MONO NO AWARE - rehabilitation center for women survivors of violence.

AUAC / Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction

Project idea

The main idea of this diploma project is to define architecture not only as a tool for creating functional space, but also as a therapeutic environment that supports psychological and emotional recovery. The project proposes a next-generation rehabilitation center for a site located in Qala settlement, Baku, and is primarily designed to provide a safe, protective, and dignified environment for women survivors of violence.

The relevance of the project is connected to the continuing presence of violence against women, domestic abuse, psychological pressure, and social isolation in contemporary society. In such situations, the user needs more than temporary shelter; she needs an environment that helps restore daily routine, rebuild a sense of safety, and support a gradual return to social life. In this context, the project interprets rehabilitation not only through medical or social support, but also through architectural space.

The conceptual basis of the project is the idea of “architecture as therapy.” Within this approach, nature, light, scale, movement routes, courtyards, and landscape elements function as key architectural tools that influence the healing process. The project is also inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of the relationship between human beings, nature, and inner harmony. For this reason, the complex is not designed as a single rigid institutional block, but as a composition of human-scaled, interconnected pavilion-like volumes.

The main objective of the project is to create an architectural environment that supports women’s safety, privacy, psychological comfort, and social reintegration. To achieve this, the entrance and administrative block, consultation and therapy zones, residential units, communal and dining areas, as well as therapeutic landscape spaces are organized within one integrated system. In this way, the project aims to demonstrate that architecture can do more than provide shelter; it can also foster healing, stability, and dignity.

Project description

This diploma project covers the architectural solution of a next-generation rehabilitation center proposed for a site located in Qala settlement, Baku. The main focus of the project is the creation of a safe, protective, and therapeutic environment for women survivors of violence. The proposed complex is not limited to the function of temporary shelter, but also integrates a system of spaces that support the psychological, physical, and social recovery of its users.

Within the scope of the design solution, the functional structure of the complex is organized into several main components: the entrance and administrative block, consultation and therapy spaces, residential units, dining and communal areas, library, workshops, as well as outdoor landscape and recreation zones. These functions are resolved as interconnected parts of a unified architectural concept, while the users’ daily movement patterns and levels of spatial security are carefully considered.

In terms of spatial organization, the main principle of the project is not to create one large and rigid institutional building, but rather a composition of human-scaled, interconnected pavilion-like blocks. This approach allows for the creation of courtyards, green transitions, and open spaces closely related to nature. The master plan follows a gradient from public to private, where more general functions are placed closer to the entrance, while the more sensitive and protected spaces are located deeper within the site.

The landscape strategy is also an essential part of the architectural concept. Healing garden, labyrinth, playground, botanical garden, vegetable garden, footstone therapy zone, and rest areas are designed as outdoor extensions of the rehabilitation process. In addition, the project considers principles of inclusivity, natural daylighting, integration with the landscape, and climate-responsive planting.

Therefore, the scope of the project solution goes beyond the composition of buildings alone; it includes functional planning, architectural form, landscape integration, user scenarios, safety, privacy, and the creation of a therapeutic environment as interconnected design concerns.

Technical information

The functional program of the complex includes the entrance and administrative area, consultation and therapy blocks, residential units, dining and communal areas, library, workshops, and outdoor landscape zones. The spatial organization follows a gradient from public to private, with more general and open functions placed closer to the entrance, while the more sensitive and protected spaces are located deeper within the site. This strategy is used to ensure a clear and secure circulation system.

The residential blocks are primarily designed for women survivors of violence. In addition, secondary users such as mothers with children and accompanying minors are also considered. The residential component includes single rooms, double rooms, and mother-child rooms, together with common lounge spaces, kitchenettes, sanitary units, and support areas. The therapy component includes individual consultation rooms, group therapy spaces, a yoga studio, art workshop, quiet room, and other supportive functions.

From a structural point of view, the main load-bearing system of the complex is organized through a frame and column-based structure. Expansion joints are introduced between certain blocks, allowing the pavilions to function as separate structural systems. The blocks are functionally connected through passages, while remaining structurally independent. The roof design includes sloped roof planes and a raised central lighting element.

Principles of inclusivity are treated as essential technical requirements within the project. Step-free access, ramps, lifts, wide corridors, accessible sanitary units, and a comfortable movement system are integrated as part of the overall design. At the same time, natural daylighting, internal courtyards, connection with the landscape, and climate-responsive planting strengthen both the technical and architectural quality of the project.

The outdoor areas are designed as an extension of the therapeutic system. Healing gardens, walking paths, labyrinth, playground, botanical garden, vegetable garden, and rest zones are incorporated into the overall structure of the project as both functional and psychological support spaces. In this way, the technical specification of the project is directed toward the integration of architecture, structure, functional planning, and landscape into a unified environment.