Rehabilitation center for mental health : The green shell

The town of Lefke possesses important historical riches than its neighbors. Lefke is a mixture of coastline and vast mountains, lush with citrus groves. It is in the greenest corner of the island, which is an oasis of peace and calm. Because of its successful agricultural features, this area provides a suitable place for a mental rehabilitation centre.

North Cyprus has one of the higher depression prevalence. This country has environmental and socio-cultural characteristics such as a history of war, migration, and colonization, high unemployment rates, socioeconomic problems, similar to other extremely high prevalence depression countries and regions. Hence it has a strong indication of the importance of socio-cultural factors on depression. Studies show that an average of 23% of north Cyprus is diagnosed with this disorder. A mental Health Rehabilitation Centre is chosen to be designed since the site offers suitable opportunities and there is a social demand for it. Most of the healing process for depression is through therapy and leisure activates therefore the building provides certain activities and atmosphere to help the process. The structure aims to exaggerate greenery and calmness. By doing so it blends itself with nature. This building is formed to divide extrovert and introvert activities to provide a suitable atmosphere for treatment of its users who are suffering from depression and related disorders. This act is done by creating vibrant and social paths on the ground floor and dividing the calmness and extrovert activities and positioning them on to the natural green roof and courtyards. The building aims to divide the activities by their characteristics and create a comfortable and organised distribution of spaces. This is to avoid confusion while in use. The pathway of the site crosses a main axis in the middle which leads to the seafront and creates a direct connection from the entrance of the site towards the sea. This created promenade provides a flow and a sense of journey throughout the chosen activities of the path. While entering the site user passes certain stages and steps to reach the freedom and openness of the vast view of the sea. The main axis acts as the heart of the building creating a direct connection from the entrance of the site to the sea. The courtyards are created to offer private and introvert activities. These atmospheres are designed to generate a feeling of Zen and calmness.