildings, convection wind.
Part II
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Preliminary Design Stage
Context Plan
Health Issue Research
- The findings of the intervention studies clearly indicate that physical activity programs can contribute to a reduction in loneliness. (F. Pels and J. Kleinert, 2016)
- Contextual social support gained in the context of physical activity might simply moderate the strength of the influence of physical activity on loneliness; global social support, on the other hand, might be increased by physical activity (which, in turn, decreases loneliness: mediator effect) as physical activity is associated with social competence. (Haugen et al., 2013)
- Researchers have also reported that psychological benefits
accrue from living with animals. These include studies
showing that pet owners have higher self-esteem, more positive
moods, more ambition, greater life satisfaction, and lower
levels of loneliness (El-Alayli, Lystad, Webb, Hollingsworth,
& Ciolli, 2006). - “Pets have been shown to lower blood pressure,8 decrease allergies in children, calm or prevent panic attacks,10 and overall encourage movement and wellness” (P, Conlon, NCC, 2020)
- Research from University of Carlifornia has made strong links between lack of sleep and loneliness. In a test between well-rested people and people who suffered from sleep the later keep people approaching them at a distance up to 60% further away.
Conclusion: The most effective way of healing lonliness are interaction with animal, meditation, rest and exercise.
Concept Diagram
Design elements: Create spaces for people to exercise, interact with pets, and meditate.
Imaginary feeling of the design
Initial Garden Shape and Form development
Different layout that link elements.
Evaluate the possibilities
Imaginary Human Activities in the garden
Schematic Design (First Trial)
Design Option 1: Rectangular plan
Design option II: Circular plan
Option I Schematic Plans, Sections and Perspectives
Option II Schematic Plans, Sections and Perspectives
Schematic Design and Detailed Design
Schematic Design (Iterations)
Evaluation of first iteration: Criterion was set up, option II was chosen to further develop
Second iteration: Evaluation and concerns
Third iteration: Evaluation and concerns
Forth iteration: Evaluation and concerns
Fifth iteration: Evaluation and concerns
Final iteration: Evaluation and concerns
Finalized Schematic Plan
Expectations through perspectives
Part III
Detailed Design and Outcome
Refined Concept Statement
The problem of loneliness and academic stress is prevalent among students at UBC. The garden design aims to address this issue by providing a peaceful and healing space for individuals to rest, meditate, and exercise. The garden will feature a carefully selected variety of healing plants that create a calming and soothing environment for its users. The objectives of the garden design are to promote physical and mental well-being, community building, and personal growth. The design aims to offer a sanctuary that fosters a sense of connection, belonging, and healing for all who use it. The garden will encourage social interaction and provide a space for individuals to build meaningful connections, ultimately improving their overall well-being and academic success.
Detailed Site Plan
Detailed Sections
Plant Research
The study also found that inhaling three drops of lavender every 8hours for 4 weeks prevented stress, anxiety, and depression. (Europe PMC 2006)
Research suggests that it may be useful for treating anxiety, insomnia, depression, and restlessness. (Medical News Today 2019)
Researchers found that rosemary and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil sachets had the ability to decrease test-taking stress in nursing students. The reduction in stress was measured through scores of test anxiety, personal statements, and pulse rate.
A trial involving university students discovered that rosemary supplementation reduced anxiety and depression and improved sleep scores. After 1 month of administration, the students’ anxiety scores improved by 18% while depression scores improved by 9%. The sleep scores improved by 14%. (P. Nematolahi, M. Mehrabani, S.Karami-Mohajeri, F. Dabaghzadeh 2017)
Conclusion: Lavender and rosemary are key plants that their characteristics could heal stress and anxiety which is helpful in coping with loneliness.
Planting Design Considerations:
- Ensure plants receive sufficient sunlight, preferred partly shade or fully shade
- Good drainage is required because of large amount of infiltration from the openness of area.
- Mix combinations with evergreen and deciduous such that there is something to look at in both summer and winter.
- Plants can be act as a screen to provide privacy for meditation
- Plants that emit fragrant
- Plants should be comfy and peacful.
Plant List
Planting Plan
Material and plant pallete
Visualisations
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
