INITIAL RESEARCH, KEY CONSTRAINTS/CONSIDERATIONS
Readings
- Bueck, C., Garden therapy as an accompanying therapy for young psychosis patients, 2012 (10.2443/skv-s-2012-51020120501)
- Lu, Shan, et al., Effectiveness of Horticultural Therapy in People with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb; 18(3): 964 (10.3390/ijerph18030964)
- Ulrich, Roger S., Visual landscapes and psychological well‐being, Landscape Research, 1979 Mar; 4(1): pp. 17-23 (10.1080/01426397908705892)
- He, Hui, et al., Edible Horticultural Therapy for the Rehabilitation of Long-term Hospitalized Female Schizophrenic Patients, 2020 Apr; 55(5) (https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14796-19)
- Ascencio, Jaime, Horticultural Therapy as an Intervention for Schizophrenia: A Review, 30 Jul 2019 (https://doi.org/10.1089/act.2019.29231.jas)
KEY FINDINGS
Horticultural therapy and garden spaces, when designed appropriately, can be immensely beneficial for psychosis (namely schizophrenia) patients. Garden activities can improve symptoms in patients suffering from a wide variety of forms of psychosis, and also aid in social, emotional and cognitive development.
The most effective (and well studied) varieties of horticultural therapy for psychosis patients revolve around communal, engaged and productive gardening (i.e fruits, vegetables, etc.), and their cultivation, harvesting, preparation, storage, and consumption in safe, comfortable environments.
When considering the form of the garden, it is key to avoid structures, plantings and path trajectories that create situations and conditions that may be perceived as threatening, or potentially concealing someone or something. Vegetation should be kept low or pruned high to allow clear lines of sight throughout the garden. Grading should avoid creating topography that obstructs views. Schizophrenia and psychosis patients often experience sensitivity to sunlight, so some shade structures or plantings should be provided.
PERSPECTIVE EXPLORATION
CONCEPT DIAGRAMS, FORM IDEATION
9 PLAN/PROGRAM LAYOUT ITERATIONS
CONCEPT STATEMENT
“The therapeutic qualities of garden spaces and the activities that take place within them have long been evident. Though their effectiveness in addressing the needs of psychosis (and more specifically, schizophrenia) patients is still being researched, early studies already suggest that gardens, especially those focused on communal, productive gardening, can aid in the social, emotional and cognitive development and recovery of these patients.
On a disused site less than 100m from the Psychosis Research Program at UBC Hospital’s Detwiller Pavilion, could the construction of a purpose-built garden for the treatment of those patients allow for this research to be continued?”
PROPOSAL A, PLAN
PROPOSAL A, SECTION A-A’
PROPOSAL A, PERSPECTIVE
PROPOSAL B, PLAN
PROPOSAL B, SECTION A-A’
PROPOSAL B, PERSPECTIVE
