The built environment in America has long been designed in ways that neglect—if not actively harm—Black health, reinforcing systemic disparities that leave Black Americans with fewer opportunities for physical activity, evoke generational trauma, and increase exposure to stress-inducing, unhealthy conditions. These environments offer no space for Black Americans to self-actualize and connect with their divine presence. My thesis aims to solve this problem by creating spaces that foster a holistic, healthy lifestyle for Black Americans by integrating physical fitness, mental well-being, and community engagement through culturally responsive design and biophilic elements. Addressing health disparities like hypertension and diabetes, this research envisions a “lifestyle club” that merges a multisport fitness complex with an outdoor fitness park, ensuring access to both indoor and outdoor wellness amenities.
Rooted In Wellness: Redesigning Black Health Through Culture, Community, and Sports
