Enriched Environment: A Treatment Centre for Transitional Youth with Mental Illness

The number of transitional youth affected by mental illness is growing drastically. However, they often fall through the cracks of the mental health care system since a critical gap exists between the facilities and services offered for treatment. A new type of residential community care called ‘step-up/step-down’ facilities can provide a ‘step up’ option for youth at risk of an acute inpatient hospitalization, or a ‘step down’ option to assist in the seamless transition of youth re-entering the community following a hospitalization. This thesis develops from an investigation into enriched environments, a concept explored by both neuroscience and neuroarchitecture. Through an analysis of existing research literature and scientific studies on healing spaces, neuroscience, and neuroarchitecture, this thesis goes on to explore, contextualize and then offer an architectural project that can serve to test out ideas for an enriched environment; an environment that is physically and psychologically beneficial to psychiatric patients.