Abstract:
This landscape architecture project
explores an alternative methodology for a naturebased, individualized environment for children
in trauma therapy. It is built on the premise
that a fascinating environment or activity using
involuntary attention can restore mental capacity
and directed attention (Stephen Kaplan), and that
the characteristics and density of fractal patterns
can create that fascination (Caroline Hagerhall).
The role of trauma-focused cognitive
behaviorial therapy is to break the mental
connection between a specific situation or
feeling and the initial, survival-centric reaction, in
order to understand the impact of a past event
and to “reset” the brain to process emotions and
future experiences by intaking new information.
By restoring directed attention capacity, a
fascinating environment and activity assists a
child to break out of the survival loop and begin
to integrate trauma into the past.
Fractals become a signifier of
‘naturalness,’ the natural becomes the source of
fascination, and fascination becomes the energy
to recharge mental fatigue. With a duality of
therapy requirements and a fractal perspective,
the garden provides an adaptable setting for
therapy. The project site includes Michael’s
House, a satellite child trauma center of Dayton
Children’s Hospital, in Fairborn, Ohio.
