Emine Görgül, a researcher at Istanbul Technical University Department of Interior Architecture, took part as a researcher in a pioneering and socially beneficial research project that aims to improve the quality of mental health services through space design in her scientific career. In the project titled "Spatial evaluation of TRSM-Community mental health centers of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey and TRSM design guide proposal", she had the opportunity to deepen her researcher identity by taking responsibility in both analyzing the physical conditions of existing centers and creating a new design guide based on user experiences.

Within the scope of the project, the current spatial situations of Community Mental Health Centers (TRSM), which aim to reintegrate patients with severe mental disorders into society, were examined. Based on the inadequacy of the spatial definitions in the relevant directive of the Ministry of Health, Görgül carried out extensive field studies in two different TRSMs (Beylerbeyi and Sultanbeyli) in Istanbul. During this process, she conducted in-depth interviews with patients, their relatives, and healthcare staff, analyzing the effects of space on the healing process, productivity, and psychology.

"The design of a space directly shapes the mood and behavior of the people present. Especially in mental health centers, this effect increases exponentially. Listening to users' experiences in the field and understanding their connection with space took my scientific curiosity and human-oriented problem-solving skills to the next level. Transforming the qualitative data I collected into a concrete design guide that will improve a national health model strengthened my researcher identity on the axis of producing social benefit. The education I received at ITU was the basis for me to develop a solution to this complex problem with a methodological and analytical approach," says Görgül.

Emine Görgül, who undertook the lead of the project, not only filled an academic gap with her findings, but also presented a comprehensive design guide proposal that serves as a reference source for all existing and future TRSMs across Turkey. This guide includes concrete criteria on issues such as location, plan setup, lighting, color and security.

While ITU integrates the healing power of design into national health policies, it also gives our researchers like Emine Görgül the opportunity to make a lasting impact in the scientific world and public services. This project of Görgül is the product of an environment in which our university transforms scientific knowledge into a concrete public benefit.

Emine Görgül, a researcher at Istanbul Technical University Department of Interior Architecture, took part as a researcher in a pioneering and socially beneficial research project that aims to improve the quality of mental health services through space design in her scientific career. In the project titled "Spatial evaluation of TRSM-Community mental health centers of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey and TRSM design guide proposal", she had the opportunity to deepen her researcher identity by taking responsibility in both analyzing the physical conditions of existing centers and creating a new design guide based on user experiences.

Within the scope of the project, the current spatial situations of Community Mental Health Centers (TRSM), which aim to reintegrate patients with severe mental disorders into society, were examined. Based on the inadequacy of the spatial definitions in the relevant directive of the Ministry of Health, Görgül carried out extensive field studies in two different TRSMs (Beylerbeyi and Sultanbeyli) in Istanbul. During this process, she conducted in-depth interviews with patients, their relatives, and healthcare staff, analyzing the effects of space on the healing process, productivity, and psychology.

"The design of a space directly shapes the mood and behavior of the people present. Especially in mental health centers, this effect increases exponentially. Listening to users' experiences in the field and understanding their connection with space took my scientific curiosity and human-oriented problem-solving skills to the next level. Transforming the qualitative data I collected into a concrete design guide that will improve a national health model strengthened my researcher identity on the axis of producing social benefit. The education I received at ITU was the basis for me to develop a solution to this complex problem with a methodological and analytical approach," says Görgül.

Emine Görgül, who undertook the lead of the project, not only filled an academic gap with her findings, but also presented a comprehensive design guide proposal that serves as a reference source for all existing and future TRSMs across Turkey. This guide includes concrete criteria on issues such as location, plan setup, lighting, color and security.

While ITU integrates the healing power of design into national health policies, it also gives our researchers like Emine Görgül the opportunity to make a lasting impact in the scientific world and public services. This project of Görgül is the product of an environment in which our university transforms scientific knowledge into a concrete public benefit.

Emine Görgül, a researcher at Istanbul Technical University Department of Interior Architecture, took part as a researcher in a pioneering and socially beneficial research project that aims to improve the quality of mental health services through space design in her scientific career. In the project titled "Spatial evaluation of TRSM-Community mental health centers of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey and TRSM design guide proposal", she had the opportunity to deepen her researcher identity by taking responsibility in both analyzing the physical conditions of existing centers and creating a new design guide based on user experiences.

Within the scope of the project, the current spatial situations of Community Mental Health Centers (TRSM), which aim to reintegrate patients with severe mental disorders into society, were examined. Based on the inadequacy of the spatial definitions in the relevant directive of the Ministry of Health, Görgül carried out extensive field studies in two different TRSMs (Beylerbeyi and Sultanbeyli) in Istanbul. During this process, she conducted in-depth interviews with patients, their relatives, and healthcare staff, analyzing the effects of space on the healing process, productivity, and psychology.

"The design of a space directly shapes the mood and behavior of the people present. Especially in mental health centers, this effect increases exponentially. Listening to users' experiences in the field and understanding their connection with space took my scientific curiosity and human-oriented problem-solving skills to the next level. Transforming the qualitative data I collected into a concrete design guide that will improve a national health model strengthened my researcher identity on the axis of producing social benefit. The education I received at ITU was the basis for me to develop a solution to this complex problem with a methodological and analytical approach," says Görgül.

Emine Görgül, who undertook the lead of the project, not only filled an academic gap with her findings, but also presented a comprehensive design guide proposal that serves as a reference source for all existing and future TRSMs across Turkey. This guide includes concrete criteria on issues such as location, plan setup, lighting, color and security.

While ITU integrates the healing power of design into national health policies, it also gives our researchers like Emine Görgül the opportunity to make a lasting impact in the scientific world and public services. This project of Görgül is the product of an environment in which our university transforms scientific knowledge into a concrete public benefit.