Architects Stephanie Davidson and Georg Rafailidis of Berlin practice Touchy-Feely have designed heated protrusions from a wall to assist in muscle-tension relief.

The rounded, plaster forms can be incorporated into a plastered wall surface at any height and are heated to body temperature from behind.

Developed in collaboration with massage therapists, the protrusions can be used to manipulate trigger points in parts of the the body such as shoulders, neck and knees.

This technique is used in the treatment of ailments such as nausea, fatigue and addiction.

"The mouldings encourage heightened, physical interactions between bodies and architectural surfaces," say the designers.

Touchy-Feely is a branch of Davidson Rafailidis architects. Here's some more information from them:

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Trigger Point Mouldings, Stephanie Davidson & Georg Rafailidis / Touchy-Feely
touchy-feely.net

Trigger Point Mouldings are rounded fibrous plaster forms that can be integrated into a wall surface. As suggestive protrusions, the mouldings encourage heightened, physical interactions between bodies and architectural surfaces, and suggest that buildings can perform, or intimate towards the necessary work of massage therapists. Heating elements inserted into the backs of the plaster protrusions warm the forms to body temperature and assist in muscle tension relief. As warmed wall areas, the protrusions create a gentle threshold between body and building.

Massage therapists commonly work to access and manipulate multiple trigger points in the body found in the shoulders, neck, knees, etc as a means of aiding such diverse ailments as nausea, quitting smoking, colds, fatigue, sexual problems, etc. Touchy-Feely worked in consultation with massage therapists to develop forms of an appropriate depth and shape to facilitate self-trigger point massage. The mouldings can be installed easily into any new or existing drywall or plastered wall surface at any desired height or in any density/pattern.