Professor Diane Hays

Created By Mia Love Emley

Project Description:

A PLACE OF RESPITE – "a quiet space for contemplation, relaxation and spiritualism - taking lessons from aspects of sacred spaces intended to blur the boundary “between matter and mind, flesh and spirit."

      The project asked to design a small commercial space for citizens to decompress, unplug and find respite from over-stressed, over-worked & over-stimulated lives. Responding to new behavioral research Millennials and Gen-Zers suffer significantly more psychological effects including depression, lack of self-esteem and regrettably suicide, largely resulting from technology overloads. Thus, the need for places that promote calm, mindfulness, and relaxation providing a respite from everyday digital bombardment. In other words, your space will provide a sanctuary of sorts where people can unplug, unwind, reflect and rejuvenate without the distractions of contemporary life. 

     Students had the option of choosing between two different sites located in downtown San Antonio – one located at on the rooftop of the historic Joske’s building near Alamo Plaza, and the other site at Travis Park. In each case students designed the architecture, interiors, and adjacent landscaping. Site one allows for use of existing building surfaces utilizing the rooftop, parapet, and building structural patterns. Site two will be an independent structure. Each site provides unique challenges that will need to be addressed in your site / building design. For this project, I chose the rooftop of the historic Joske's building.