Changing Perception

There is considerable amounts of our life that are based on assumptions. Without basic assumptions (the sun sets and will rise again) our daily life would be much more challenging (we assume folks around us understand the language we share, and that clothing is appropriate and certain currency is valid...). These assumptions also apply to how we experience space: how doors open, how walls are solid, floors are flat. Poor design, however, can turn our assumptions against us and cause us to think ourselves inept, when in fact it is a failure of the design to match assumptions - or to apply to a different culture's assumptions. This phenomena is well explained in the wonderful book by D.A. Norman Design of Everyday Things.

Not all design that challenges our assumptions is bad, it can be advancing new assumptions, or challenging stale cultural ideals. One such notion is that of the treatment of mental health. Whereas once all those with any mental issues were hidden away in institutions, today there is a blend of talk and pharmacological therapies for those struggling with such issues. One approach on the talking side of therapy is that, in many cases, the mental health of an individual only becomes problematic when there develops a significant discrepancy between internalized assumptions and the outside world. Based on this approach, one can best help mental health concerns by breaking down assumptions as to help re-align them [clearly not all mental health issues can be addressed in this manner, but this is only one approach]. The mental health clinic designed by Nendo in Tokyo has built this philosophy, physically. This clinic provides "standard consultations with a psychiatrist, corporate consulting and support for patients returning to the workplace."

Enjoy the photos below and share your thoughts on this unique space (given its function).

nendo: mental health clinic, tokyo: via DesignBoom
all images © jimmy cohrssen