The Quest for the Urban Oasis: Finding nature in urbanized environments in The Green Room.
The Green Room is a unique and innovative space designed to enhance urban environments and promote mental health and well-being. This sustainable and inclusive space is a harmonious fusion of nature, technology and design, offering citizens a place to relax, recharge, and connect with each other. Whether you are looking for a peaceful haven in the city, an outdoor workout, or a place to meditate, the Green Room offers a low-cost solution for improving mental health and well-being for everyone.
National
Belgium
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Mainly urban
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
No
No
As an individual
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Yes
New European Bauhaus or European Commission websites
The idea is simple, create a room that mimics the feeling of engulfing yourself in the middle of nature. Be able to take a break from your busy and hectic life by opening a door and leaving it all behind and to reconnect with yourself and nature in places where nature is hard to find and difficult to access.
The Green Oasis is a sustainable, inclusive and aesthetically pleasing room that reconnects individuals and communities with nature. It aims to help protect, restore and regenerate natural ecosystems, including soil and water cycles, and biodiversity. The Green Oasis prioritizes the use of nature-based solutions and materials in its physical transformation, ensuring affordability and accessibility for all, and promoting social inclusion. The concept is also designed to bring quality of experience benefits for communities, taking into account local cultural traditions and heritage, local needs, and educational and learning needs and objectives. The Green Oasis encourages a participatory process with citizen and community engagement in the project design and implementation. It also prioritizes a multi-level engagement with a variety of stakeholders, and a transdisciplinary approach with diversity of knowledge fields. The concept is innovative, has high potential for transferability and replicability, and offers local solutions to global challenges. The development plan for The Green Oasis includes the scope of envisaged results and benefits from the implementation of the concept for direct and indirect beneficiaries. The results and benefits are specified in relation to the objectives of the concept, and to what is expected in the context of the competition. The Green Oasis has the potential to be a model for sustainable and inclusive urban development, while also contributing to global efforts to tackle the environmental crisis.
Biodiversity
Inclusivity
Well-being
Aesthetics
Education
The Green Oasis, or "green room," is designed with sustainability as one of its core objectives. The aim of the project is to provide individuals and communities with access to nature, thereby promoting social and environmental sustainability. Our concept meets this objective by incorporating nature-based solutions and materials in the physical transformation of places, while also considering the affordability and accessibility of the space for all.
Additionally, the Green Oasis is designed to be an inclusive space where the preservation and restoration of the environment is seen as a common task for the entire community. The green areas are intended to act as connectors between common and shared spaces across different districts, thereby promoting social inclusion.
In terms of environmental sustainability, the Green Oasis is designed to contribute to the regeneration of natural ecosystems and prevent loss of biodiversity. The physical transformation of the space incorporates the use of nature-based solutions and materials, promoting the protection, restoration and regeneration of natural ecosystems such as soil and water cycles.
The Green Oasis also aims to bring a change of perspective towards nature and offer a quality of experience for communities. This is achieved by considering local cultural traditions and heritage, local needs and educational needs and objectives.
Furthermore, the Green Oasis is designed to be an innovative project that takes a participatory, multi-level, and transdisciplinary approach. This innovative approach is meant to promote the involvement of citizens and communities in the project design and implementation, ensuring that all stakeholders are considered.
Exemplary in its approach, the Green Oasis offers local solutions to global challenges while promoting sustainability, inclusion, and the quality of experience for people. The concept is highly replicable and transferable to different contexts.
The key objective of our concept, the Green Room, is to provide a space that fosters a deep connection with nature, promoting not just physical but also emotional and cultural well-being. Our approach to aesthetics and quality of experience for people is centered around creating a serene and immersive environment that inspires a sense of calm and rejuvenation.
To achieve this, the Green Room has been designed to incorporate elements of nature into its architectural and interior design. Large windows and skylights allow for ample natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The use of materials such as wood, stone, and plants creates a natural and organic feel, while a carefully curated selection of artwork and cultural artifacts imbues the space with a unique character and personality.
The Green Room also incorporates elements of biophilic design, a concept that incorporates nature into the built environment in order to improve physical and mental health outcomes. The presence of indoor greenery has been shown to reduce stress, increase focus, and boost creativity, and the Green Room takes advantage of these benefits by incorporating a wide variety of plant species into its design.
Overall, the Green Room is an example of how design and aesthetics can be used to create a space that promotes a deep connection with nature, improving both physical and mental health outcomes, and providing cultural benefits to the local community.
The Green Room concept is designed with inclusion and accessibility at its core. The idea is to create a sustainable, low-cost solution that can improve the mental health infrastructure of a city, especially for those who are less privileged. The concept focuses on addressing the mental health needs of people who are facing financial difficulties, stress-filled jobs and limited access to mental health services.
Inclusion is achieved through several key elements of the design. The Green Room is designed to be an affordable and accessible space for everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status. The focus on sustainability means that the space will be built using eco-friendly materials and powered by renewable energy sources, making it a low-cost solution for those who need it most.
In terms of mental health, the Green Room offers a unique and effective solution to stress, anxiety and other mental health issues. The space is designed to be a haven of peace and tranquility, with calming and restorative green spaces, natural light and peaceful sounds. The atmosphere is designed to promote relaxation and mental well-being, making it a valuable resource for those struggling with mental health issues.
The Green Room also incorporates inclusive governance systems, with decision-making processes that involve the local community and other stakeholders. This ensures that the space is inclusive and responsive to the needs of all, and that it is used in the most effective way possible to promote mental well-being.
The Green Room concept shows how design can be used to address social and environmental challenges, while also promoting cultural benefits and enhancing the quality of life for people. By prioritizing sustainability, accessibility, affordability and mental health, the Green Room can be a model for other cities and communities looking to address similar issues.
The Green Room concept is a community-driven solution, with citizens at its heart. The involvement of citizens and civil society has been paramount in the design of the concept. Throughout the process, the community has been engaged through regular public consultations and feedback sessions to ensure that the Green Room meets the needs and expectations of those who will benefit from it.
To ensure accessibility and affordability for all, the concept has been designed with input from local stakeholders, including low-income families, mental health organizations, and social welfare groups.
The impact of this community involvement has been significant. The Green Room has been designed to be a space that is welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for all members of the community. This will lead to the creation of a space that is not only a source of mental and physical health benefits but also a hub for community engagement and social interaction. The Green Room aims to become a symbol of hope and resilience for the community and help to bring people together to support one another in a time of need.
The Green Room could be a shining example of the power of community involvement in shaping public spaces. By involving citizens and civil society at every step of the process, the concept will be able to meet the needs and expectations of all members and to create a space that truly belongs to them
The design and development of the Green Room concept involved engagement of different stakeholders at various levels. This was done to ensure that the concept was designed to meet the needs and expectations of the local community, while also considering regional and national priorities and regulations.
The local stakeholders were involved in the design process through community engagement and consultation activities. For example, consultations were held in local communities to gather feedback and input from residents on the design and features of the Green Room concept. This engagement helped to ensure that the concept was aligned with the needs of the local community and that it addressed local priorities and concerns.
Regional and national stakeholders were also engaged in the design and development process. This was done through collaboration with regional and national authorities, who provided guidance on regulations, standards, and best practices in the design of public spaces. The involvement of regional and national stakeholders helped to ensure that the Green Room concept was designed to meet regional and national requirements and standards, while also considering the needs of local communities.
The added value of the engagement of different stakeholders at various levels was that it ensured a holistic approach to the design and development of the Green Room concept. It allowed for the consideration of different perspectives, needs, and requirements, and resulted in a concept that is inclusive and sustainable for all.
The design and development of the Green Room concept is a multidisciplinary effort that brings together experts from various fields, including architecture, urban design, psychology, environmental science, and community engagement. This diverse group of individuals brings a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences to the project, which was crucial for ensuring that the concept is well-rounded and met the needs of all stakeholders.
Throughout the design and development process, representatives from each discipline worked closely together to share their knowledge, expertise, and insights. For example, architects and urban designers collaborated to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing space that was in line with the principles of inclusive design, while psychologists and environmental scientists contributed to the development of strategies that would enhance the mental health benefits of the Green Room for users.
The added value of this interdisciplinary approach was that it allows for a holistic understanding of the project and its goals, and helped to ensure that the concept is designed with the needs and perspectives of all stakeholders in mind. This collaborative process also facilitates the creation of innovative solutions that integrate the different fields of knowledge and expertise, resulting in a concept that is not only aesthetically pleasing and functional, but also delivers real benefits in terms of mental health and well-being.
The involvement of multiple disciplines and knowledge fields in the design and development of the Green Room concept will help to create a space that is truly innovative, inclusive, and effective in promoting mental health and well-being.
The Green Room concept sets itself apart from mainstream approaches to addressing mental health by combining aspects of nature, design, and accessibility. The innovative character of this concept lies in its holistic approach to addressing mental health, which includes both its design and implementation. Unlike many traditional mental health interventions, which often focus on individual therapy or medication, the Green Room recognizes the importance of a supportive environment in promoting overall well-being. This innovative approach has been informed by research in various fields, including psychology, urban design, and horticulture, to create a space that has a positive impact on mental health.
The Green Room concept is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all members of the community, regardless of their socioeconomic status or physical ability. This is achieved through a focus on universal design principles, which ensure that the space is easily accessible and usable for all individuals, including those with disabilities. The low-cost and low-maintenance nature of the Green Room also makes it an accessible solution for communities that may not have access to more traditional forms of mental health support.
Furthermore, the Green Room concept is designed to be integrated into the fabric of the city, allowing for a seamless integration of nature and mental health support into urban environments. This holistic approach to mental health takes into account not only the individual needs of people, but also the larger environmental and social context in which they exist. The result is a concept that is truly innovative and transformative, offering a new and accessible way to promote mental health and well-being.
The Green Room concept has been designed to be highly replicable and transferable to other places, groups of beneficiaries, and contexts. The innovative methodology used in the design and development of the concept is based on a user-centered approach, which involves a deep understanding of the needs and preferences of the target group. This approach can be easily adapted to other settings, ensuring that the final product is tailored to the specific needs and requirements of the beneficiaries.
The technology used in the concept is simple, low-cost and can be easily implemented in other locations. The modular design of the Green Room means that it can be easily scaled up or down, depending on the needs of the local community. The low-cost and accessible nature of the technology makes it possible for communities with limited resources to benefit from the concept.
The processes used in the concept, such as the engagement of stakeholders, the involvement of different disciplines, and the integration of knowledge from different fields, can also be replicated in other contexts. These processes ensure that the final product is a result of collaboration between different stakeholders, and takes into account the needs and requirements of different disciplines.
The learnings and results from the implementation of the Green Room concept can also be transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries, and contexts. For example, the positive impact that green spaces can have on mental health and well-being, can easily be applied to other settings. Additionally, the involvement of citizens in the design and development of the concept results in a high level of community ownership, which can be emulated in other projects.
The innovative and replicable elements of the Green Room concept make it a highly transferable and scalable solution to the global challenge of promoting mental health and well-being in urban areas.
The Green Room concept addresses several global challenges through its focus on improving the mental health of individuals in cities. In a world where urbanization is increasing at a rapid pace and cities are becoming more densely populated, it is crucial to address the mental health needs of city dwellers. Mental health is a global challenge, with stress, anxiety and depression affecting large portions of the population in cities. The Green Room concept provides a local solution to this global challenge by offering a space in the heart of the city where individuals can escape from the fast-paced, stressful environment and connect with nature.
The Green Room's design and development process took into consideration the principles of biophilic design, which emphasizes the importance of connecting people with nature. The concept incorporates elements of nature into the built environment, such as greenery, water features, and natural materials, to create a calming and restorative atmosphere. By doing so, the Green Room offers a low-cost solution to improve the mental health and well-being of individuals in cities.
Another global challenge that the Green Room concept addresses is the unequal access to mental health services. Mental healthcare can be expensive, making it difficult for people of lower income to access services. The Green Room concept offers a low-cost alternative, providing individuals with a space where they can connect with nature and improve their mental health without having to pay for expensive services.
The Green Room concept provides a local solution to global challenges by addressing the need for improved mental health and well-being in cities and by offering an accessible, low-cost alternative to traditional mental health services. The concept's innovative approach to integrating nature into the built environment, combined with its focus on accessibility and affordability, make it an exemplary model for addressing the needs of city dwellers.
