International Journal of Landscape Planning and Architecture
Women-Centric Healing Retreat Architecture: Translating Emotional, Social, Psychological, and Cultural Needs into Spatial Design
Department of Architecture, Symbiosis Skills and Professional University, Pune, India
Abstract
This study investigates how the emotional, social, psychological, and cultural needs of women can inform the architectural design of healing retreat environments. Women often experience distinct pressures related to safety, emotional labour, social responsibilities, cultural expectations, and personal well-being, which can influence how they perceive and use spaces. Despite the growing interest in wellness architecture, many healing environments continue to follow gender-neutral approaches and may not adequately respond to women’s specific needs for privacy, autonomy, emotional comfort, safety, and supportive social interaction. The research adopts a qualitative methodology comprising a literature review, semi-structured interviews, an online questionnaire survey, and analysis of five women-centric therapeutic retreat case studies. Primary data were collected from 51 female respondents aged 20–55 years from diverse socio-cultural and occupational backgrounds. The collected data were examined through thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns in women’s spatial preferences, daily challenges, perceptions of safety, and expectations from healing environments. The findings indicate that women strongly prioritize safety, privacy, autonomy, emotional comfort, and a meaningful connection with nature. Quiet spaces for reflection, supportive social zones, opportunities for creative self-expression, and culturally sensitive design elements were identified as important contributors to psychological and emotional well-being. The study also highlights the need for a balanced spatial relationship between solitude and community interaction, allowing users to choose between personal retreat and social engagement according to their emotional needs. Based on these findings, the study proposes gender-responsive design strategies including biophilic design, safe and legible circulation systems, private-to-public spatial zoning, transitional spaces, sensory comfort, and culturally respectful planning. These strategies provide an architectural framework for creating healing retreat environments that support emotional balance, empowerment, autonomy, and holistic well-being for women.
Key Words: Women-centric design, Wellness architecture, Healing retreats, Gender-responsive spaces, Holistic well-being
References (1)
- 1. Gesler WM. Healing places. Lanham (MD): Rowman & Littlefield; 2003. 2. Kellert SR. Nature by design: the practice of biophilic design. New Haven (CT): Yale University Press; 2018. 3. Rodríguez-Labajos L, Kinloch J, Grant S, O’Brien G. The role of the built environment as a therapeutic intervention in mental health facilities: a systematic literature review. HERD. 2024;17(2):281-308. doi:10.1177/19375867231219031. 4. Song S, Tu R, Lu Y, Yin S, Lin H, Xiao Y. Restorative effects from green exposure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(21):14506. doi:10.3390/ijerph192114506. 5. Navarrete-Hernandez P, Vetro A, Concha P. Building safer public spaces: exploring gender difference in the perception of safety in public space through urban design interventions. Landsc Urban Plan. 2021;214:104180. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104180. 6. Mahadevia D, Lathia S. Women’s safety and public spaces: lessons from the Sabarmati Riverfront, India. Urban Plan. 2019;4(2):154-168. doi:10.17645/up.v4i2.2049. 7. Sadeghi AR, Baghi ESM, Shams F, Jangjoo S. Women in a safe and healthy urban environment: environmental top priorities for the women’s presence in urban public spaces. BMC Womens Health. 2023;23:163. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02281-8. 8. Oostermeijer S, Brasier C, Harvey C, Hamilton B, Roper C, Martel A, et al. Design features that reduce the use of seclusion and restraint in mental health facilities: a rapid systematic review. BMJ Open. 2021;11(7):e046647. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046647. 9. Zhong W, Schröder T, Bekkering J. Biophilic design in architecture and its contributions to health, well-being, and sustainability: a critical review. Front Archit Res. 2022;11(1):114-141. doi:10.1016/j.foar.2021.07.006. 10. Moonen MSR. (Wo)Man-Made public space: the design changes needed to create gender-inclusive cities. J Public Space. 2024;9(1):25- 42. doi:10.32891/JPS.V9I1.1810. 11. Lewis R, Sharp E, Remnant J, Redpath R. ‘Safe spaces’: experiences of feminist women-only space. Sociol Res Online. 2015;20(4):105-118. doi:10.5153/sro.3781.