Remote and beautiful meditative gardens conjure up utopian images reminiscent of the shangri-la depicted by James Hilton in Lost Horizon. Landscape designers have the ability to fashion such idyllic hideaways into healing gardens where patients can walk through and naturally absorb their therapy. The profound sensitivity towards nature found in the principles of Zen Buddhism is manifested in the art of Zen gardens, ikebana (flower arranging), architecture and Landscape Architecture. While we may not all be able to journey to Hilton's shangri-la, we can certainly benefit from the healing serenity of a retreat into a private therapeutic garden.

Healing gardens are becoming a popular new area of professional practice, as clients in health services fields learn that gardens can be very therapeutic. While this is not really a new concept, recent research has shown that the "hard spaces" of a hospital are not as soothing as the "soft spaces" and materials of a garden. Also, it has been demonstrated that, even for people without a green thumb, the touch and feel of gardening can help in healing.

There are several good examples of built healing gardens, including cancer survivors' gardens, Alzheimer's gardens etc. (See LASN "Healing Environments," October 1995) The design of this particular proposed garden (now in progress) addresses the needs of a small clinic with psychotherapists on staff. It allows patients to privately experience the garden facility after a session with their doctor. While designed to help heal mental illness, patients' needs will vary, and so it can also help soothe the physically ill.

The designer chose to use an Oriental theme based on an ancient philosophy that supports privacy and symbolism. Zen Buddhist monks exemplify people who honor privacy and seek natural harmony. This harmony, expressed by the ancient "Yin-Yang" symbol, shows a balance between black and white within a circle and can be interpreted to mean natural balance with nature in a circle of life. Statues of the Buddha in serene contemplation also evoke harmony and the value of privacy for meditation. Simple materials and muted colors are useful. An entry pond with Koi fish enhances the oriental theme. A simple waterfall allows aeration and contrast to the colorful, agile fish just below the surface.

The overall concept was based on the rather small site accommodating circulation, a public potting shed, and six private, gated meditation spaces or "calm rooms." A "Path of Harmony" paved with crushed shell leads from the Koi pond to the individual rooms. Each room provides a bench, solid walls on the perimeter and along the access corridor, and a vined trellis between rooms. Vines are planted well above grade to quickly cover the trellis. Each room is unique, with varied interlocking paver patterns, a variety of benches, and display shelves for newly potted plants. Two of the rooms have natural scene wall murals, in the same style as the Oriental mural on the entry path.

The potting shed is centrally located, with another public space and turtle fountain appearing beyond it at the end of the corridor. The bronze turtle is a dynamic sculpture, with legs and a head that move gently and swim along above the fountain (the water drag would be too great for a subsurface position.) The power source is a small water wheel within the shell that moves cams and rods as it fills and rotates. Ancient mechanical devices can meet modern needs! A low seat wall allows people to touch the water and the turtle - both soothing gestures. An end wall-mounted trickle fountain likewise provides a soothing sound.

The major canopy and shrub vegetation is placed to provide shade and textural contrast to the hardscape. All paths and spaces are barrier-free on the flat site. Users of the garden have the option of potting plants, then placing them on the display shelf in their room while meditating. The garden shed has storage for tools and materials. Patients would bring their own small plants and containers, taking them home after therapy.

A small bronze Buddha in a niche along the corridor, directly opposite the potting shed, continues the reflective theme. Buddha observes all activity at the shed, where patients feel the texture of earth and water. His presence adds to the ambience, while the use of the "Yin-Yang" symbol on all the gates helps to provide a consistent Zen theme. A pagoda style birdhouse is placed atop a wall near the shed.

The wide opportunity for interaction in this garden is based on medical research. Accessibility to the garden from the clinic provides a valuable amenity in the effective treatment of patients. Working with the hands and communing with nature, even in a small room open to the sky, is a proven treatment for mental illness. The design allows the user to explore a wide range of healing experiences.

Landscape designers can materialize Ancient Eastern doctrines of spiritual purity and freedom from human concerns by creating facilities that battle physical disease and mental frustration. By turning a "retreat" into a victory over disease, healing environments help to facilitate triumph over mortal limitations, and once again reveal the power of the landscape to enhance the ultimate quality of life.