Paths The design of the path can be vitally important in a sensory either as a sensory aspect thick gravel , mosaic etc.As Stoneham (1996) states.Aspects of path design ,such as width,change in direction,branching slopes and ability to see a destination or end point influence speed of travel and sense of mystery and invitation (p41)
Here's an interesting sensory path way at Dunwoody school taking the children from activity to activity.http://vimeo.com/15951479
hers some more beautiful paths from
www.schoolplaygrounddesigners.co.uk/Sensory-Gardens.html
Sunlight and shade also need to be looked into while most people benefit from the sun some are light sensitive and others may be on medication s that may cause the patient to have increased sensitivity to the sun.Therefore a shady area is always needed by canopy's trees vine covered trellis etc
hers some more beautiful paths from
www.schoolplaygrounddesigners.co.uk/Sensory-Gardens.html
Sunlight and shade also need to be looked into while most people benefit from the sun some are light sensitive and others may be on medication s that may cause the patient to have increased sensitivity to the sun.Therefore a shady area is always needed by canopy's trees vine covered trellis etc
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| Retrieved on 28/06/12 from www.schoolplaygrounddesigners.co.uk/Sensory-Gardens.htm |
Hi Dave,
ReplyDeleteSome really interesting stuff on here! I notice a lot of the use of sensory gardens you have covered revolves around improving physical or sensory capacities, do you know if they are used much in mental health?
Cheers Tim yeah a huge area .Gardening has always been used therapeutically for people living with mental health problems i.e. There was a farm at cherry farm and the gardens at Sea cliff institute are beautiful!!.
ReplyDeleteI think the pointI,m trying to make are thereupeutic gardens can be a powerful tool if designed carefully for the population that are using it.
for example you may want to design a beautiful calming place for some people living with mental health problems or you may design a place that is designed to be easy to iniate tasks i.e watering ,vegetable gardening etc .the possibilities are aimless .
I have experience of my past working life in Edinburgh in redhall gardens .It used the historic and beautiful setting and especially the wall to create an area (or sanctionary) away from the city. The project was based very socially where people of varying needs worked and socialized together and was a very positive part of many peoples road to recovery
here's a link if you want to check out any more . http://www.cityplanter.co.uk/out-and-about/capital-magic-edinburgh%E2%80%99s-redhall-walled-garden
Another specific area where gardens are used in mental health is dementia.“Gardens provide a safe and stimulating environment for patients .
Also as I know you are looking into reminiscence therapy. sensory stimuli associated with gardens has been used with this form of therapy .
Hopes this answers your query .if you need any more information or links on this subject I,ll be happy to post it up.
Ka kite Dave
cheers dave, yeah if you have any links or info about my topic area that would be great! Blog is looking good!
DeleteHi tim do I have a reply I investigated alzheimer gardens but decided i already had enough material so here is a little bit on it.
DeleteFor gardens that are appropriate for alzheimers as in all sensory integration the design of the garden is extremely important,and recently there has been a lot of research into this aspect
·retrieved on 10th july 2012 fromjpegsurreygardens.org
One aspect that is important is the use of a wall as Beckwith, M.E. and Gilster, S.D. (1997) states for the individual with Alzheimer’s disease, the walled or fenced space serves as a refuge.”
Mooney and Nicell (1992) made the following recommendations
• Make the garden a continuous spatial unit with strongly defined boundaries, preferably through which residents cannot see.
• All aspects of micro-climatic comfort should be considered, which means protection from sun and wind and reduction of glare.
• Furniture should be heavy and stable with seat heights of about 18 inches.
• Ideally, the garden should be located at the end of a corridor and the exterior door should allow views and access into the garden. This is because residents tend to walk corridors and ‘get stuck’ at the end of them, not realising that they can turn around and walk the other way. Since the tendency is to walk forward, circular or loop corridors and walkways minimise frustration. A garden at the end of a corridor is readily discovered and acts as a loop which returns residents to the building and facilitates walking.
Three gardens were designed for different levels of dementia at the alois Alzheimer center in Cincinnati. As the dementia progressed there would be a garden that was appropriate for that person
For example Ebel (1991) suggests the following: “Optimal functioning and esteem-building need to become the goals of rehabilitation intervention for patients with early-stage dementia; sensory stimulation, awareness outside of self, and bringing pleasure to the patient should become the goals of late stage dementia intervention”.
heres some interesting literature you can look into
Beckwith, M.E. and Gilster, S.D. (1997)“The paradise garden: A model garden design for those with Alzheimer's disease”, Activities, Adaptation and Aging, vol: 22, (1-2), pp. 3-16.
Ebel, S.(1991) “Designing stage-specific horticultural therapy interventions for patient's with Alzheimer's disease”, Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, vol: 6, pp. 3-9.
Fabrigoule, C., Letenneur, L., Dartigues, J., Zarrouk, M., Commenges, D. & Barberger-Gateau, P. (1995) “Social and leisure activities and risk of dementia: a prospective longitudinal study”, Journal of American Geriatrics Society, vol: 43, pp. 485-490.
Mooney, P. and Nicell, P.L. (1992) “The importance of exterior environment for Alzheimer's residents: Effective care and
Hey Dave,
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog! I've learnt a lot about sensory gardens. I like this post in particular. It made me think about paths which I've never done before. I realised that the path through the garden is an important part of the experience. Some of my favourite gardens have paths that look inviting and mysterious. They make you want to explore further. Other paths leave nothing to the imagination and are not so exciting.
Thanx appreciated ; yeah the path can be an integral part of the garden and can lead people from one sensory experience.
Deletecheers david