Andreasen Center For Wellness
Healing Gardens | Interactive Design | Event Space and Entertaining
This commercial project was in collaboration with Andrews University, Weigand Construction and Design Collaborative. This landscape acts as the heart to a top of the line health and wellness facility on Andrews University Campus in Berrien Springs. This project capitalizes on people’s senses. Each individual garden space plays to a unique and physical experience. The landscaping included a Japanese Garden with a barefoot sensory path, Wind Garden with swings, Fragrance Garden and the Fire Garden with fire pits.
Every dream starts with a drawing.
Project Description
The vision for this space from its inception revolved around the idea of human connection through the senses. In response the design created spaces that evoke the senses, integrating sight, smell, touch, taste and sound. Inside of this priority there were other needs the outdoor spaces were required to facilitate. This included a lawn space for outdoor group classes, both lecture style and gym style. They also needed areas where students could sit and study. Providing places where employees of the wellness center could enjoy lunch outside or take a break were also among the asks. Since the academic year spans so many cold months in Michigan, views of nature from the inside were also important to provide.
The design solutions started with organization of the space into six main spaces. A central lawn called the ‘Ellipse’, a large patio, the Japanese Garden, the Fire Garden, the Wind Garden and the Fragrance Garden. The Ellipse is a raised lawn space designed to hold group classes and students wishing to take their workout outside. At the top of the Ellipse is the large patio space with a large corten water fountain providing the soothing sound of running water. Tables and chairs throughout this space provide students alternative places to study or soak up some sunshine. A walking path spans the perimeter of the Ellipse with entrances into each of the smaller gardens.
The Wind Garden experience invites a bit of play. Five oversized swings placed in the heart of the space provide the chance to feel the wind on your face. Designed for young adults, there are double swings so that couples can enjoy together. Wind responsive plants surround this garden with multiple varieties of ornamental grasses, fine textured perennials and swaying trees.
Lastly, the Fragrance Garden is filled with smells that come and go throughout the seasons. A pair of trellises built by some students support scented vines. Old fashioned favorites like lavender, peony and lilac perfume the space. This project reminds us that wellness is incomplete without nature and that we are designed to experience it through our senses.
The Japanese Garden can be entered from the walking path or from the whirlpool and sauna room inside the wellness center. A bamboo fence was designed around this garden to create a private and intimate experience. A sensory barefoot path weaves through the space leading to a foot bath tub and a sunning rock.
Next along the walking path you can enter the Fire Garden. This space houses three gas fire pits for student gatherings. The space is surrounded by large boulders which provide seating. The plantings that surround this garden flower in reds, yellows and oranges to simulate fire.