When reflecting upon the idea of a healing environment, we often associate it to be with a hospital setting or a healthcare facility. But the idea was to study how a site that was once an industrial wasteland could transform into an urban park that could be enjoyed by the locals and visitors and provide for a therapeutic environment.
Millenium Park, the focal point of Downtown Chicago was to be studied either following Roger Ulrich’s theory or Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory. I decided to follow the later one. This theory goes by suggesting that how exposure to nature can help to replenish the mental and attention capacity through natural environments. It is categorized in four different properties of the extent of being immersed in the environment, providing for an escape from the habitual activities, the aspects of the environment that capture attention effortlessly and compatibility to be exposed to and appreciate the environment.
The millennium park as a whole functions well as a public space that is accessible through all the modes of public transport and accessible by all the differently abled people as well. But I focused my study on the Lurie Garden because my opinion it functions exceptionally well and qualifies as a therapeutic garden since the elements and the features of it function well together. Considering the entire framework of the space, it pulls away from all the steel and the grey facades seen in Downtown Chicago, especially with the 12 to 15 feet tall hedge that isolates it and generates curiosity amongst people that pass-by.
On entering the garden, I noticed the minute level changes as I found myself walking into this environment that completely cut me off from what I was experiencing a few minutes ago on entering the Millennium Park . Although intimidating, for the people inside the garden the metal encased outer hedge creates a sense of security. The timber decking and the design of the seating was very minimal and modern. The seating was tucked away in between hedges, and the rule of prospect and refuge was taken care of.
Due to the winter, the grasses in the garden were dried out and it created a dramatic landscape setting. But the ratio of Softscape to Hardscape of 7:3 was maintained. Having said that, the thought in my mind was about the summer season which would be something to look forward to concerning the plantations!
The water feature parallel to one of the edge of the garden was a good way of engaging people as well as act as an calming element.
After walking down the heavily urban downtown Chicago and all the traffic noise Michigan Avenue carries with it, a visit to the Lurie garden would positively impact the mental health, I concluded.
Additionally, here is an image of the BP bridge that connects the Millennium park to Maggie Daley Park which I clicked on Snapchat, and one of the filters made it look straight out of a Sci-fi film!
- All pictures shot by Noopur Thakkar on Iphone.
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