Abigail Paden

Interior Design, 2019

The problem many homes face today is how income levels effect one’s mental health. During my research I discovered that being of a lower-income household can lead to many stressors in life, which can lead to an unhealthy mental state and even depression. In addition to the negative effects low-income can have on the individuals living in Franklinton, the community will also be losing Mount Carmel West, the local hospital, where individuals make seek therapeutic treatment and relief. Based on this research, I began to design a wellness center where community members can bring their anxiety, stress, and depression to get help alongside their neighbors facing similar problems.

Further research led me to device a wellness center that comes from a holistic standpoint rather than one focus. This center would administer therapy through many approaches such as mental, medical, physical, emotional, nutritional, and playful therapy. Focused on diminishing the stigma around mental health, this center welcomes the community with open arms and aims to create a safe space where individuals can express who they are in a judgment-free zone.

Abigail Paden is a graduating senior of the class of 2019, studying interior design at The Ohio State University. With a focus on sustainability and biophilia, Abigail hopes to use her design skills to improve users’ interactions with interiors and wayfinding. Passionate about the environment, Abigail aims to create interior projects that incorporate sustainable materials, as well as harnesses natural elements to the best of their ability.