Healing Garden

Description

The concept of the "healing garden" has evolved into the well-developed notion that this is a significant form of landscape design. The subjects of "health" and "well being" have always b een indicators for quality of life, while quality of life could be perceived as a method of measuring the degree of community sustainability. Investigating and proving the connection between nature, healing, and health, a number of studies have been conducted to show how a "healing" garden design can meet the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of the people using the garden, as well as caregivers, family members, and friends. This unique compilation will become a useful reference for all landscape architects and designers, and healthcare professionals.

David Kamp, FASLA, LF, NA, is the founding principal of New York-based Dirtworks Landscape Architecture, PC. The firm was established to explore the role of nature in the designed environment to promote health and well-being. Current work includes: healthcare, academic, cultural and civic projects. A fellow at the Mac Dowell Colony and Loeb Fellow in Advanced Environmental Studies at Harvard, David is an advocate and practitioner of ecologically sensitive design and has been advancing the effectiveness of nature and gardens to influence health care environments, specifically, as it addresses the special needs population. David is a frequent guest lecturer at numerous universities and conferences across the United States and Europe. In 2012 University College Falmouth (UK) awarded Mr. Kamp an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his contributions to the landscape architecture profession. Mr. Kamp has also been featured in several documentary series featuring engaging examples of the power of restorative gardens to support health and well-being. Mr. Kamp has been elected as a National Academician of the National Academy, a professional artist association in America modeled on The Royal Academy of London. He joins an illustrious group of America's most influential artists and architects of the past two hundred years.