Therapy garden for people with autism
The therapy garden is the part of the unique program of the foundation which focuses on the sensory stimulus processing of people living with autism. The spiral shape of the beds and the objects in them are shaped by the tools of contemporary landscaping and design. MAACRAFT is aiming to create an autism friendly environment where everything is about the comfort of people who are suffering from severe behavioral disorders by the stimulating effects of plants. Each plant bedding has effects on different senses and they alleviate issues arising from stereotypical patterns of their behavior. At a healing sessions the therapist takes young people to each plant bedding where the environment stimulates a certain sense to help relax their minds. Going through the process of sensitizing is just one way to use garden and we do not intend to limit its applications. Being outdoors, fresh air and the spiritus loci also provide comfort and give a pleasant experience to anyone.
The overall MAACRAFT project is unique in Hungary in many ways. The most outstanding however is the therapeutic garden which is maintained within the framework of MAACRAFT's outdoor activities. The concept is simple: concentric circles of beds made from salvaged brick, planted densely with perennials, herbs and ornamental grasses, which are arranged by sensory effect. The central bed is empty because there will soon be a living willow sculpture planted in it – it will be a living basket. To emphasize the sensory experiences which are essential to develop the skills of autistic people, we installed ther design objects such as wind chimes, birdbaths, small furniture and other elements, made of upcycled materials. The use of these materials have symbolic value also, we like the idea that everything (and everyone) has its own unique value.
Beside healing the garden has a pragmatic function as well. From the summer of 2015 we have been growing, processing and preserving crops. The herbs and spices are harvested, dried, crushed by the challenges employees. This is a long process which was aided by the Architecture Uncomfortable Workshop, who designed and built the meditation and drier building and the benches also. In this small pavilion the herbs can be dried and it's available to recreate after the exhausting work. The scents of the plants pervade the building, creating an enchanting atmosphere to relax.
Team members
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Original concept: Kristin Faurest, Daniel Szalkai
Landscape architect: Dóra Madarász (Landspekt Kft.)
Furnitures: Architecture Uncomfortable Workshop
–
Original concept: Kristin Faurest, Daniel Szalkai
Landscape architect: Dóra Madarász (Landspekt Kft.)
Furnitures: Architecture Uncomfortable Workshop
Drier Building: Architecture Uncomfortable Workshop
Biologist consultant: Tamás Koltai
Project Leader: Daniel Szalkai
Client: Miskolc Autism Foundation
The first condition of the garden after the installation.
The herb drier and meditational building by: AUW.
Benches made of willow bundle and fired pine by: AUW.
After a renovation process the MAACRAFT crew built a new meditational pavillon.
The original plans of the plantbeds and benches.
Mobil space drier and a new pergola in the therapy garden. The last conditon of the therapeutic garden is also visible.
