With the growing challenges of mental health among children and adolescents, it is becoming necessary to design spaces that support the therapeutic process. The design of the Mental Health Center "Asylum" in Klodawa, created by Ewa Banaś of the Faculty of Architecture at Poznan University of Technology, responds to this urgent need. It is a place where nature, functionality and empathy meet in harmonious symbiosis, creating ideal conditions for treatment.
axonometry
© Ewa Banaś
architecture supporting therapy
The "Asylum" project is not just a building - it is a philosophy based on the belief that the space we inhabit affects our well-being and mental health. It was inspired by research on the relationship between architecture and the psyche of the user/user, as well as interviews with staff of healthcare facilities. Architectural solutions take into account the needs of patients/patients, parents and staff, making the center a welcoming and functional place.
cross-section A-A
© Ewa Banaś
escape to nature
The "Asylum" center is located on a picturesque promontory of Klodawa Lake in the village of Klodawa. The surroundings, full of walking and bicycle paths, have a soothing effect on the senses, offering peace and isolation from the hustle and bustle of the city. The natural terrain resembles a cave - a safe refuge where you can hide from the world and focus on inner harmony.
visualization
© Ewa Banaś
houses like from children's drawings
"Asylum" rejects the typical look of medical facilities. Single-story buildings with irregular floor plans and sloping roofs resemble houses drawn by a child's hand. This deliberate play with form helps to overcome the fear of treatment and builds a feeling of warmth and acceptance.
functional layout
© Ewa Banaś
The design takes care of the intermingling of interiors with nature. Glass connectors between the buildings offer views of the lake and the surrounding landscape. Corridors and therapy rooms provide contact with greenery, which supports the therapeutic process. Observing nature reduces stress and improves well-being, while window views of rural landscapes and water have a soothing effect on patients/clients.
visualization
© Ewa Banaś
patient/patient comfort
The buildings are laid out to ensure intimacy and mental freedom. The waiting room, spacious and illuminated by natural light, invites you in. The day ward is divided into blocks for individual, group and family activities, with adequate separation.
Individual patients/patients have the shortest route to their rooms, which limits group interaction. The gradual "exploration" of successive spaces promotes confidence building, which is crucial in the therapeutic process.
interior
© Ewa Banaś
interiors that build self-confidence
Each room is designed with the patient's/patient's needs in mind. The therapy rooms are spacious, and the furnishings allow the layout to be customized to individual preferences - patients can decide the distance from the therapist or where they sit. Freedom of choice reinforces a sense of control and confidence, which has a positive effect on the effectiveness of therapy.
The building masses were dispersed to avoid dominating the landscape. The facades were made of materials referring to the traditional architecture of the village of Klodawa, which allows the center to blend in with the surrounding greenery.
interior
© Ewa Banaś
asylum for young souls
"Asylum" is not only a mental health center, but also a place that redefines the way we think about therapy for children and adolescents. Through a combination of nature, architecture and empathy, it becomes a space where young people can find peace, safety and support on the road to recovery.