The overarching design strategy aimed to reflect the residential aesthetic of the nearby neighborhoods. This was achieved by implementing a front entrance to the building and a rear entrance to each courtyard. The use of earth tones for hardscaping materials, along with the incorporation of earth tones, was an effort to prevent excessive sensory stimulation. Ultimately, the design sought to evoke sensations of quiet, calm, and continuity (Marcus and Barnes, 1999). The purpose behind the courtyard spaces was to offer a visual and textural contrast to the regularity and dimensions of the buildings. Furthermore, there are courtyards connected to each distinct unit within the facility, as well as to the admission area and the cafeteria. These courtyards are tailored to cater to the specific patient population of the respective units, addressing their specific needs (e.g., some courtyards have larger space with more grass and less pavement to create a "backyard" feeling, while another courtyard has more paving and is filled with arbors and trees). 

The significance of the courtyards lies in their dedication to fostering an environment that embraces and utilizes outdoor spaces for therapeutic advantages, whether through passive or active means. Moreover, the courtyards reflects the initial phases of implementing a horticultural therapy program.

• • • The grounds are open to the general public, which has the potential to reduce societal fears regarding mental illness and cultivate a sense of shared ownership within the community. Nevertheless, even with careful consideration, this choice could potentially lead to challenges for both patients and staff, giving rise to concerns related to privacy and confidentiality.

    • Designing for the unique needs of patients in their respective units is feasible.

    • A successful design can consist of simple and low maintenance planting, along with deliberately utilizing non-toxic plant materials. 

For more information:

https://www.ontarioshores.ca/

Cooper Marcus. C. and M. Barnes. 1999. Healing Gardens. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Pg. 261-270.

The garden is surrounded by the buildings on two sides and is enclosed by fences on the other two sides, separating it from a street and a parking lot. It offers a residential-scale atmosphere with lush greenery and vibrant colors. Several large trees, including a cedar and two Monterey pines, provide shade to the space. The garden features five lawn areas, bordered by concrete pathways and flower beds. While most paths are designed for easy and direct pedestrian movement, one is made of decomposed granite, and another is created with wooden "steppingstone" blocks for casual strolling through a garden bed with shrubs and flowers (Marcus and Barnes, 1999). The garden emanates a sense of love and care in its maintenance, with creative features such as arranged tree stumps bordering the flower beds, an arbor made from nearby tree branches, and strategically placed rocks among the perennials. In addition, the presence of various annuals adds to its vibrant appearance.

In 1994, a portion of the garden was transformed into a more formal sculptural area called "Companion Place." It includes a curvilinear path, granite seating blocks, and formal flower beds with African marigolds and lobelia. The garden overall has a casual, "country cottage" appearance, with a blend of formality (Marcus and Barnes, 1995).

The project succeeded in bringing about a significantly positive shift in the emotional well-being of most individuals who spent time in it. People leaving the hospital or returning to work in the hospital reported feeling less stressed, invigorated, and generally more content. Furthermore, the garden's social aspects were highly valued as it served as a meeting place for support groups from various clinics and was also casually utilized by patients. Many of those interviewed, whether they were hospital staff, for whom the garden was dedicated, or outpatients from the methadone and HIV clinics, affectionately regarded this garden as "their own" (Marcus and Barnes, 1995).

• • • The garden's environment evokes a sense of personal ownership, encouraging the users to consider it their own special sanctuary. Numerous individuals have expressed deep connections and emotions through this garden, particularly in relation to its memorial component.  They view it as a secure space where they can freely express their emotions, including crying, as documented in Laurie Barkin's memoir "The Comfort Garden: Tales from the Trauma Unit."

    • The residential scale of the garden, smaller benches designed to match the garden's scale and create an intimate atmosphere,  along with  the colorful planting that changes through the seasons, all plays an important role in enhancing the psychological comfort experienced by its users.

    • The gardeners have a significant role in the design (maintenance), as they are responsive to both the needs of the people and the plants (e.g. donated plants, "scavenged" materials).

For more information:

Barkins, Laurie. 2012. The Comfort Garden: Tales from the Trauma Unit. San Francisco: Fresh Pond Press.

Cooper Marcus. C. and M. Barnes. 1999. Healing Gardens. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Pg. 176-181.

https://www.peterrichardsart.com/companion-place.html

This building incorporates natural spaces into hospital compound that helps to achieve effective sensory-based therapeutic treatment that has been proven to give lot of advantages to the human mind and body. After a few considerations based on the patients’ conditions and the layout of the space, the project participants decided that the existing fruit trees may greatly help in sensory treatments. The garden is also equipped with three workspaces that are connected to each other by a walking trail. The design approach allows occupants to experience variety of smells, colors, and textures during their visit in the healing garden (Truffa, 2021).  

Truffa (2021) stated that the garden also consists of an area with lavender and pomegranate plants for hands-on exploration, a space for horticultural therapy and workshops. Visitors can participate in the harvesting plants and also witness the life cycle of the plants. This physical interaction provides an educational experience, and it helps in developing their sensory and motor skills.

The spatial connection between the building and the garden allows the patient to interact directly with the trees, flowers, and bushes. This interaction effectively reduces stress. These activities can be a helpful distraction for patients and contribute to their quicker recovery.  The design of the garden is not bounded in a greenery notion, but the space accommodates significant activities such as bird viewing, planting, walking, and watering the plants. These activities can distract the patients and allow them to recover instantly.

The space and the garden have provided:

• • • A space that provide personal attachments (experience and secure atmosphere),

    • View to nature scenes,

    • Contact to outside environment,

    •  Environment that accommodate patients with declining visual, auditory, and kinesthetic senses.

For more information:

Healing Gardens: Nature as Therapy in Hospitals by Truffa, L

https://www.archdaily.com/972112/healing-gardens-nature-as-therapy-in- hospitals

https://valparaisoinforma.com/noticias/vuelve-la-campana-del-panal-del-sanatorio-maritimo-san-juan-de-dios/

The garden provides a new healing area for patients who have limited outdoor access due to mobility or health issues. Each patient room offers a view of the garden, enhancing its healing impact. Natural light and elements like water contribute to the well-being of patients and staff.

The garden exemplifies how to make a space functional for patients in wheelchairs, with features like wide areas to turn, and raised beds. It also demonstrates how to create distractions from physical issues, like fountains for soothing sights and sounds, plants that attract birds and butterflies, and vertical greenery. Additionally, the garden showcases ways to encourage social interaction, with seating at wheelchair-friendly heights.

• • •  Water features, natural light, and different types of surfaces highlights the significance of incorporating diverse sensory and textural elements into the garden design. 

    • The courtyard views from patient rooms and ensuring the garden can be seen from various points promote positive mental states and contribute to the healing process.

    • The courtyard spaces with various surfaces, steps, and ramps offers therapists the opportunity to engage patients in activities that support their recovery and rehabilitation, aligning the garden with the hospital's therapeutic goals.

For more information:

https://news.christianacare.org/2014/07/healing-garden-dedicated-at-wilmington-hospital/

https://raslainc.com/project/christiana-care-wilmington-hospital-healing-garden/#info

https://thefield.asla.org/2019/02/21/nature-healing-and-creativity/