Yajna Fakir
Healing In Motion: Exploring architecture’s role in shaping spaces that nurture physical, emotional and cognitive wellbeing for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis through a rehabilitation centre in Benoni
Healthcare
Benoni, Gauteng
This research investigates how architecture can serve as a tool to support the diverse needs of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in terms of their physical, emotional and cognitive well-being. MS is a neurodegenerative condition whereby the immune system attacks and damages nerves of the body, disrupting brain-body communication, resulting in various symptoms (HopkinsMedicine, 2024). Over time, it affects mobility, cognition and daily function, making even simple tasks increasingly difficult.
The research intends to explore an architectural intervention that addresses the challenges faced by MS individuals by providing a space that goes beyond conventional medical treatment, focusing on alternative therapies and practices to address the condition’s multifaceted nature.
Although MS has no cure, architecture can help ease its weight through thoughtfully designed spaces that can restore dignity, facilitate movement and nurture wellbeing. While the condition remains, design can offer something just as lasting – comfort, independence and an improved quality of life.
