In this collaborative studio students from Fine Art and Landscape Architecture under Associate Professor Daniel Winterbottom and Professor John Young worked with the center personnel to design and build a healing garden.
The project, entitled “The Wing Garden’ ” is intended to be a garden of transformation, where patients, staff and visitors can come and feel transported for a moment from the smells, lighting and geometry of the medical facility. A large survey had been conducted a year prior to the project and students used this data to inform their design proposals. Following a week of research into the principles and technologies of healing gardens the class developed the following goals:
- The creation of four spaces separated by a lattice that would provide privacy but allow some visibility.
- Use a palate of plants that offer a variety of smells and attract wildlife.
- Use forms that are curved to counter the functional geometry of the center.
- Create through seating and the planter forms spaces that users use for either socializing as groups or couples or use as individuals for contemplation.
- All elements must be removable thus all components needed to be designed to be taken apart.
- Preserve and maximize the existing views of the water and surrounding hills.