UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENT & DESIGN
Fall Semester 2011
HEALTHCARE AND THERAPEUTIC SITE DESIGN
LAND 4080/6080 – (4 Credit Hours)
MF 1:25-4:25P 610 Caldwell Hall
W 1:25-3:20P (studio) 610 Caldwell Hall
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Professor Brad Davis
Office: 505 Caldwell Hall
Phone/Voice: (706) 542-5194
Email: bdavis@uga.edu; davisbrade@gmail.com
Office Hours: M – F 11:00 – 12:00
(Or by appointment)
Professor Marguerite Koepke
Office: 202 Denmark Hall
Phone/Voice Mail: (706) 542-4711
E-Mail: mkoepke@uga.edu
Office Hours: Class days 12:30-1:15 pm
(Appointment recommended)
course syllabus:
Prerequisite: LAND 4060 – Landscape Architecture Design Studio IV
For graduate requirements see MLA, MEPD catalog
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course focuses on the physical, psychological, perceptual and cultural influences of garden design
emphasizing the design of gardens for healing, play, discovery/learning and other sensory/therapeutic
stimuli. This class will also include discussions and projects demonstrating the connections between
thinking and drawing and producing advanced level, high quality, and highly detailed design solutions.
OBJECTIVES
Knowledge: Upon completion of this course, students with a passing evaluation will have demonstrated
the following:
 knowledge of current scientific evidence and historical/cultural thinking on the qualities and
characteristics of therapeutic landscapes,
 a clear understanding of “evidence based” design.
 methodologies for conducting case studies and post-occupancy evaluations(P.O.E’s) to establish
design criteria.
 a foundational understanding of the breadth of garden types and characteristics which are believed to
promote restoration, healing, learning, etc.
 a clear understanding of how aesthetic characteristics of a landscape influence design response.
Skills: Upon completion of this course, students with a passing evaluation will have demonstrated the
following:
 the highest standards in preparing soundly conceived, fully developed and professionally drawn
designs which clearly and successfully execute gardens with predictable clinical outcomes.
 critical thinking skills through assimilation of course subject and original research into design
solutions.
 clearly communicate well formulated design ideas/concepts verbally, graphically and in writing.
Values: Upon completion of this course, students with a passing evaluation will have demonstrated the
following:
 knowledge that the designer has the ability to create landscapes with predictable (healthful)
outcomes.
 an emerging individual design philosophy.
 and clearly communicate personal insights verbally, graphically and in writing to further clarify
(crystallize) one’s analytical, problem solving and evaluation abilities.
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METHOD:
This is a studio format course where lectures, demonstrations, field trips, support information furnished
through articles, guest lectures, texts and written course materials, impromptu sketch problems, pin-up
sessions and class discussions will be integral to the studio experience. Take home assignments other
than design projects may be required to emphasize important concepts to be gained from readings and
research.
Students will have portions of some studios allotted for in-class individual work time and time for one on
one critique with their instructors. Students are expected to continue individual work outside of class.
Students should expect dedicating from 1-2 hours of outside time for each hour of in class time. Since
class meets 8 hours per week outside time is estimated at 8-16 hours per week.
An important part of evaluation in a design studio is the critique. A critique by definition is, “the art of
evaluating or analyzing works of art or literature” (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary). This
process of review and evaluation is intended to advance the quality of students’ work through constructive
(not always positive) feedback. This method is only successful when students maintain objectivity
towards their own work and a positive and productive outlook toward their studies.
In order to accomplish this it is necessary that you keep a printed version of your design work at your
desk for critiques. This copy can be black and white. You are encouraged to work through the design
process by hand with trash and progress to the computer and software programs such as AutoCad and
Adobe for final refinement and production of the presentation.
READINGS:
There is one required text for this class. Healing Gardens: Therapeutic benefits and design
recommendations by Clare Cooper Marcus. It can be purchased on line for around $90-$100 (new) and
is an excellent source of information and invaluable resource for your reference library. There will be a
copy on reserve in the reading room if you choose not to purchase a personal copy. Due to the
contemporary nature of the topic, therapeutic landscapes and healing gardens, new material is being
published all the time and will be offered as “topic appropriate” in the form of supplemental readings.
These materials will accompany assignments and be available in the class folder on the SED server.
COMMUNICATION
Please be advised that we will also use a class listserv and a class folder on the server to exchange
handouts, base maps and other shared information whenever possible. We will also use the web
frequently to retrieve materials and search for current ideas and research on the subject of therapeutic
landscapes. Check email frequently for messages, as this is the best way for the instructors to answer
general questions and disseminate information to the entire class outside of our regularly scheduled
studio time.
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES:
Students are required to have their work space equipped with all appropriate drawing supplies and
equipment and to work at their desks during class/studio periods. All class notes should be kept in a
journal and students should have their journals with them at all times.
GRADING SYSTEM:
A Plus/Minus system will be use in this course. Performance evaluation will be based on the
university system with percentages as follows:
A+
A
A-
98%
95%
92%
B+
B
B-
88%
85%
82%
Work, which shows a good understanding of the theory and concepts involved in the
project, must be slightly reworked.
C+
C
C-
78%
75%
72%
Work, which indicates a satisfactory understanding and execution of the project. Moderate
understanding of the theory and concepts involved in the project, must be reworked
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Work, which demonstrates a mastery of the subject and needs no revision.
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D+
D
D-
68%
65%
62%
F
50%
Work which is incomplete and/or in which the design process and project solution are poor
or inappropriately conceived.
Work which is unacceptable. Generally incomplete and/or which shows a failure
to accomplish the basic objectives of the project.
CLASS STANDARDS:
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required. More than 4 absences (10 percent of the semester’s class
periods) for any reason will result in the student’s withdrawal from the course by the instructors. Any
student who should experience prolonged illness/absence or other personal situations that keep them
from attending class is STRONGLY URGED to withdraw from the course.
DUE DATES and DEADLINES: Assignments must be submitted on the stated due date, time and place.
If work is not submitted as specified by the instructor a score of zero will be assigned.
Other situations will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis between the student and instructor outside of
class time and arrangements made in writing, signed by both student and instructor. Please do not
attempt to discuss late work or absences at the beginning of a class period.
CONDUCT: University expectations for conduct and academic honesty are clearly outlined n the UGA
Bulleting, the Academic Honesty Handbook and summarized in the UGA Honor Code. Specific College
of the Environment and Design Policies are listed in the SED Student Handbook.
CELL PHONE USE: Cell phone use during class is considered a public distraction and discourteous to
those around you. Please turned off your phone during lectures and studio and placed out of sight in
back packs, purses or lockers. If you need to communicate using this vehicle – please do so outside of
the studio.
DRESS CODE. Professionalism is requested. During final project presentations, students will be
expected to wear professional dress. During studio; casual cloths suitable for work in an office will be the
standard.
WORK ENVIRONMENT. All students are encouraged to work together in the studio, outside class time
rather than at home. You will each benefit from the interaction with classmates and upperclassmen, if
you take advantage of this opportunity. Typically, students who produce superior work participate fully in
the studio environment.
Please do everything you are able to make our studio a pleasant, exciting place where fun inspires
you without hindering other’s concentration!
COURSE SCHEDULE and OVERVIEW:
The following provides a general overview of the semester. All items listed are subject to change based
on availability of field trip dates, guest speakers and project coordination with clients. A more detailed
schedule will be furnished as the dates and times for fieldtrips and guest speakers are confirmed ad a
detailed work schedule with interim due dates will accompany each assignment/project.
Assignments: a total of 3-5 throughout the semester mainly associated with lecture/classroom discussions.
Projects:
there will be a total of 4 projects as follows:
 Project One:
Design Investigation/Research Project (3 weeks)
 Project Two:
Therapeutic Garden (3 weeks)
 Project Three: Therapeutic Garden Design (7 weeks)
o Students will select one project from 3-4 gardens each serving a different patient population.
o Initial site observation and inventory, client and program based data collection, and research
for this project will be done in groups and reported back to the class in written form and as a
verbal presentation.
o In addition to the inventory and analysis phases of design, this project will consist of several
rigorous design development phases so do not be fooled by the seven week time frame
devoted to this project.
o All projects will be formally presented to the client groups at the end of the semester.
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
Project Four: Throughout the semester we will also be engaged in a research/reading project. This
work will be done in small groups and conclude with group presentations to the class during our
lecture period the last third of the semester. (see class schedule for dates).
Field trip: a trip to Atlanta is tentatively scheduled at the end of week 8 to visit and observations of a
variety of therapeutic landscapes and gardens and one will be documented as a sample POE exercise.
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