חומות הנפש

Mental disorders are a combination of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and relationships that deviate from the norm (WHO). Psychiatric hospitals are often viewed as depressing, focusing primarily on safety while neglecting patient needs. This leads to wards feeling like "prisons" for patients. This project proposes an alternative design that prioritizes both patients' and staff's needs, incorporating architectural and design elements to improve patients' conditions and help integrate them into the community during hospitalization. The goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental disorders by fostering a connection between patients and city residents. The chosen site is the Beit Hadar parking lot in central Tel Aviv-Yafo, offering fertile ground for urban integration. The design includes two public-commercial floors that blend into the urban space and the rail park, along with four floors for inpatient wards. The project aims to create a "home-like" environment, emphasizing open spaces, urban hospitality, and transparency to connect patients with the city community.