Stimulating the Senses, A calming Retreat in a Skilled Nursing Setting
Award of Excellence
Student Community Service Award
Seattle, Washington, United States
Hanbeom Lee, Associate ASLA;
Vasilisa Karp, Student ASLA;
Jessica Liao, Student ASLA;
Edward Li;
Eve Wang, Student ASLA;
Helen Elizabeth Arnold, Student ASLA;
Molly Lara Ferguson, Student ASLA;
Bing Wan, Student ASLA;
Griffin Cronk, Student ASLA;
Shantol Morgan, Student ASLA;
Ying Shan, Student ASLA;
Sharon Foeng, Student ASLA;
Ellie Anderson, Student ASLA;
Katherine Magee, Student ASLA;
Joanna Chen, Student ASLA;
Faculty Advisors:
Daniel Winterbottom, FASLA;
Jerry Watson;
Zachery Meyers;
University of Washington
This project looks to be highly successful for the residents and staff at the facility. It's commendable to consider the staff at the facility as they need space to separate from their work. The space also looks amenable for family visitations as well.
- 2025 Awards Jury
Project Statement
Those living in skilled nursing facilities run the risk of becoming isolated, depressed, loosing self-esteem and in some cases identity. In addition, this is often the winding down of life for the residents and a challenging and complicated experience for many. Despite these common attributes the experience does not have to be this way but can instead be a celebration of life. When designed properly the garden can be a place of appropriate stimulation, participation, community building, and reconnection to the sacredness and benefits of nature. This responsive garden was informed through a participatory process involving staff and residents and offers two “rooms” for each group and places of shared experience and mutual support.
Project Narrative
Those living in skilled nursing facilities run the risk of becoming isolated, depressed, loosing self-esteem and/or identity. Skilled nursing is often the winding down of life for residents, clearly a challenging and complicated experience for many. Despite these common attributes the experience can instead be a celebration of life. When designed properly the garden can be, and ours is, a place of physical and psychological engagement, socialization and contemplation. The goals and objectives established with the residential community and staff included: • An accessible space for active gardening • A place for social engagement with aromatic plants • A room for passive contemplation and solitude • A staff centered space for resting, meetings, workshops, for breaks and performance • Shade and seating • Night viewing with interesting lighting and color activated by day lighting • Seasonal interest The students began the project with formal research on aging and simulation exercises to viscerally understand the physical and cognitive challenges faced by this population including exercises that explored mobility, balance, gross and find motor skills. The stimulation exercises were followed by community engagement sessions incorporating several methods including photo preference exercises, focus groups, one on one interviews and discussions with family members. The resulting data was analyzed and grouped by preferences, recommendations and dislikes that informed the ensuing design process. Participants attended the resulting design presentations and offering their opinions. The final implement preferred alternative was a synthesis of 5 designs that employed the user informed process. Finally, the residents and staff toured the site during the building phase to review and again offer suggestions, continuing their collaboration with the students throughout the process. The project took place over the winter quarter devoted to the design and the Spring quarter to dedicated to construction. Students fabricated the steel elements, designed and installed the aluminum panels, set the stone paving, fabricated the steel and recycled plastic lumber furniture, installed glass light catchers, formed and poured the ADA planter, amended the soil and installed all the plantings. The project will be evaluated annually by a class of students under the guidance of the project professor to understand the manners of use, level of sensory stimulation and satisfaction, and any user challenges that emerge. The Sensory Garden is a mainstay in the lives of the residents. Boredom and isolation are partially alleviated as residents view the garden from their windows. They use it comfortably as the entire garden is wheelchair accessible and enjoy the aromas, observe the wildlife, enjoy the colorful plantings and seasonal changes intentional created in the design. Many spend time with their families in the garden verses the small residents’ rooms, lobbies or hallways. Staff find a moment of respite during their breaks and socialize or find a quiet spot to restore their energy and minds. Through this unique form of design build community service the principles of universal design are not only understood but applied from concept to detailing to crafting and the lives of others transformed. Not only are new skills learned, but empathy and responsive design are fostered and through sweat equity, a community in need is flourishing.
Plant List:
- Oregon Grape
- Rhododendron
- Siberian Bugloss
- Bleeding Heart
- Gaura
- Bee Balm
- Solomon's Seal
- Western Sword Fern
- Meadow Sage
- White inside-out flower
- Japanese Forest Grass
- Redwood Sorrel
- Vine Maple
- Japanese Snowbell
- Yoshino Cherry
- Peony
- Lilac
- Yarrow
- Lady Fern
- Giant Hyssop
- Purple Coneflower
- Fothergilla
- Prairie Smoke
- Coral Bells
- English Lavendar
- Garden Sage
- Rosemary
- Fountain Grass
- Witch Hazel
- Paperplant
- Hydrangea
- Mock Orange
- Golf Ball Tawhiwhi
- Allium
- False Goat's beard
- Russian Sage
- Pincushions
- Kousa Dogwood
- Wilma Goldcrest Cypress
- Quince