All design processes follow a chronological order. However, just like with everything in life, before we start walking and following the steps we must know the direction we are headed and understand our objectives. When it comes to therapeutic gardens it begins with knowing the definition of what a therapeutic garden is and then to explore and understand the needs and the interests of our users.
Image 1. Design process. Elaborated by Jardines Terapéuticos.
Of the three examples that follow, the first comes from the American Horticulture Therapy Association (AHTA) and is the most widely accepted definition of Healing Gardens. The second is redacted by Jardines Terapéuticos (JTP) in Spain and the third is defined by the Spanish Association of Horticulture Therapy.
“Entorno dominado por plantas, diseñado con el objetivo de facilitar la interacción con los elementos curativos de la naturaleza.”
(AHTA)
“The therapeutic garden is a space with two protagonists: the visitor/user and nature. The features and elements of the garden support and motivate people.”
(JTP)
“A garden is therapeutic when it has been designed to address the needs of a specific group of persons. The design is adapted to the goals of the participants and to facilitate interaction between people and plants.”
(AEHJST).
The difference between a therapeutic garden and a park or a green space for walking, sport and general enjoyment is the rich variation in content, both in the variety of plants and other elements (pavement, planters, pergolas and fountains). The reason for integrating this mix of elements in the same garden is to be able to incorporate them into the programming of therapies and physical exercises. The design challenge is to bring all the elements of interest together to form a pleasant and harmonious environment throughout the seasons, while at the same time being universally accessible and enabling, i.e., reinforcing people’s abilities. An ability-strengthening space includes functionality, aesthetics and historical and cultural context. Design is fundamental because it is the foundation on which therapies are built.
Evidence based research has been conducted on therapeutic gardens, this means the design and therapy conducted in the garden has been evaluated and validated by scientific research and publications. One of the pioneer references is «Healing Gardens» by Clare Cooper Marcus and Marni Barnes. The box below shows two references to the scientific concepts and theoretical characteristics of therapeutic gardens.
The supportive garden theory (Ulrich,1999) is based on four fundamental resources to reduce stress and improve well-being:
- Sense of control and access to privacy
- Social support
- Exercise and physical movement
- Access to nature and other positive distractions.
Not all gardens will be therapeutic. In research by P,Grahn and Stigsdotter (2009) at Alnarp SLU, it was found that there are 8 important dimensions (qualities) that people seek in nature:
- Peace, tranquility and being cared for
- Wild nature without human intervention
- Richness of species and variety
- A space that looks like a different world apart
- Openness, a green field that invites to activity
- Protected, a hidden place to be alone
Content of the Healing Gardener Curriculum
The Manual is written for anyone interested in establishing and maintaining a therapeutic garden, from tutors to persons with different types of disabilities to the end users of the gardens. For this reason, the manual tries to avoid jargon and technical language as far as possible
The intention of the Manual is to describe the methodology/the special considerations when designing a therapeutic garden. It is not intended to be a detailed construction manual. It is possible to use the Manual as a step by step guide but knowing that there will be information missing. For example: It is important to determine whether your site needs drainage for the user’s comfort, but there will not be a guide on how to construct drainage, as this is a subject well known in any garden construction manual, not only for therapeutic gardens.
A designer usually works with plans/drawings and all the interventions planned are to be found in a detailed scaled drawing. This step could be completely jumped over as all measures and drawings could be done directly on ground. If the garden project is very big, more than 1000 m2, it is recommended to ask for help when drafting architectural drawings.
The balance between providing a comprehensive guide and directing the tutors to more substantial, detailed, and technical sources is not easy. The hope is that this manual provides the basics and gives information about further sources for those interested in establishing a therapeutic garden.
The design modules
«Four modules – hundreds of therapies» is the motto of the Palmlof therapeutic gardens. The four modules are a way of designing the garden to facilitate the structuring in different spaces or zones, and to group the outdoor therapies in a way that offers the most benefits. Depending on the needs of the group, these four modules can be increased to many more, for example, a motor skills module, a relaxation/mindfulness module, and contemplative module, etc.
1. The Courtyard of the Senses= Sensory Module
2. The Tree= Horticultural Therapy Module
3. The Circuit= Physical Activity Module
4. The Forest of Memories= Reminiscence Module
The following is a brief introduction of the interaction of the module with the therapy:
A. Sensory Module.
The module contains a variety of smaller perennial plants at different heights that stimulate our senses. Raised beds make it easier to care for, harvest and enjoy their olfactory sensation. Their different aromas are used in relaxation exercises and for making teas and soaps. There are aromatic plants at ground level to enjoy the smells when you step on them, or shrubs when you rub them with your hands or legs. There are also a variety of textures found throughout the module: the soft petals of roses or the rough bark of the sturdy tree are just some examples which help us become aware of the present and give us plenty of material to incorporate into craft activities.
B. Horticultural Therapy Module
The concept of horticultural therapy is a well-developed topic in literature and in projects all over the world and for this reason we will come back to this module in many sections like the chapter “plants” and also in the methodology. In this space we can find different raised beds, water tap, small green houses, a place to store the tools and places to sit down and rest after an intensive activity. Normally it is a big area with hard pavements so everyone can move around and take care of the vegetables, flowers, and fruits.
C. Physical Activity Module
Consists of a free-form enclosed pathway accompanied by a handrail to provide safety for walking and balance exercises. In the middle is a meadow for the use of yoga, tai chi, relaxation, and sports games. There is also a slope for challenges such as leg and foot strengthening exercises. Everything is designed for moderate to mild exercise and the planting at the side of the path encourages the training. Ideally, the space is complemented by various sports equipment such as rubber bands, balls, spades, etc.
D. Reminiscence module.
The module is linked to the horticultural therapy. Here we find several trees which contain fruits or crops associated to the historical and cultural origin of the region, such as olive, fig, vine and hazelnut trees in Spain. Elements such as a wall, a fence, a well, are introduced for the cultural recognition of the geographical area. The aim is to introduce elements that inspire discussions, such as a weather station, bird houses, harvesting tools, etc. We want to stimulate positive memories and subjects for new dialogs.
Apart from the stimulation and motivation provided by the plants and the different elements, it is important that the design conveys comfort to the user. There should be a bench or a railing when needed, shade when the sun is scorching and a pavement where there is no risk of slipping or glare. Physical challenges should be appropriate for each space and there should always be accessibility for all, regardless of physical and cognitive abilities. By thinking about every detail of the design, the autonomy of the people is optimized.
The Therapeutic Garden is a living and changing garden where the users contribute with their interventions (for example plant signs hand made by the users) and where the professionals change and adapt the space according to the need (change chairs for shade or sun, add a table for drinks when it is hot, decide to plant a new rose garden…etc.).
* Terminology. the chosen word for use in this Manual is “therapeutic garden”. Depending on the culture it is common to use different words such as healing garden, health garden or salutogenic/biophilic design. All of them actually express the same and coincide with the definitions above.
[1] Terminología: El término utilizado para el manual es “jardín terapéutico” (“healing garden” en inglés). Dependiendo del contexto, se podrían utilizar diferentes términos como jardín restaurativo o jardín curativo. Mayoritariamente, todos suelen expresar lo mismo y se pueden aplicar las definiciones anteriores.