Architectural wholeness and its place in psychiatric healthcare

Abstract

In The Nature of Order mathematician turned architect Christopher Alexander presents a comprehensive theory of architecture that intertwines science, philosophy, and art to articulate a vision of design grounded in the timeless and universal principles of life and beauty. He argues that the quality of the built environment profoundly impacts human well-being and proposes a new way of creating spaces that foster harmony and vitality through patterns, wholeness, and the pursuit of ‘living structure’. This study aims to explore that theory and put into practice the design principles developed by Christopher Alexander and investigate its usefulness in dealing with the design of psychiatric health care centres. The study makes use of the ‘research by design’ methodology created by Rob Roggema to ultimately present a set of informed design principles that give agency to the building to become more than a shell for psychiatric practice but an active participant in the rehabilitation efforts laid out by the psychiatric healthcare fields. The research revealed a strong link between the physical environment and the quality of rehabilitation.