Short answer

Incorporate the six identified design aspects (accessibility, wayfinding, serenity, multisensory planting, spatial organization, cultural artifacts) into garden designs to proactively enhance user wellbeing.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Design for Health (2023)
Method: Systematic Review
Evidence: Strong effect

Designing gardens with specific attention to accessibility, wayfinding, serenity, multisensory planting, spatial organization, and cultural artifacts can significantly enhance user wellbeing. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Design for Health. Using Systematic review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate the six identified design aspects (accessibility, wayfinding, serenity, multisensory planting, spatial organization, cultural artifacts) into garden designs to proactively enhance user wellbeing.

Study

User-Centred DesignRecentStrong effect

Wellbeing Gardens: Six Design Elements for Enhanced User Experience

Designing gardens with specific attention to accessibility, wayfinding, serenity, multisensory planting, spatial organization, and cultural artifacts can significantly enhance user wellbeing.

Design for Health · 2023

Key Findings

01Defining characteristics of wellbeing gardens include accessibility, wayfinding, fostering serenity, multisensory planting, spatial organization, and cultural artifacts.
02Recommendations can be developed for garden designers to create wellbeing gardens based on these characteristics.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing any public or private outdoor space intended for relaxation or therapeutic benefit, systematically consider and integrate the six identified design elements.

Project actions

01When researching a design project, look for studies that evaluate the user experience of existing designs.
02Consider how different design elements might impact a user's emotional state.

Method & Evidence

AimTo identify defining characteristics of wellbeing gardens and synthesize existing evaluations into actionable design recommendations for promoting wellbeing.

MethodSystematic Review

ProcedureA systematic review of garden design literature was conducted using online databases to identify publications before October 2022. Seventeen publications were reviewed following PRISMA and framework for scoping reviews.

ContextGarden Design for Wellbeing

Variables

IV["Presence/absence of specific design elements (accessibility, wayfinding, serenity, multisensory planting, spatial organization, cultural artifacts)"]

DV["User wellbeing (measured through self-report, physiological indicators, or behavioral observation)"]

CV["Garden size, general climate, type of vegetation (beyond multisensory aspects)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Systematic review methodology ensures comprehensive coverage of existing literature.
+Focus on evidence-based recommendations provides practical guidance.

Limitations

The effectiveness of these elements can be subjective and influenced by individual preferences and cultural backgrounds.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings is supported by the systematic review methodology. Validity is enhanced by synthesizing multiple studies, but the subjective nature of wellbeing can introduce variability.

Think critically

How might the cultural context of users influence the effectiveness of 'cultural artifacts' in promoting wellbeing?

Design Principles

"Design spaces that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also demonstrably supportive of psychological and emotional wellbeing."

This research provides a structured framework for designers aiming to create spaces that actively promote mental and emotional health. By integrating these evidence-based elements, designers can move beyond aesthetic considerations to develop environments with a tangible positive impact on users.

What This Means for Your Design

To make a garden good for people's happiness, designers should make sure it's easy to get around, calming, has plants that smell and feel nice, is laid out well, and has things that feel familiar or meaningful.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when justifying design choices aimed at improving user comfort, safety, or emotional state.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights six key design considerations for creating wellbeing gardens: accessibility, wayfinding, fostering serenity, multisensory planting, spatial organization, and cultural artifacts. These elements, identified through a systematic review, provide a robust framework for designers aiming to enhance the psychological and emotional benefits of designed spaces.

Source

Design for Health

‘Designing a wellbeing garden’ a systematic review of design recommendations

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about wellbeing gardens: six design elements for enhanced user experience?: Incorporate the six identified design aspects (accessibility, wayfinding, serenity, multisensory planting, spatial organization, cultural artifacts) into garden designs to proactively enhance user wellbeing. Evidence: Design for Health (2023).
Why does "Wellbeing Gardens: Six Design Elements for Enhanced User Experience" matter for design?: This research provides a structured framework for designers aiming to create spaces that actively promote mental and emotional health. By integrating these evidence-based elements, designers can move beyond aesthetic considerations to develop environments with a tangible positive impact on users.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate the six identified design aspects (accessibility, wayfinding, serenity, multisensory planting, spatial organization, cultural artifacts) into garden designs to proactively enhance user wellbeing.
What were the main findings?: Defining characteristics of wellbeing gardens include accessibility, wayfinding, fostering serenity, multisensory planting, spatial organization, and cultural artifacts.. Recommendations can be developed for garden designers to create wellbeing gardens based on these characteristics.
What research method was used?: Systematic Review.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Design for Health.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing any public or private outdoor space intended for relaxation or therapeutic benefit, systematically consider and integrate the six identified design elements.
What are the limitations?: The review focused on non-clinical populations, and the specific impact of each element may vary based on individual user needs and cultural contexts.