Navigating the Mental Landscape: Phenomenological Design for Community Spaces

Giovanna Makriniotis // Advisor: Marie Mastrobatistta

Navigating the Mental Landscape: Phenomenological Design for Community Spaces

In today’s fast-paced world, many young adults entering a new stage of independence experience heightened anxiety and isolation from their surrounding communities. My thesis explores how interior environments can support this transitional period by fostering emotional well-being and a sense of belonging. Focusing on post-college adults, my design prioritizes comfort and familiarity by drawing on residential cues that evoke the feeling of home. This approach creates a gentle, welcoming atmosphere that reduces the psychological barriers often associated with social spaces. Rooted in the principles of slow architecture, the design encourages users to move at their own pace, absorb their surroundings, and engage mindfully. Flexible zones accommodate varying comfort levels, offering options for solitude, casual interaction, or deeper connection. By creating spaces that feel safe, nurturing, and intuitively navigable, this project aims to bridge the gap between isolation and community and support mental health through thoughtful, human-centered design.