Thesis Proposal

THESIS PROPOSAL ON
DRUG / ALCOHOL DE-ADDICTION AND

REHABILITATION CENTER
(Approach towards Our healthier nation)
For the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of

Bachelor in Architecture (B.Arch), TU
SUMBITTED BY:
Dharmisara Subedi
071/B.Arch/509
SUBMITTED TO:
Tribhuvan University
Institute of Engineering
Department of Architecture
Thapathali Campus,
March, 2019
DRUG/ALCOHOL DE-ADDICTION AND REHAB CENTER 2019
Table of contents
Table of contents ........................................................................................................................................... 1
1 Project description ................................................................................................................................ 2
1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 2
2 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Scenario in Nepal .......................................................................................................................... 3
3 Statement of problem ............................................................................................................................ 6
4 Justification of project........................................................................................................................... 7
5 Research questions ................................................................................................................................ 7
6 Objectives of project ............................................................................................................................. 7
7 Methodology ......................................................................................................................................... 8
7.1 Research phase .............................................................................................................................. 8
7.2 Design phase ................................................................................................................................. 9
8 Site selection ....................................................................................................................................... 11
9 Tentative programme formulation ...................................................................................................... 11
10 Limitations of project ...................................................................................................................... 11
11 Time formulation ............................................................................................................................ 12
12 Proposed Literature review ............................................................................................................. 13
12.1 Treatment and rehabilitation ....................................................................................................... 13
12.2 Therapeutic community .............................................................................................................. 13
12.3 Therapeutic architecture.............................................................................................................. 14
12.4 Architectural psychology ............................................................................................................ 14
13 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 17
14 Works Cited .................................................................................................................................... 18
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 1
1 Project description
1.1 Introduction
Drug addiction
Drug/Alcohol De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre is the place for treatment of the chronic,
often relapsing disease and also a place for the restoration of health both physically and
psychologically. De-addiction means a state of being free from addiction and rehabilitation
means restoration of someone to a normal life. The rehabilitation center will be a therapeutic
community for addicts. It is the process of active change by which a person who has become
addicts acquires the knowledge and skills needed for optimum physical, psychological and social
function.
Drug/Alcohol De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre-“Our healthier Nation: A contract for

health” is envisaged for the people who are suffering from the mental disease, Drug and Alcohol
Addiction. Good health is not just about how people live. It is about their quality of life,
(physical health, education, family, employment, environment) and how well people are during
their extra years, so that they are not robbed of their dignity and independence in later life.
Rehabilitation centre is a temporary home away from home, a pathway back to individual
stability and societal development. And this short term stay will be a process to healing that
brings changes from the inside out. It involves the use of appropriate and available medical
treatments, therapies, prosthetics, social and environmental supports. It’s likely to require
collaboration of health, social service and other public agencies.
It is not limited to the role of the recognized rehabilitation professionals (physiotherapists,
occupational therapist and speech and language therapists etc). Instead of medication treatment
therefore, they provided the necessary tools to the community of patients in dealing with their
own problems, making them part of the process with which they could overcome their traumatic
experience.
2 Background
Many people do not understand why people become addicted to drugs and alcohol or how drugs
change the brain to foster compulsive drug abuse. They mistakenly view drug abuse and
addiction as strictly a social problem and may characterize those who take drugs as morally
weak. One very common belief is that drug abusers should be able to just stop taking drugs if
they are only willing to change their behavior. Traditionally, it has been considered that holding
drug users in custody or prison would prevent their access to drugs, and that staying from drugs
for a few months would enable them to live without drugs indefinitely. However, these
approaches have historically fallen well short of expectations, not least because drugs are often
accessible in prisons.
Drug abuse is affecting the strongest part of any nation .i.e. its youth. Due to the eagerness and
potentially to try every bit of fun young people are likely to get the addiction. It is more likely
that the addicted victim get involved in criminal activities. This illness is damaging the whole
society. A good therapy is what needed under such predicaments. Thus rehabilitation centre
might be the solution to this problem. A complete institution dealing utterly with this matter is
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 2
required in our society. Rehabilitation is a place which enables the user to cease substance abuse,
in order to avoid the psychological, legal, social and physical consequences that can be caused
through the process of constant medical, psychological and recreational treatment.
2.1 Scenario in Nepal

Drug abuse is a worldwide problem that affects millions of people and Nepal is no exception.
Over the last years, growing drug use has been of increasing concern to the society in Nepal. It is
mainly young boys and girls who are engaging in drug use for a variety of reasons and many
young Nepalese have already died from drug use. Drug uses possess serious challenges as it
affects foremost the health and life of the drug user, the social wellbeing of the family and
community.
Drugs such as cannabis and alcohol were traditionally used in Nepal for centuries. Use of these
drugs as part of the cultural norms did not create major social problems during that period.
However, the types of drug used have been shifted since the last few decades from cannabis to
synthetic opiates and chemical substances. Also the mode of drug uses has changed from
smoking/ingesting to injecting and that has become one of the major causes of HIV infection too.
So, drug abuse has become multi-dimensional problem in Nepal.
As per the survey report on current hard drug users in nepal-2069 published by ministry of home
affairs drug control programme there are altogether 91,534 current drug users in 2069, among
them 85,204 are male drug users and 6,330 accounted to female which is nearlt double of 46,309
in 2063. It is incresed by about 98% over the course of 6 years. The annual growth rate is
11.36 %. The highest number of drug users are found in kathmandu valley 36,998.
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 3
Figure 1: Estimated number of hard drug user in Nepal- 2069

Source: Survey report on Current hard drug users in Nepal-2069, GON, central bureau of statistics
Age patterns of drug users

Among the drug users, a very large majority of which happened to be young users. About 70,390
drug users are below the age of 30. The youth 20-24 years accounted for the highest proportion
of the current drug users in Nepal, followed by 25-29 years age group. The proportionate
distribution comparing with the previous survey is more or less the same. (nepal, 2069)
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 4
Figure 2: percentage age distribution of current drug user- 2069

Reasons for drug intake

It is noteworthy that more common reasons for initiation of drug use could be seen as pull factor
because of perceived positive outcomes’ of drug use. For instance, majority of drug users
reported reasons like curiosity or experimentation, for fun or peer pressure for initiation of drug
use. In contrast perhaps surprisingly only minorities reported reasons like family problem and
others. (nepal, 2069)
Figure 3: Percentage distribution of reason for drug intake

Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 5
Rehabilitation centers in Nepal
Figure 4: Rehabilitation center all over the Nepal

3 Statement of problem
 Most of the rehab centers are open as an adaptive reuse of residential building.
 The rehab center treats the addicts like a prisoner and tortures them in the name of
rehabilitation for example transformation Nepal which quotation is “only hugs no drugs”.
 They lack the proper recreational space like landscaping element for the speedy recovery.
 Architecture is not use in the recovery of the addicts in spite of it plays vital role in the
psychology of addicts like colour, light, nature act as a psychology parameter which can
use in the building in different way.
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 6
4 Justification of project
Architecture is about creating a space and making it lively for a suitable purpose. Architecture
thus has a purpose. A building conveys various impacts and effects to its habitat. Residential
building creates a homely environment for living but the same building may not create the same
environment for the treatment purpose. Each building has its meaning and its particular function.
From the safety point of view also this point is highly deliberated. Linking the case of Nepal
most of the rehabs ongoing in Nepal are adopted in the residential buildings. It thus carries the
huge default. Some of the basic outlines regarding why there is necessity of drug and alcohol
rehab in Nepal are as follows:
 The maximum treatment center providing service s at the present are established in
residential building, adjusting the various functions in the space that are available.
Besides, the proper physical and natural environment required for the treatment too has
been compromised: thus making the existing centers not effective as they should be.
 Being limited in number and planned for small number of patients, the services provided
through such centers in our case aren’t sufficient to treat the huge number of addicts who
are willing to fight their habit and get back to normal life.
 What we also lack is the proper counseling institution for the younger generation
regarding the drugs, mental illness and alcoholism.
 This approach is aimed towards creating a better architecture space.
 To enhance the ability of architecture in creating inspiration and enthusiasm particular
group of people who are depressed in life.
5 Research questions
1. What kind of built environment do rehabilitation center required for the better treatment
of the addicts?
2. What kind of parameters are to be followed while designing the rehabilitation center?
3. How does design element contribute to influence psychology of the drug addicts?
4. What are the problems that the addicts are facing in existing center in terms of
architecture and built environment?
6 Objectives of project
 Primary goal of this rehab center is to provide proper treatment rather than punishment
for the antisocial behavior and to provide residential service and special vocational
training to enhance their life to re-enter the society and to participate positively within the
community
 Besides the medical context of the rehab center where addicts are treated, this rehab
center is intended to be designed as “center for awareness against the addictions”.
 The center will have enough built space for various functions as treatment, rehabilitation,
training, meditation, games and wide varieties of fitness and recreational activities which
include daily fitness, yoga and meditation, sauna, i.e. Physical and mental treatment and
also act as a platform for the addicts to show their workshops and studio skills by means
of exhibition.
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 7
7 Methodology
The project will be oriented to meet the requirements for the completion of Bachelors Degree in
Architecture. The following methodologies will be adopted in two phases to come up with the
final design.
7.1 Research phase

Literature Review
The part will comprise guidelines to be considered while designing any built forms. Thus,
necessary national and international standards related architectural books of standards to be
consulted. Further, to understand the different aspects and the value of the project book, articles,
project works, documents etc. related to the project is studied carefully. From the study we
understand what to know more from the case studies and what is required for the project.
Expected literature review is done by study of these
 Architect’s data
 Time saver standards
 Architectural healing environment, a thesis report by Brian Schaller
 Rehabilitation center by Ermina Stephanidou, University of Nicosia
Case study
This is preparatory phase for thesis project in which data, facts, spatial needs and requirements
are studied focusing on the approved topic. We will study the present functioning and
organization of spaces through case studies. All the findings gathered in this phase will be
applied in our design phase.
Case studies to be studied
National case study:
1. Narconon Nepal
2. Maya Nepal alcohol/drug rehabilitation center
3. Upakar Nepal Sudhar Kendra
4. Richmond fellowship rehabilitation centre
5. Way of living drugs and alcohol rehabilitation center, Nepal.
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 8
Regional case study

1. Alpha healing center, Gujarat India
2. Safe house retreat, New Delhi
3. Muktangan de-addiction center, Pune India
International case study
1. Searidge drug rehab center, Canada
2. Groot klimmendaal rehabilitation revalidation centre, Netherlands
7.2 Design phase

 Site selection and analysis
 Program formulation and zoning
 Conceptual design
 Design development
 Preparation of architectural drawings, 3D views, model, report for final presentation
This phase will orient itself on creating proper design of thesis topic selected where the
combination of all knowledge gathered form research phase would be applied. The methodology
followed for this project is graphically illustrated below.
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 9
Topic selection
Project identification
Aims and objectives
Information collection
Site Selection
Literature review
Case Study
Site Analysis
Analysis of collected information
Program formulation
Design concept
Master planning Architectural design/detailing
Final output
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 10
8 Site selection
The main purpose of this rehab center is to provide holistic healing environment to the addicts so
the connection with the nature is necessary but it should be near to the community which will
help the addicts as the source of encouragement to rebuild their strength in society. With the aim
of achieving the spiritual transformation of patient the nature plays the important role in the
psychology of the human. The premises around the site can affect the patient’s medical
outcomes. So the major site selection criteria are:
 The site should be away from city core area for the peaceful environment and away from
the noise pollution.
 Easy access to transportation, hospital, police station.
 Peaceful area but not detached to the community.
As the requirement of the site selection I am planning to select the site in the Changunarayan,
Bhaktapur. The Changunarayan area is away from the city core area and of course it has peaceful
environment and close to the nature and easy access for the transportation. The site is away from
the noisy zones, which is suitable for the rehabilitation center as it requires the psychological,
spiritual consideration together with the natural environment.
9 Tentative programme formulation

1. Administration block
2. Clinic block
3. Recreational block
4. Outpatient hall
5. Therapy block
6. Dormitory block
7. Staff quarter
8. Skill development unit
9. Multipurpose hall
10. Support block
11. Healing garden
12. Indoor games
13. Landscaping elements
10 Limitations of project
The study and research will be limited. Due to limitation of time period, the thesis should be
completed within 3 month so; my project will mainly focus on architectural criteria for built
environment of the drug rehab center rather than medical treatment process. The project will also
focus psychology of the addicts and by using this spaces are specified. The relation between
architecture and psychology is carried out deeply in this project.
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 11
11 Time formulation
 Literature review and general data collection is being started already and will be
completed within 2 weeks.
 National Case study will be done in 1 week and international from secondary source in 4
days.
 Formulation of program and design concept will be done in 2 weeks.
 Final design proposal will be done 2 week
 Final Drawing and model will be done in 3 weeks
 Preparing report and its submission will be done in 2 weeks
The thesis project is supposed to complete in 12 weeks i.e. 3 months.
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 12
12 Proposed Literature review

12.1 Treatment and rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is a process of restoration of community in which people live together in an
organized and structured way in order to promote change and make possible a drug free life in
the outside society. The community forms a miniature society in which residents fulfill
distinctive roles designed to promote a transitional process. It is important to note from the outset
that architecture is not a treatment but can most significantly become part of healing process
through the creation of spaces that foster and provide meaning to those activities utilized to
achieve gradual rehabilitation through a therapeutic environment. Light color and movement
within a residence as well as landscape and location are essential elements of this architectural
therapy.
12.2 Therapeutic community

One of the most widely accepted definition of the therapeutic community for drug addicts is an
environment in which ‘people live together in an organized and structured way in order to
promote change and make possible a drug free life in the outside society. The community forms
a miniature society in which residents fulfill distinctive roles designed to promote a transitional
process…’ (Ottenberg). It must only be a foundation or facility in name. In essence, the
therapeutic community should become ‘society away from society’, a shadow of reality for those
with the determination or even so, the decisive push by family and relatives to rediscover and re-
coordinate that inner creativity self, the social and individual personality lost through drug abuse.
As argued, this type of healing process, its residential philosophy aside (and this is where
architectural design comes in), does not usually apply to a fixed setting, “but rather to the
principles of the care that is offered a communal approach which is also democratic,
collaborative and encourages participation…” (Hara)
Instead of medication treatment therefore, they provided the necessary tools to the community of
patients in dealing with their own problems, making them part of the process with which they
could overcome their traumatic experiences. As Crimpling notes, this later became known as the
‘living-learning’ method. Maine took this and applied a psychoanalytic approach to it. Some
later appropriately dubbed it ‘social psychiatry’. It formed the beginnings of an attempt to
consider drug rehabilitation as a psychological awakening through a group environment, in
which members (not patients) and experienced professionals interact in a setting promoting trust
and individuals are encouraged to become part of a community with the goal of rebuilding their
social skills, such as responsibility and integration. This community philosophy essentially
places the healing process into the hands of addicts themselves in a controlled and voluntary but
not institutionalized environment, finding methods that allow them to rebuild their ability of
dealing independently with their own problems.
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 13
12.3 Therapeutic architecture

If drug addiction rehabilitation is mostly about bringing positive feelings to the fore and helping
to build a new identity for members of therapeutic communities, then architectural design, is
perhaps the most decisive of factors in how space is utilized, both in practical terms and
landscape wise, to uplift the spirit and provide the necessary environment in which community
daily life and activities can become most effective. Christopher Day believes that buildings have
the life the architect gives them, a personality that is either positive or negative, and that aura is
captured by those who reside in them.
The more ‘felt’ are buildings, the more connected to rhythms of day…they value the individuals
they will house…environment can heal as well as harm…places of spirit…nourish both
individual and society”. (Day c. )
A host of studies have shown that the surrounding environment, the ‘place’ as a physical sense,
is associated with drug addiction risks. Starting from this premise it can be said that building
design is more than just a backdrop to health issues, but is more of a forefront. A wide ranging
research paper pointing to the need for safer environment interventions, even though its main
topic might be drug injection in public, comes to a conclusion highly relevant to the importance
of place as both physical and social in nature.
”Place is not simply a set of coordinates, but is constructed through finding meaning in the social
and built forms we inhabit”. (Rhodes)
In other words, the building, a city and the way it is designed does not just form slabs of
concrete, but is literally a social construction, that can have an influence on those who reside in
it. As outlined earlier, this is truer of people, in this case, addicts who are in a process of
rehabilitation, a tough community healing programme that seeks to root out their negativity. In
such an instance, the energy and individuality their residence might project could be crucial in
how they respond to this process. Colour, they way they are able to move within the building,
staircases, connections between rooms, surrounding nature can all play a role, as will be
analyzed, not just in underpinning the mood of the residents, but also whether they feel welcome
in the building, whether it forms a connection to their emotions and physical presence and by
extension if it provides a motivation for them to follow the programme.
12.4 Architectural psychology

Architectural psychology can be described as a branch of environmental or ecological
psychology. This deals with the interaction between man and his environment as for example
spatial perception, spatial thinking, orientation, behavior or spatial experience, territorial
behavior, living requirements and satisfaction local identity.
Human psychology and architecture

Human Psychology
Human psychology is the science of studying human nature and behavior. The field of
psychology includes both mind and body. Basically it is the impact on human mind and the
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 14
result of which is seen in human body. Every single individual in this universe is entirely
different from one another and so is their behavior. (Architecture, 2011)
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing, and constructing form, space
and ambience that reflects technical, social and aesthetical considerations. Moreover architecture
is an art of creating a space be it a closed or open space. (Architecture, 2011)
Sensation and Perception

In order to understand our relationship with space, we first need to explore how we become
aware of it. Primarily of course we see it, since it is largely evident to us visually. The processing
of visual sensations into perceptions of the world around us involves a complex interaction of the
eye and brain. Our own characteristics are such that our visual sensations largely dominate our
perceptions. Since over two thirds of the nerve fibers that enter our central nervous system are
from the eyes! Because of this we have come to live in a very visually dominated culture and it is
easy to forget that space is also perceived through the sensations of sound, smell and even touch.
Perception is actually more than just sensation. Perception is an active process through which we
make sense of the world around us. (Architecture, 2011)
Where psychology meets architecture
Effectiveness of any the design process would be much more. If an architect would know what
their clients were really thinking. What colour inspires them? How do they interact with their
physical environments? How does sunlight make them feel? Answers to such questions are
rarely gathered during typical pre-design planning sessions for the thing. Design teams rarely
believe that deeply into the human psychology of end users. And most people have difficulty
verbalizing this kind of subjective information.
Architectural Design and Psychology
An architect’s need to consider a variety of disciplines when designing a structure and
psychology is very important. By attending to psychological questions, architects can process
design and experts control behavior within the building. Below are some philosophical questions
in which several psychological issues can be derived and addressed which is inspired by some of
the major themes that make up the study of architectural psychology.
1. How do you get occupants attention?
2. What will occupants remember most about the design?
3. How will this architecture impact their real-time experiences?
4. Is this architectural environment coherent?
5. Can this architectural environment he explored?
6. Will occupants enjoy the variety and complexity of this design?
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 15
7. Does my design promote healthy social interactions?

8. Does my design promote opportunities for occupant discovery?
9. Can occupant manage and escape from stress in this environment?
10. Is there a sense of community fostered in this architecture?
By considering these questions, architect started to make influential decisions that impact the
experiences of the occupants. Understanding principles about architectural psychology will
help architects to design with greater awareness. Although some may look simple at first
glance, the questions are really quite complex as one drives into the inner-workings of human
perception, cognition and behavior. The more one understands about how occupants interact
with their environment, the better the design will be.
Relation between Human Psychology and Architecture
Human psychology is directed related with architecture. Appropriate use of various architectural
components has the capacity of enlightening the atmosphere whereas inappropriate use does the
opposite. The building forms, the functions incorporated in it. Colors, negative and positive
spaces in and around it may be the few points but architecture is directly attached with human
psychology from conscious to subconscious level. (Architecture, 2011)
An architect can control human behavior with his design by understanding the way that a
building’s design can influence a person’s behavior, thus, modifying the individual’s mood and
perception, whether the environment is natural or man-made. Understanding the way in which
environment effect people could enable the design and construction of work, recreation and
living space that has the ability to influence people’s behavior. (Vats, 2017)
Some of the components of architecture which affects human psychology are
 Building form
 Positive and negative spaces
 Colors
 Open spaces
 Openings
 Lighting
 Acoustics
 Sound construction
 Green techniques
 Landscapes
(Architecture, 2011)
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 16
13 Conclusion
This proposal targets the completion of the design of the rehabilitation center for the
drug/alcohol addicts. I think that in order to create rehabilitation spaces, we must first fully
understand the user the best we can. Once we understand what type of space will bring healing to
their lives, we need to imagine our way into this space. Then design the buildings accordingly
fulfilling their needs and requisites for proper healing place that can give them a way back to get
their strength, confidence and independence. The tentative program formulation and site
selection is done according to the requirement of the design.
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 17
14 Works Cited
Architecture. (2011, March 23). Retrieved march 3, 2019, from human psychology and architecture:
http://archijanu.blogspot.com/2011/03/human-psychology-and-architecture.html
Day, C. spirit and palace.
Hara, O. (n.d.). what are therapeutic communities . Retrieved from funding caring :
http://www.fundingcaring.co.uk/what-are-therapeutic-communities.html
nepal, G. o. (2069). Current hard drug user in nepal- 2069. survey , Ministry of home affairs , Central
bureau of statistics, kathmandu.
Ottenberg. (n.d.). scientific magazine. psychiatric nursing .
Rhodes, K. S. ‘Public injecting and the need for safer environment interventions in the reduction of drug
related harm.
Vats, S. (2017, september 12). Impact of Architecture on Human Psychology. Retrieved march 3, 2019,
from A medium Corporation [US]: https://medium.com/@srkshivangi.01/impact-of-architecture-on-
human-psychology-f0b637714603
Dharmisara Subedi
(071/B.Arch/509) Page 18

Thesis Proposal

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Thesis Proposal

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

THESIS PROPOSAL ON

DRUG / ALCOHOL DE-ADDICTION AND

For the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of

Drug/Alcohol De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre-“Our healthier Nation: A contract for

2.1 Scenario in Nepal

Figure 1: Estimated number of hard drug user in Nepal- 2069

Age patterns of drug users

Figure 2: percentage age distribution of current drug user- 2069

Reasons for drug intake

Figure 3: Percentage distribution of reason for drug intake

Rehabilitation centers in Nepal

Figure 4: Rehabilitation center all over the Nepal

7.1 Research phase

Regional case study

7.2 Design phase

Aims and objectives

Analysis of collected information

Master planning Architectural design/detailing

9 Tentative programme formulation

The thesis project is supposed to complete in 12 weeks i.e. 3 months.

12 Proposed Literature review

12.2 Therapeutic community

12.3 Therapeutic architecture

12.4 Architectural psychology

Human psychology and architecture

Sensation and Perception

7. Does my design promote healthy social interactions?

You might also like