thesis - 2020 - పరము
Telugu for Trust…. “complete confidence in a person or plan.” The doctor-patient relationship is based on trust.
In the summer of 2015, Joanna Paidipamula was living with her family in the village of Akkireddigudem, India. She contracted an acute form of tonsillitis which led to bacteria quickly spreading throughout her body. Her condition rapidly deteriorated to the point that her heart stopped beating. She required immediate medical care and was rushed to the nearest medical clinic which was over an hour away. During the trip, she required mouth to mouth resuscitation as her conditions continued to worsen. Upon arriving at the medical center she was stabilized; however, it was too late. The bacteria had spread too far and she passed away days later. She left behind her husband Sunder and two children, Avadh and Anaya, whom I met this past October in their village.
In recent years, medical centers are being constructed within India in response to the shortages across its land. These newly constructed spaces address the needs of the people, like Joanna; however, many medical centers are designed by doctors who do not consider the patient experience.
Spaces innately have qualities that affect its occupants physically, emotionally and spiritually. Without being mindful of these effects, spaces can cause fractured experiences when they are designed in ways that reflect the opposite of their intentions.
Medical centers near the village of Akkireddigudem, India, provide essential healthcare, yet the designs of these spaces do not reflect the sense of trust that their services intend to create. Rather, these spaces often create an added sense of uncertainty which can lead to visitor apprehension or distrust.
The result of this thesis will be the construction of the Joanna Memorial Center in Akkireddigudem, India, which seeks to imbue trust through its gridded plan, the arugu, the haven, layered screens, authentic material, and shaded roof that encourages the seeking of its services for the immediate and surrounding villages.
THESIS AWARD