ASHRAYA: A PALLIATIVE CARE CENTER

Abstract

Today’s journey of healing and treatment of a chronic illness (A disease or condition that typically lasts for three months or longer and might worsen over time) is extensively limited in diagnostic wards. The need to expand healing and health to a broader conception has been a glaring fact for a long time. While recognizing the poor quality of institutional atmospheres of palliative care that prevail in the current situation, questions on how the design of healing environments can be enhanced to promote a person’s overall well-being is a topic that demands immediate attention. This thesis proposes Ashraya: a redefined palliative care center and hospice as a new urban typology for health rehabilitation that focuses on the multi-sensory and therapeutic qualities of architecture to stimulate psychological, social, and physical recovery. The thesis aims to understand the program of the Palliative Center and Hospice, keeping in mind the role of architecture in contributing to the healing process of patients and their families. There comes a point in the attempt to treat a patient when the reality of death becomes imminent. In the case of terminally ill patients, recovery is not an issue, rather comfort of the patient and their loved ones should take precedence. The proposal is based on the desire to create a healthcare retreat that provides optimum conditions and facilities for restorative and recreational care for a multitude of cases that requires a sentient response for healing or being taken care of. The first chapter indicates an introduction to the subject matter i.e., describing what a palliative care center is and exploring the vision, goals, mission, and objectives of the project. It includes the philosophy followed by such centers around the world and how they are relevant in the context of our own country. Chapter two explores the research and study of the need and requirements of such establishments or literature reviews. This will add on to a better understanding of practical and acceptable characteristics of the elements of palliative care. This also includes various design strategies and ideas that are needed in a good palliative care facility. Understanding the psychology of patients, family members, and staff and knowing about various functional spaces for running the facility effectively are some other aspects of this chapter. Chapter three is dedicated to various national and international case studies for an indepth understanding of the project. This helps in giving a brief idea of the space sizes and requirements, helps to know what should and should not be done, and overall proposes a brief for design starting points. Chapter four includes the choice of site for the design with its detailed analysis required for design decisions. Chapter Five summarizes all the information collected from the previous chapter and gives a tabulated program to carry out the design. Chapter 7 is the main body that covers the design process from concept development to design development compiling all deliverables required for a complete project.