Therapeutic Architecture. Assessment Tools and Design Strategies for Healing Gardens Implementation

Several Evidence Based Design studies highlighted the impact of natural elements in the form of Healing or Therapeutic Gardens on patients health and wellbeing. A significant number of users within hospitals and socio-sanitary facilities is represented by medical doctors and nurses. They also spend a significant amount of time inside healthcare buildings and are subject to different risks factors, such as burnout. Aim of the research is to investigate the impact that Healing Gardens have on doctors and nurses perceived wellbeing and to provide tools and strategies for design implementations. A qualitative empirical study has been conducted on a sample of seven case studies selected among national and international Therapeutic Gardens inside socio-sanitary facilities or nursing homes. Both primary and secondary data have been used. The study demonstrates that Therapeutic Gardens can have a positive impact on hospital staff perceived satisfaction, relax improvement and willingness to work with the patients. Different recommendations and design suggestions have been proposed for the improvement of therapeutic open spaces usage. Future research on the topic are encouraged to involve a wider and more various sample.