Meditation Interiors: Exploring Spatial Qualities for Well-Being and Spirituality

The relationship between interior space qualities and well-being is being understood as consequential and reciprocal. On the one hand, the place has been demonstrated to have a strong psychological and physiological effect; on the other hand, feelings and human experience play a significant role in what individuals perceive to be efficient design. However, such research on well-being is predominately concerned with the health and work environments, and partial to more general features such as accessibility, comfort, or positive distraction. This thesis aims to bring well-being and spirituality to the foreground, including the spiritual relation with physical space into the discussion, and produce a framework for design thinking that includes a broad list of concerns, qualities, principles and approaches relevant to the construction of appropriate spatial identity and atmosphere. Hence, the focus is on the framework for meditation interiors, recreation, and spiritual experience where these qualities are desired. The main research questions of this study are; which features, elements, or qualities of interior space may be most effective in experience with respect to well-being and spirituality? What may be the physical features or qualities of interior architecture or space for healing and well-being? Accordingly, this study has a qualitative methodology. To extend understanding of the qualities that underlie the healing potential of interior architecture or space, it surveys relevant theoretical sources for clues on the concept of well-being and spirituality in correlation with the experience of space/place. Furthermore, in order to obtain the principal features of spatial identity and atmosphere for spirituality, along with design tools and principles contributing towards it, the study surveys architectural theoretical sources and conducts a brief overview of traditional meditation or religious interior spaces. Finally, it focuses on the spatial analysis of contemporary meditation interiors chosen from selected practice examples of the world. This thesis does not address the full scope and possibilities that architectural space may present for the experience of well-being or spirituality. However, it offers inception – an initial and broad list of concerns, qualities, principles, design approaches, and criteria that address the constitution of spatial identity and atmosphere for spirituality. In this respect, it is a pilot study for frameworks and is open to further refinement. Nevertheless, research on such potentials of space do have broader significance and implementation in places like spas, elderly homes, schools, and other public and private institutions. Keywords: Meditation Interiors, Spiritual Practices, Space Quality, Healing, Well- Being, Interior Space