A healthy oasis in the centre of Apeldoorn

Abstract

Without realising it, a building can have a lot of impact on user health. Using literature studies and interviews in two case studies, we looked at how physical elements in a building affect the user's experience. These physical elements are nature, material, air, light, dimensions, smell, sound and temperature. These interviews took place in shopping malls. As it happens, more and more shopping malls are becoming vacant. The design case for this project, the Oranjerie, also experienced this. Located in the city centre of Apeldoorn, this shopping mall has been battling this vacancy for ages. In this design, I propose adding more nature, applying healthy (bio-based) materials where necessary, reusing or recycling materials, connecting indoors with outdoors more, creating multiple meeting places and mixing different functions. By opening up the traffic area, but still keeping the roof, an adaptable space is created with a climate that changes throughout the seasons. Through these interventions, I hope to create a healthy environment where people feel comfortable and can meet. By creating multiple types of spaces, it creates a lively area where people can shop, live, eat or just unwind.