The kind centre: a built intervention to remediate transgenerational trauma in immigrants

Abstract

The question that this thesis attempts to answer is: what defines kind architecture and what is its validity in the architectural field? How can architecture create a supportive environment to investigate transgenerational trauma and its epigenetic modifications in immigrants? First understanding the environment as the brain perceives it, one can then understand how the environment influences the brain. Focusing on transgenerational trauma, the thesis analyzes the epigenetic modifications of this phenomenon, and how behaviour and biology play a role in its transference. The NR3C1 gene indicates that mothers and children from the ages of 4-16 years old are particularly vulnerable, creating a set demographic to programmatically design for. Since environmental perturbations such as political climate play a role in transgenerational trauma progression, the scope of site is decided on New York City due to the ease of access to the site, and personal connections Architectural solutions are linked to an accumulation of trauma symptoms, including intrapersonal and interpersonal affecters. Examining materiality and partis of the spaces become important to the overall design. Further, cognitive behavioural therapy becomes the fulcrum of the solution: using communication through activities and meditation to help the individual process their thoughts, dismantle lay perceptions and social factors to break the negative cycle that promotes the longevity of PTSD and transgenerational trauma transference. The best environment to achieve this therapeutic model is through multi-level interactions which include varying calibers of privacy. Kind architecture is explored as a methodology, revealing public libraries and community centres to be an adequate architectural match to offer a diversity of social interaction that can be encouraged and suggested (rather than enforced Within Washington Square Park exists the same interventions that allow for diverse levels of communication. However, immigrants tend to feel uncomfortable in large open spaces, especially in New York’s harsh winters. After justifying a public library as a safe shelter, a further analysis of the surrounding programs further strengthens the site as a potential incubator for further research: most buildings around the East side of Washington Square Park are currently focusing on cultural trauma and the myriad ways to reverse it, particularly between the mother and the child. The research then postulates that a community centre with a public library integration is the best approach to transgenerational trauma therapy. The goal is to create a space for linguistic support, but also exposure to the multitude of cultural expression between occupants: similar to cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure therapy, one can create architectural strategies to bond relationships and encourage interaction between those who would otherwise be struggling on their own. The proposed architecture would incorporate private therapy rooms, group therapy areas, kitchen and dining areas, and two libraries.