The influence of spatial quality on the occupant psychology : a study of the evolution of architectural devices

Abstract EN

The person with a developmental disability or mental disease is confronted to many difficulties in perceiving his environment and consequently understanding several daily life situations.

Sometimes, architecture can be disabling for them.

The incapacity can be the consequence of an unsuitable space, which can accentuate the routine of daily practice.

The therapeutic architecture offers spatial elements specific to the physiological and psychological needs of the user.

Indeed, it can have an impact on the well-being of individuals, especially those whose sensory particularities problems must be taken into consideration in the design process.

This architecture is conceived as an instrument of care, each component of the space responds to a particular need in order to create a space that becomes a complete place of recovery.

We are interested, in this research, in the evolution of the sensitive approach and the qualitative dimension in therapeutic architecture specifically designed for people with disabilities as adults and children.