Veteran’s Center: An Index Of Healing Spaces Geared At Veterans’ Trauma Healing | Bachelors Design Project On Healthcare Architecture

Site Context

The rural farming town of Kopychyntsi in western Ukraine has become a place of refuge for both veterans and internally displaced individuals. Amid an ongoing war with no end in sight and gradual urban expansion from nearby cities, the veterans center serves as a vital support hub for local and visiting veterans coping with trauma.

Design Process

The design process involved exploring different forms through a series of model iterations. The model was built entirely without the use of computer-aided fabrication tools such as laser cutters, 3D printers, or CNC machines. All components—including aluminum, plexiglass, and wood—were manually cut by hand. Cast elements like Rockite and resin were formed using foam molds shaped with a hot wire foam cutter.

Final Outcome

The project aims to create a supportive, healing environment for veterans by thoughtfully integrating public, semi-private, and private spaces. It seeks to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, provide safe spaces for recovery, and foster community through careful spatial design.

The design focuses on the combination of public, semi-public/private, and private spaces—creating a seamless connection between interior and exterior. These zones are carefully layered to support different levels of access and privacy. The careful balance between these levels is expressed through the use of repeated architectural elements.

The model showcases a section of the project where public (exterior landscape and walkway), semi-public/private (veteran art therapy gallery), and private (veteran therapy rooms) spaces intersect. These repetitive structural elements obscure views from oblique angles while allowing visibility when approached directly, creating a dynamic experience of openness and seclusion depending on one’s position.

Conclusion: Ultimately, the project provides a physical and emotional refuge for veterans, integrating public, semi-private, and private spaces that support healing and mental health. Through thoughtful spatial sensitivity it creates a restorative environment that promotes a sense of belonging and care.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]