Rigets have - en lindrende have?

Abstract: Title: Riget´s garden - a soothing garden? The garden at the National Hospital of Denmark (Riget´s garden) was designed as a soothing garden for patients, patients' next of kin, employees and students. This is a study of how, and if, this aspect of the garden works to its full potential for these individuals. The study is based on semi-structured qualitative interviews, focusing on the respondents' knowledge and usage of the garden and their possible desires for improvements. The interviews are supplemented with the researcher's own observations. An American study and theories of restorative environments are also used to process the results of the study. Furthermore, the results are compared to the landscape architect's initial intentions with his/her design. The study was conducted between April 9 and April 14, 2008. The study demonstrates that the garden works as a soothing garden, by creating a clear contrast to the hospital. It is the planting and the colors that create this contrast. The majority of the garden's visitors use the garden for eating, coffee breaks or to smoke. Most of the garden's visitors make use of the garden by sitting at the sunlit café-style tables or in a shadowed corner by one of the entrances. The café's location close to the garden plays an essential part in the usage of the garden. The weather works as both a prerequisite and an impediment for the usage of the garden. The respondents expressed a desire to have the garden enclosed and roofed over. These installments would work to protect the visual aspects of the garden, as well as create the possibility of social support. Furthermore they would work as a natural protection against bad weather. The planting of the garden is not viewed as having enough species of plants as well as seasonal variations. Furthermore, the garden comes short of the designer's wish, as well as some of the respondents wish, for an enclosed garden. The garden provides the opportunity for children to play. Respondents viewed this as an advantage and it seemed entertaining to the apparent healthy children playing. Clearly marked entrances and accessibility for the frailer group of patients seems inadequate. The needs of this group of patients have evidently not been taken into account. This is expressed through their limited usage of the garden and through the interviews made with both patients and their next of kin. The employees find it hard to combine the usability of the garden with work; however, many find great joy in looking out over the garden.