Public Architecture as Therapy

Abstract

The notion of well-being as a social sustainability strategy has also become a timely issue in the post-pandemic context, which reshapes the interactions between people and public urban spaces. The shifting paradigm of social interactions with urban public spaces requires a renewed understanding of public architecture. Although “public architecture” is not an emerging term, the evolving social context indicates further conceptualisation is necessary, emphasising the therapeutic effect of public architecture in promoting subjective well-being(SWB).

This thesis investigates the expanded conceptualisation of public architecture and the

potential application of curatorship in designing socially resilient public architecture, which encourages a new framework that specifically fosters SWB by promoting positive interactions and overcoming some of the negative impacts of loneliness, anxiety, and stress associated with urban dwelling. The field research was conducted based on the premise that

public architecture is a spatial practice in a neighbourhood-scale urban open space that

sensitively considers the existing social demands, which creates a social gathering space for

the neighbourhood or a network of neighbourhoods, inviting interaction without barriers. As a result, this thesis proposes a design framework under a new terminology -therapeutic public architecture, which aims to engage in critical and aesthetic reasoning that emphasises the impacts of public architecture on social resilience and well-being.

The main objectives of this thesis are as follows:

1. Examine and redefine the conceptualisation of public architecture in an urban built environment.

2. Establish a design framework for public architecture promoting positive social

engagement and SWB.

3. Identify relevant concepts and initiatives across disciplines to develop a combined

understanding regarding how public architecture could foster SWB as a potential

social sustainability strategy.