Key workers retreat center by the river edge

After the pandemic, workers in high-stress jobs have shown a decrease in their mental health. This growing issue creates a problem for the future as early intervention is not widely sought, creating risks for the future well-being of key workers. In order, to establish a more sustainable way of dealing with stress and managing one’s mental health, there are steps to overcome difficult situations and create harmony. These steps are known as building resilience.

The importance of one to build resilience is vital, as it affects long-term conditions and helps sustain lifestyle and well-being. To establish resilience, a nurturing environment as an early intervention and proper time to focus is essential. The program gives choice of dwelling type and freedom of activities to create maximum effect for its users. Choosing the right surroundings is also of main importance for the beneficial effect of the retreat. According to the Design for the mind manual it is important to provide spaces, that connect with nature as nature has shown to benefit the experience and mood.

Natural resilience, is the way nature overcomes the stress of ecosystem changes and, more importantly, climate change. Due to its close location to the coast, the site has shown to be in danger of flooding in the future. This allows for the strategies of mind resilience to be informed by and work cohesively with the resilience of nature by studying the ecosystem of the river closely and providing a space that teaches resilience, through creating a safe connection with a flood plain, but also revealing strategies for flood mitigation, sustainable water reuse, and wildlife habitats. As resilience is about taking a step forward into the future and being ready for the upcoming challenges, the role of the architecture is to create a safe space for both visitors and animals, while taking into account the flood and meandering water conditions, This gives the opportunity for the project to grow around the river and then retreat when the flood increases, leaving the biodegradable deck as part of nature. This project, therefore accommodates change over the next 100 years. Stressful environments include not only our connections and work, or home environment, but also the air we breathe, the water we drink.

The health of the environment is seen through the wildlife and the efficiency of the ecosystem. Contributing to a healthier future also effects our physical and psychological response. By fighting climate change and learning strategies to create a healthier and positive community alongside with nature, people who are exposed to stressful situations have a chance to focus on the moment, view the problem from a different perspective and become more resilient to future obstacles.