- Name: Jeny Hepsheba
- Year: 2018
- Studio: Level V
- University: University of Moratuwa
CELEBRATE THE DIFFERENCES
The incidence and prevalence of Neurodevelopmental disorders are on the rise in Sri Lanka as seen in the rest of the world. Unfortunately, services related to the Neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically for Autism spectrum disorders are at a bare minimum in Sri Lanka. Only a few child psychiatrists and clinical psychologists actively practice in Sri Lanka with even fewer focusing on Autism spectrum disorders. Public awareness, early screening and early intervention are extremely important for the better outcome of these disorders.
Especially in Jaffna the awareness about mental health is very low and the false beliefs about the health issues are embedded in their thoughts so Bringing Positive Psychology through the architecture for the coming generation is required.
The project is based on 3 main aspects.
- To make awareness about the mental health
- To accept and include the difference into the society
- To empower the whole community
This project is basically resolving the problem of social acceptance regarding mental health and designing the building that can teach, interact and inspire the community for a better future. One of the challenge is locating the center into the urban context but the spirit of Jaffna architecture resolve this with elements such as veranda, front yard, split courtyards and series of transitional space become the buffer to the core learning space.
Architecture is used as the tool to stimulate the activity and life style of the community thus making it a healthy environment for learning and socializing and thereby not only nurturing the community but also the future generation.
Ultimately the building is not only about accommodating the autism center into the context; it is also about sustaining the lives, community and reflecting the identity of the Jaffna to create the social, economic and environmental change to the context