Skoon (project overview & outline)

Skoon is a stress relief facility. It will be located at Zayed University, Dubai. The space will be restricted to faculty and junior/senior students only. The users are narrowed to these three groups, as they are the ones mostly in need for such a facility because of their stressful schedules and workload. Skoon could be described as a haven, retreat, and sanctuary for those who really want to take a break away from their busy lives and indulge themselves in a relaxing and soothing environment. The main goal behind the project is to relax the users and reduce their stress levels in order for them to be more productive in their jobs/studies.

Skoon will be divided into different zones each with its different purpose. Color psychology will be taken into consideration in this project as it has a great impact on the people’s moods and emotions. The style of the space will merge between the “retro style” and “nature”.


Idea behind the name:
• Skoon is an Arabic word which means serenity, in other words it’s the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
• I choose this name as it reflects the idea of the inner peace and calmness that the users of the space would feel as they enter and engage themselves with the facilities provided in the space.

The purpose behind the idea of “Skoon”:
• Reducing the faculty and student’s stress levels
• Enabling them to energize themselves through using the facility to increase their productivity.
• Creating a personal space for the faculty members away from students within the facility itself

Clients:
• Zayed University’s faculty and senior/junior students.
• Those of them who feel stressed.
• Their age group varies starting from 18 years up to their early 50’s.
• The majority of my clients are students.

Skoon’s space divisions:
1) Game area
• The games will be decided based on the results of the survey

2) Relaxation area
• Head and shoulder massages
• Yoga and Pilates classes
• Using music and imagery for relaxation

3) Reading area
• A calming and relaxing space with adequate lighting for reading.

4) Seating areas (2 different settings)
• A space where friends could meet and socialize.

5) TV area
• A seating area with a large screen for playing movies, shows, or important sports events

6) Juice and snack bar
• Freshly squeezed juices and healthy snacks will be served.

* I’ll take into consideration that the faculty members need some privacy so some areas would be private for faculty members only.

Case Studies:
• Virgin Atlantic lounge at Heathrow airport
• Google
• ZU’s campus facilities

Observations:
• Zayed University’s facilities such as the Atrium, Coffee Bean, and the cafeteria.
• Take photographs

Surveys:
• Distributing a survey to students and faculty from different colleges.

Theme:
• Creating a space that merges between elements from “nature” and the “retro style”.
• Green design

Retro Style:
• Research in depth about the retro style

Inspirations:
• Research about designers that would inspire me.
• Research about designers that have designed “retro style” interiors.

Inventory of FF&E

Points for research:
• Music therapy
• Stress
• Yoga
• Pilates
• Stress management
• Relaxation techniques
• People’s psychology
• Color psychology
• Moods
• Reducing stress from poor ergonomics
• Natural light
• Imagery-mental stress reduction
• Involving the 5 senses
• Signage design
• Lighting