SkinAesthetics Clinic
PROJECT: Healing Space
[HOSPITALITY/CORPORATE DESIGN]
SkinAesthetics Hillcrest
[PROJECT DESCRIPTION]
As mentioned, and practised within project 1, green building is the ideal behind this design again. BUT this time we would design green according to the GBCSA Green Rating Tool. The purpose of this tool is to assist you with designing a space according to a star rating, the better the star rating, the greener the building. For this project we had to strive into getting a 5- or 6-star rating.
This design will provide insight into a ‘healing space’.
The Hillcrest Medicross is expanding to include a facility for a cosmetic dermatologist called the Skin Aesthetic Clinic.
It was up to us as designer in creating a space that would be beneficial to the inhabitant’s well-being but also provide a healing affect when entering the building.
SPATIAL REQUIREMENTS
[GROUND FLOOR]
Reception
Waiting area for 8 Individuals
Skin Care Bar
Juice Bar
Ablution Facilities
Kitchenette
Dermatology Suite:
Consult Room
Examination/Procedure Room
Medical Sundries
[FIRST FLOOR]
Chemical Peel Office
Botox and Filler Office
Microdermabrasion Office
Laser Resurfacing Office
Laser Hair Removal Office
Waiting Area for 4 – 6 individuals
Yin and Yang
This represents duality, or the idea that two opposite characteristics can actually exist together in harmony and compliment each other. Usually, it represents good and bad energy.
This facility represents a retreat, where bad energy is harmonized with the good energy received from the services offered.
UPON SEEING THE TWO INTERIOR CONCRETE COLUMNS, THE DESIGN OF YIN AND YANG CAME TO MIND. I also incorporated organic shapes for I as designer is always stuck on squares AND THINKING OF A HEALING SPACE REFLECTING THE EXTERIOR WORLD, EVERYTHING IS ORGANIC SHAPED AND NATURAL. THUS THE DESIGN REQUIRED TO PORTRAY THE SAME IDEAL.
HOW AM I CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS THE GREEN STAR RATING?
By following the followiing aspects:
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
Energy
Water
Materials
Land Use & Ecology
1. Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
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Can simply be defined as the conditions within a building, including indoor air quality (IAQ), the acoustic conditions, and occupant control over lighting and thermal comfort.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Passive Ventilation Strategies
Passive ventilation strategies use naturally occurring air flow patterns around and in the building to introduce outdoor, cooler and fresh air into the building.
2 strategies used:
• Cross-Ventilation
• Stack Ventilation
Plant Use
For Air Purification:
• Snake Plant: it removes formaldehyde, xylene, and nitrogen oxides from the air.
• Bamboo Plant
• Pelargonium: cleans the air, removes unwanted odour, and kills bacteria.
• Rubber Plant
(Whitfield, 2019).
Thermal Comfort
Mechanical Ventilation Where Needed
For instances where natural ventilation could not be achieved, by means of the solar panels, mechanical air conditioning units could be used.
Glass
Although there is no apparent pergola for shading the entrance and waiting areas. The sun pattern does not allow for extreme rays of sunlight coming into the façade of the building.
If and when the sunlight becomes too much, use of window film would contain the warmth for thermal comfort. The dual reflective film is a one-way glass, ensuring that people from the exterior cannot see within, whilst people from inside can see outwards. The energy saving and cooling costs are reduced up to 18%. The film also aids with possible glare (EasyTint Window Film, 2019).
Lighting Quality
Daylight is optimal for lighting up the entire ground floor.
Other areas where sunlight does not reach as much, a warm/daylight globes are used to create a warm, calming feel. Which is the ideal feeling we are trying to achieve with the ‘Retreat’.
Although the adequate light for task purposes are given to doctors who are busy with the services rendered.
Glass enclosed treatment rooms are designed to allow for natural light and the building is ventilated and cooled naturally.
Noise & Acoustics
Noise does not bounce of furnishing materials such as wood, velvet fabric waiting chairs, as well as the natural sound barriers being the biophilia.
The drywalling used in-between offices are insulated perfectly and plastered with natural clay plaster.
2. Energy
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With the extremely high temperature from the coast and extreme sun rays, by means of solar panels equipped on the flat roof, costs of electricity could be cut dramatically and be of additional help on lowering the carbon footprint of the site.
3. Water
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On site there are various means of plants growing. By incorporating a greywater harvesting system that takes water from the kitchenette, washbasins and filters it into watering water for these plants.
Another system such as the rainwater harvesting system could collect rain to be used on site.
These two systems would save a lot of costing for water and is a more sustainable route.
4. Materials
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Natural Clay
By using this mixture of clay and sand, is an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plaster and paint. It is a natural, non-toxic, durable, and beautiful. It does not contain harmful chemicals (VOC’s). (Simple Construct, 2022).
Rammed Earth
This material is highly sustainable as it has a high thermal mass. A 40th of the carbon footprint of concrete which is compressed of 20% cement and has low transport emission for it is found on the site or any site nearby (Killip, 2020.).
• 100% Hand Loomed Cotton
• Mushroom Leather
This material is very stable, flexible and by far the most robust vegan leather type.
Bamboo
Unprocessed bamboo is a sustainable alternative to timber and steel and has a smaller carbon footprint than importing heavier items.
6. Land Use & Ecology
Healing Traditions
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Living from nature, the South African cultures that were based in this area believed in natural remedies from nature for our health (Ndlovu, 2016:).
Isangoma is the term referred to, ‘traditional healers.’ They are to be believed in carrying on the supernatural power and spiritual guidance from their ancestors to heal others (Ndlovu, 2016:).
Someone that is referred to as, ‘inyanga’, is someone that is not necessarily been blessed with the gift but takes up the trade for their extent knowledge in herbs and medicines (Ndlovu, 2016:).
Inyangas train for a very long time. It is important that they know the powers of the different herbs. These are powerful medicines that can be toxic if the wrong dose is given. For example, The Bitter Aloe (‘umhlaba’ in Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho) is used as a traditional medicine. The leaves or roots are boiled in water. The liquid is used for the treatment of eczema, stress and eye infection. The sap can be applied to burns and bruises (South African History Online. 2019).
For the design of the skin bar, I personally thought as the designer that these native practises could be implemented to contribute to the surrounding elements of this site. Thus, contributing to sustainable practises in their own services.
FRANGIPANI TREE
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Frangipani essential oil holds a key place in aromatherapy owing to its romantic and stimulating fragrance that enhances the mind and body. It is known to alleviate inflammation, headache, back pain, and tinnitus. While the aphrodisiac nature of this oil relaxes nerves, muscles, and boost libido.
Not only that but this tree is found in areas such as KwaZulu-Natal. Although the initial reaction of it being an exotic plant. it strives easily within our climate and has a wide variety already growing in South Africa.