Congregational spaces

a. Dinning Area
b. Courtyard
c. Congregation Hall
d. Rooms for group session
e. Multi-functional hall
f. Upper terraces

Congregational spaces are probably the more important spaces within the building, as they allow the patients to apply their therapy and endure their suffering through interaction and moral support, which they share amongst each other and their family members if present.

courtyard:

The courtyard is of particular importance. It yields a safe outdoor place amidst the potentially "harmful" city, a place to meet, ponder, and relax, as well as an architectural planning device.

Sleeping quarters:

The provision of rooms usually only exists in Inpatient programmes, and in all frankness, I am not quite sure about such a programme, given my site context (the fact that the neighbouring building will house a nightclub). Furthermore, the concept of the rehab centre being based downtown is to encourage drop-ins and regular daily visits within one's mundane existence, versus the emersion of the individual in an idealised utopian paradise. However, I will still include for the time being.

dining area:

As a place for congregation, the dinning area allows for interaction. I am contemplating placing this particular function along the St. Laurent façade, that it may serve as a node between the centre and the outer world. This, I hope, would test their recovery and encourage their immunity against potential urges. I realize that this may be controversial, and remains as an idea.

counselling rooms:

Individual counseling is equally integral to the communal gathering in the treatment process. This is particularly relevant for certain sensitive professions (like the medical profession) whose professionals cannot expose themselves for issues of reputation.

congregation hall:

The congregational hall is particular in its nature. It can serve as a chapel, which welcomes religious authorities from all religions to address the patients, and aid in the treatment. Contrarily, it can serve as an auditorium possibly for educational and awareness purposes pertaining to drug dependence, which is for both the patients' and the public. Its neutrality and purity in form will resemble Eero Saarinen's chapel at MIT.

contemplative corners:

Last but not least is a most interesting element. Rather than allocating specific well-defined rooms for contemplation, I view them more as existing throughout the building as residual spaces which form part of circulation hallways for the most part. Those are not unlike Maki's crematorium (mentioned earlier in the precedent study), which are transition spaces that allow the visitor to ponder and reflect

group sessions:

The rooms for group sessions will exist in various forms. Some will have a classroom-type orientation; others a conference-type; and yet others, an informal gathering space, which can take place outside in the courtyard or inside in certain semi-defined spaces.

multi-functional hall:

The multi-functional hall is essential for carrying out many activities that cannot take place in small rooms intended for group sessions. Those vary from sports to relaxation exercises to workshops. I view this as the replacement of the vast outdoor expanses found in the typical "Villa model" rehab centre. Thus, it calls for the incorporation of provocative elements, which make it equally interesting and refreshing.

terraces:

Thus far in my calculation, I am not sure about the availability of space for terraces. But if so, they will exist as a vertical extension of the courtyard.