El Cajon Live Well Center

This project was one of two winners in a studio wide design competition. It was awarded with a small scholarship and recognition by the architect sponsor Anders Lasater.

The health and well-being of building’s users within the concept of architecture is not a new concept but is a necessary concept. This idea applies within all avenues of architecture, but it is especially important within the realm of a Live Well Center. It becomes crucial to include this ideology within a building of this type to maximize the use of not only its user interaction but also the potential of the programmatic spaces.

In the case of the East Region Live Well Center, the location of the project has the potential for views extending out from the site and the need for a natural environment connection. The external views are located at a distance from prominent corners of the site and will be utilized in a way to enhance the user experience within the building design. The natural environments in the immediate surroundings of the site are lacking, allowing this project to fill the void of a necessary part of the human healing process, a connection to nature.

As the views from the site and the natural environment become more apparent, individuals will become more aware of their whole being, allowing themselves to heal mind body and soul. The views will bring users from their current capacity to a point of realization of something that is beyond their state of being. The natural connection will root the user experience in a promise of growth and life while also improving the emotional journey that will be embarked upon.

This live well center is designed in such a way that allows the user to focus on a journey that funnels them from their current state of being to something that is beyond themselves, guiding the healing process of the wholeness of their being.