̶d̶̶i̶̶s̶ Abled: A Salutogenic Approach to Design for the Enhancement of the ADA Design Standards in the Built Environment for the Positive Impact on Mental Health of its Inhabitants

Alternative Title

Disabled: A Salutogenic Approach to Design for the Enhancement of the ADA Design Standards in the Built Environment for the Positive Impact on Mental Health of its Inhabitants

Author

• Amy Mueller

Files

Date of Award

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/29830

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Rights

NDSU Policy 190.6.2

URI

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Abstract

Physical and mental health encompass the overall well-being of a person. However, people seem to immediately observe the physical health of others in society while the concept of “mental health” is left unspoken. The very foundation of the ADA Design Standards used by architects utilize guidelines for those with physical disabilities yet are missing the application of assisting those with mental illness. Consider a bottom-up approach of design that incorporates elements friendly to the psychological side of design. The overarching premise of this project emphasizes that architecture can positively impact the mental health of people and how improved design standards can be applied to building typologies. Inductive logic and the use of qualitative research helps define a causal relationship between the built environment and its psychological effect on mental health. Precedent case studies and combined strategies guide design elements that correlate with mental health to be implemented into the built environment of differing typologies.

Recommended Citation

Mueller, Amy, "̶d̶̶i̶̶s̶ Abled: A Salutogenic Approach to Design for the Enhancement of the ADA Design Standards in the Built Environment for the Positive Impact on Mental Health of its Inhabitants" (2019). Architecture Theses. 613.
https://digitalcommons.ndsu.edu/architecture-theses/613