Healing Horizons: A Sanctuary For Recovery
I adopt a posthumanist and polyphonic approach to rehabilitation, reimagining healing as a relational and ecological process. Posthumanism believes in adopting a posthumanist and polyphonic approach to rehabilitation, reimagining healing as a relational and ecological process. The idea of posthumanism believes in decentring human perspective which challenges anthropocentric hierarchies and recognizes the role of systematic, social, and ecological factors. Polyphony refers to the coexistence of both human and nonhuman stakeholders which helps emphasise the importance of diverse perspectives and fostering relationships between the human and the nonhuman. These ideologies help develop a framework that promotes shared healing, embracing not just individual recovery but also the restoration of relational and ecological balance to sustain long-term well-being.
The project is located on an ex-gasholder site. My research of the site reveals the harmful consequences of rapid industrialization on both humans and non-humans. For humans, the communities near the site have been economically abandoned leading to long-term economic devastation and inequality. This mental and economic toll is so profound that some have turned to substances like drugs & alcohol and have lost their touch with society. For non-humans, the impacts are just as high. The rampant industrial exploitation during the Industrial Revolution has led to the severe destruction of habitat and the environment.
My project envisions a holistic rehabilitation centre supporting drug recovery and site rehabilitation through the main programme of a community garden. The building is elevated to allow for bioremediation of the toxic site below, using native plants and soil regeneration techniques. Modular structural systems and passive environmental strategies—such as natural ventilation, daylighting, and solar shading—reduce operational carbon, while modularity minimises construction waste and enhances adaptability. The design promotes environmental and personal healing in tandem, creating a restorative space rooted in sustainability and community.
