The healthcare systems have begun to recognize the benefits that nature can bring when incorporated into a Healing Garden within their Medical Centers.  This realization has been supported by statistics showing that there are direct and beneficial health outcomes attributed to access and views to nature.  The evidence as it relates to gardens has proven to the healthcare community that patients heal faster, need fewer medications, lowers stress levels for staff and administrators, and develop more favorable image of the medical center¹ in Communities nearby.  These all translate in more income to the healthcare providers.  These health and capital outcomes have  raised the priority for all healthcare systems to include healing gardens, therapeutic gardens, outdoor gathering areas and a wide variety of opportunities to access nature on new expansion projects. 

I tend to address these and Healing Environments because there are so many different types of garden areas found on the medical center campus’ all of which contribute to a healing outcome.  The Healing Garden though, is one that should be central to the campus with access to multiple facility buildings.  At Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, the healing garden is central to the Heart Center, Ambulatory Services Center, the new West Tower and main hospital.  It offers opportunities for many participants to take a break, find respite, watch the waterfalls and garden landscape, or get physical therapy.  The healing garden will provide patients, visitors and staff access to Nature and its power to heal.

1. Health Facilities Management, “Great Outdoors-Developing a master plan for exterior spaces” by Julie Manning and Laurel Macdonald, February 2007, page 26

Eugene, Oregon

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ON THE BOARDS

As the Landscape Architects for this six-acre site, we provided drawings for a fire pit patio, putting green, reflection pond, two entry water features, and the general site landscaping. Our designs balanced the Cape Cod style architecture of the building and the native landscape of the Willamette River area.

The Healing Environment Master Plan was developed to guide the Samaritan Health Services facilities in the provision of healing environments on a system-wide basis and delivered site specific needs.  Understanding what constitutes a “healing garden” is the foundation of this plan.

A philosophy was developed to identify these “Each of the Samaritan Health Systems facilities incorporates healing principles into the environment, ensuring the presence of tranquility, beauty, comfort, and safety for the benefit of patients, families, visitors and staff.  Now we were able to identify the different types of healing environments like; Borrowed Landscape, Covered Garden, Front Entry, Landscape Grounds, Meditation Gardens, Healing Gardens, Therapeutic Gardens and etc.

Each of five community hospitals and two senior communities were visited and evaluated with regard to the condition of the landscape, the access to nature and what kinds of healing environments existed and were lacking.

The Master Plan developed a system-wide action plan which identified healing gardens, healing environment and specific opportunities to be pursued that elevate the level of healing environment development throughout the system.  These were then costed out and prioritized so that funding sources could be identified.

Vancouver, Washington

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This senior living project features 172 units for Independent, Assisted Living, and Memory Care.  As the Landscape Architects, we have designed the site landscaping with sustainability in mind.  Native plants were specified within the site landscaping on over four acres.  Bio-swales and detention ponds have also been incorporated into the site design to allow for maximum storm water infiltration.  Other site features include a community plaza for events; an intricate rose garden located next to the main entry driveway; and community garden for residents to produce their own vegetables and flowers.

Hillsboro, Oregon

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Nexus at Orenco Station  is a 422-unit high-density apartment project with excellent connection to public transportation and the award winning Orenco Station Community.  Our landscape design balances sustainability at this 15 acre site through wetland mitigation and storm water swales with other site amenities include a community pool, spa, and patio deck situated within  a 2-acre park. (more…)

Vancouver, Washington

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For this 24-unit affordable-housing project, we designed an exterior courtyard and gardens that are typical for high-end developments.  Decorative walls and a central water feature are in the spotlight of the residents’ views, and the layout invites for a leisurely walk through the site.

Portland, Oregon

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A high-end condominium development with ground level commercial space, this project is designed to achieve LEED Gold recognition. Green features include ecoroofs, a community plaza, and 2nd floor terrace level garden courtyards.  Pervious pavers will allow for stormwater infiltration.  Architectural Renderings courtesy of The Myhre Group.

Tigard, Oregon

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A restored wetland and grove of existing trees form the natural outdoor education classroom for children in the Oleson Woods community.  Sustainable elements included the re-vegetation of the existing oak forest wetland and the treatment of stormwater overflow in a retension pond.  Native plantings were selected to supplement and strengthen the natural setting. (more…)

Milwaukie, Oregon

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North Main village is a nationally acclaimed mixed-use project with condominiums, apartments and retail, designed to encourage sustainable urban growth and quality of life.  In this spirit, we celebrated stormwater treatment through an rainwater sculpture and community plaza and a green stormwater runoff demonstration street.  The City of Milwaukie also engaged our services to develop the first few blocks of the City Streetscape.  This included the sidewalk design, selection of furnishings and street trees.

Portland, Oregon

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Our goal for this mixed-use project was to transform the existing brownfield- previously home to Albina Fuel – into a space that inspires community, sustainability and work/life balance.  Landscape elements include a park that links to a future bike trail, intensive rooftop gardens, stormwater flow through planters, and urban streetscape enhancements.