UCLA Wellness and Recovery Center

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Project Introduction

Fifty years ago the World Health Organization defined health as:

“ A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and

not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

The UCLA Wellness and Recovery Center (WRC) is dedicated to improving the condition of recovering cancer patients through a program of physical therapy, nutritional advising, and group therapy. This program provides patients with a comprehensive healing process upon their release from the hospital to aid in their transition to life as a survivor. In traditional hospitals, while patients are undergoing treatments they have access to medical personnel 24/7, but the day they are discharged from the hospital they lose that support system. After they leave they are faced with the new challenge of coping with the aftermath of diagnosis and treatment without the safety net they had as an impatient. Through physical fitness and whole body nutrition, the WRC gives cancer survivors a way to cope with the hardships of diagnosis and treatment, encouraging a healthy state of mind even after they are released from the hospital.

The WRC is available to recovering patients once they have finished their most intensive treatments and have been discharged from the hospital. The program integrates family members and friends into the patient care program to foster a smoother transition to their life at home. It is a place of healing and encouragement -- a support system. A place with people the user can trust and resources that will give them strength.

Concept Development

Through the transition of each patient to their new life after treatment there is a renewed perception of personal values along with a new appreciation and attention to detail. With this second chance at life there is an opportunity to re-evaluate what is truly important to them. Representative of this process is the concept of tree grafting: a technique in which the existing root system of one tree is fused to the branch system of another tree. Two different trees -- one stronger life.

Diagrams of the development of the connection between the natural and the built environment, focusing on the relationship to the user and the positive effects on their physical and mental well being.