A Garden of the Heart

Location: Hougang, Singapore (Thye Hua Kwan Nursing Home)
Floor Area: 700sqm

Garden of the Heart is a dementia-friendly therapeutic garden designed based on research in environmental psychology, such as the Attention Restoration Theory and the Stress Reduction Theory. The garden is curated into 5 zones that allow for a progressive sensory interaction for users with dementia. Garden features that encourage active and passive use are curated throughout the garden where users, guide by pathways, can engage in a rich and safe environment.

The garden also incorporates features that facilitate therapeutic horticulture, which is the practice of using gardening or plant-based activities to improve the physical and psychosocial well-being. The garden aims to be an outdoor plant-dominated place where both residents, visiting family members, and staff can seek respite and socialise with one another in, a home away from home, a garden of the heart.