The design for the OU Health and Wellness Center starts with a focus on psychological comfort. With an abundance of wood, a natural atmosphere is created and anchored by large concrete bearing walls and exposed steel structure- heavy elements are used in order to help the visitor feel safe and fortified. The structure is honest with the inhabitant- by having no unknowns, there is a certainty and peace of mind given to users of the building. There is a radial organization of spaces, implemented to separate the different programmatic and inspired by themes of centering and radiating taken from yoga. This gives the opportunity for each area of the building to have a different experience depending on the use. The placement of these spaces are decided by viewports into and through the site, making it so every building will frame certain chosen views to add quality to each space. Parking is relatively far from the structure and forces the visitor to experience the site. The entry raises the visitor to the second and top floor initially and only forces visitors to the ground floor for activities that require it. Lodging is separated into group and individual areas in order to accommodate different stays.
