capstone 21’

Project Brief

2020 was a whirlwind, as COVID-19 dramatically changed our lives. The familiar freedoms of social interaction, navigating public spaces, and working in shared environments quickly vanished, replaced by fear and uncertainty.

This shift in daily life, marked by social distancing and masks, was unprecedented. Yet, the far-reaching impacts of the pandemic, including a sharp rise in abuse cases, were even more troubling. With many confined to their homes, the situation for those living with abusers worsened. This became the foundation of my capstone project, focusing on the critical issue of intimate partner violence and looking for ways to create safe spaces for those enduring this.

The first step in developing my capstone was to deeply explore the users of the space and understand the intended audience. Months of research into the healthcare experience, particularly why many people avoid visiting the doctor or seeking medical care, fueled my determination to design a space that directly addresses those fears and reservations.

Beyond general avoidance of healthcare, I delved into more complex and pressing issues: gender discrimination within medical environments and the challenges faced by individuals experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). I aimed to understand what those enduring such circumstances truly need from a healthcare space. After narrowing in on the core issues, I identified the key user groups this project would serve and created user profiles to explore their needs such as their pains, gains, and tasks to inform the design process.

Despite their diverse backgrounds, these users shared common themes in what they sought from healthcare: support, community, empathy, and comfort.

This research led me to a central and powerful question that my capstone aims to explore: How might we transform healthcare into something people actually look forward to? Our health is one of our most valuable assets so shouldn’t we feel excited about taking care of it and becoming our healthiest, best selves?

The site selection was a pivotal part of the development of this capstone. I chose 1801 Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine (OTR), a four-story building located directly across from Findlay Market. This location was selected for several key reasons: its vibrant, community-focused atmosphere, proximity to various women’s centers in downtown Cincinnati, and the building’s abundant natural daylight and rich architectural character.

Once the site was chosen, I conducted a demographic analysis of the OTR neighborhood and compared it with data on intimate partner violence (IPV) to identify overlapping patterns. This helped further inform the direction of the project and reinforced the relevance of the site. I also created a site map to highlight the building and its surrounding context.

Given that the area is heavily retail-oriented, I saw an opportunity to integrate that energy into the design by using retail-inspired strategies as a means of engagement, connection, and familiarity for users of the space.

Now we arrive at the heart of the design, the culmination of all the research and foundational work. After months of exploration and refinement, I arrived at a clear and meaningful premise: Renewal. This capstone centers around the concept of renewal, a journey of starting fresh, healing, and reclaiming well-being.

Renewal is a women-centered health clinic designed to prioritize both physical and emotional care. Its mission is to create an environment where women feel empowered, supported, and at ease while addressing their health. The goal is to move beyond traditional clinical spaces by designing an experience that truly considers the comfort, dignity, and holistic heealth of women, ultimately transforming how healthcare is perceived and felt.

Creating spaces that feel warm, welcoming, and intentional was a core mission throughout this project. Each space is thoughtfully designed to draw users in through the use of raw and warm materials, integrated greenery, and carefully curated lighting, especially in how light interacts with surfaces to shape the overall experience.

The tall, open ceiling structure in the main gathering area becomes a defining architectural gesture, commanding attention and setting the tone for the space. Throughout the rest of the clinic, simplified yet intentional design moves are employed to create a calming, welcoming atmosphere to soothe rather than overwhelms the senses.