The Labyrinth of the Mind: Exploring the Five Stages of Grief through Interior Architecture

Abstract

Since the 1930’s, New Zealand has seen a dramatic rise in psychological disorders such as paranoia, depression, anxiety, and addiction. People in general are often too caught up in their own lives to acknowledge what is happening around them, which hinder them from recognising those who suffer from these disorders. Psychological disorders come in different levels; some are subtle whilst others are extreme. Thus, arises the problem of how the experience of a psychological disorder can be presented and explored in an alternative manner. My thesis explores the subject of ‘grief’ and interpret the ‘Five Stages of Grief’ formulated by Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in her book On Death and Dying through experiential means of interior architecture. The five stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance – are critically examined and presented as a narrative for the general people to experience and allow them to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological implications of grief through the proposed intervention. Through the methodology of narrative design, the intricate experience of psychological disorders are illustrated spatially in a meaningful way and in turn encourage empathy.

My thesis aims to provide various interior design explorations that demonstrates appropriate spatial qualities for each of the stages of grief. This involves manipulation of different sensory elements such as form and light. Various sensory elements influence the state of mind of an environmental observer, which results to difficulty in understanding an affective experience.

To conclude, my thesis proposes five experiential spaces that represent the five stages of grief within the boundaries of Mount Crawford Prison. Through manipulation of light and form, five experiential spaces will be proposed to allow people gain an emotional understanding of the psychological implications of grief.