This choice to interact with nature, as well as making decisions while experiencing the garden, provides patients with a sense of control at a time when their health and well-being is in the control of others. In return, this sense of control, as well as the sensory benefits of being in a garden, leads to a reduction in stress that ultimately leads to quicker recovery times and good health.
The successful design of a therapeutic landscape rests on four pillars, namely: visual & physical accessibility to the landscape; ease of mobility for people with movement difficulties;
a variety of functional spaces that meet different needs; and the provision of sensory stimulation.“ The knowledge and understanding of these principles, as well as consultation with our client, medical specialists and other design professional, guided us in all aspects of the therapeutic design process. We also explored the relatively new concept of Horticultural Therapy and hope that our efforts will result in this programme being offered by the hospital”.
Historically a typical hospital garden consists of peripheral‘ green’ spaces that contribute little
44 Nelson Mandela Children ' s Hospital