Mohammed Abushaban

Design for well-being: Enhancing the Workspace through dynamic & disorienting Architectural Elements

My graduation project investigates how architectural elements can be designed to enhance well-being and sensory engagement in workspaces for architects. Inspired by personal experiences in uninspiring office environments, the project seeks to reimagine workspace design to actively stimulate mental senses, foster a sense of ownership, and facilitate communication.

The project is structured around three key themes:

1. Well-being: Reflective, semi-transparent materials are used to create layered visual experiences that sharpen mental senses. By distorting scale and depth, the reflective surfaces compel users to engage more actively with their surroundings, aligning with Attention Restoration Theory (ART).
2. Workplace Design & Ownership: Flexible, movable components inspired by Arakawa and Gins’ Reversible Destiny encourage users to modify and personalize their workspace. Semi-transparent partitions allow for spatial adaptation, fostering a sense of control and connection to the environment.
3. Reflective Engagement for Communication: Reflective surfaces strategically placed throughout the space create visual connections between different zones, subtly linking isolated areas and encouraging visual communication.

The design process employed a research-by-making approach, using physical models and material studies to refine each theme. The final design intervention features a rotating installation composed of semi-transparent reflective sheets that distort scale and perspective, breaking visual monotony and creating a dynamic, ever-changing spatial experience.

Ultimately, the project contributes to the discourse on workspace design and mental well-being, offering a framework for using sensory engagement and spatial adaptability to create more stimulating and responsive work environments. 

I am an architect passionate about technology, technical details, and video games, striving to integrate these interests into my architectural work. Having lived in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe, I've gained exposure to diverse cultures and architectural styles, which has broadened my perspective. I'm always eager to learn new methods, develop skills, and stay updated with thelatest trends. I strive to be objective and unbiased in my approach, constantly seeking to evolve both personally and professionally.