Testing a contemplative landscape method to design a stress-reducing therapeutic landscape for the Mellanorrlands Hospice

Abstract: This thesis explores the effectiveness of the Contemplative Landscape Method (CLM) in designing a stress-reducing therapeutic landscape for Mellanorrlands Hospice, aimed at improving the well-being of palliative care patients. With the increasing importance of palliative care due to an ageing population and the growing demand for hospice services, this study addresses the pressing need for therapeutic landscapes that make a positive contribution to the emotional and psychological health of patients and staff. The interdisciplinary approach of this study integrates landscape architecture, environmental psychology and palliative care, recognising the profound impact of the natural environment and architectural design on patient wellbeing. The study is structured around a literature review, a detailed case study at Mellanorrlands Hospice and an empirical study using CLM. The literature review provides a context for therapeutic landscapes, emphasises their relevance in palliative care settings and identifies key characteristics that contribute to their effectiveness. The case study methodically explores the existing conditions and requirements of Mellanorrlands Hospice, providing a contextual framework for the application of CLM. The empirical study focuses on analysing the existing landscape of the hospice and developing a design proposal using CLM to enhance contemplative and therapeutic qualities. The findings of the literature review emphasise the potential of therapeutic landscapes to improve mood, reduce stress and support emotional wellbeing through both active and passive engagement with nature. The case study shows that the hospice in Mellanorrlands has unique advantages, such as location and views, that contribute to a therapeutic landscape. However, the empirical analysis shows that the current landscape has an average contemplative score, suggesting that it could be improved to achieve a greater positive mental health response from users. The design proposal developed through CLM emphasises the inclusion of a variety of natural elements and spaces for contemplation to meet the specific needs of hospice residents. From the results of the study, it can be concluded that although CLM offers a valuable framework for designing therapeutic landscapes, its subjective nature and the difficulty of translating two-dimensional principles into three-dimensional spaces requires further investigation. Future research should aim to refine the method for more objective application and explore its effectiveness in a wider range of settings. This thesis contributes to the field of landscape architecture by testing the application of CLM in a real-world context, offering insights into its strengths and limitations. It emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in creating environments that support the physical and emotional needs of palliative patients and paves the way for future advances in therapeutic landscape design.