A change of institutional policy to ban smoking at the facility instigated a renovation of Virtua Memorial Hospital 's courtyard – 5,500 sf area, formerly used by smokers. The Hospital decide to dedicated this area for a Healing garden. The garden stimulates all human senses: falling water and rustling leaves – hearing; colorful flower displays and sculptural benches – sight; leaves of various textures and reflexology walk – feel; fragrant flowers and foliage – smell; edible plants and lunch area – taste.
The spiral, a pattern commonly found in nature in both physical form and life patterns, is used as the main design element. There are three spirals featured in the garden that weave and interconnect amongst themselves. As the hospital serves patients in all age groups, three spirals also refer to three generations of patients, while expanding upon the life tendencies in these age groups.
Location: Virtua Memorial Hospital - Burlington County, Mt. Holly, New Jersey