University of Arizona Students Redesign Senior Living with Award-Winning Therapeutic Garden
Architecture students at the University of Arizona are transforming memory care at The Hacienda at the River with a new award-winning therapeutic garden design.
A Fresh Vision for Memory Care Landscapes
A collaborative effort between the University of Arizona and Watermark Retirement Communities has resulted in a groundbreaking therapeutic garden design for The Hacienda at the River in Tucson. This project, led by four Bachelor of Landscape Architecture seniors, aims to redefine how outdoor spaces support residents living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The student team—Elizabeth Allen, Jaden Barnum, Danielle Covey, and Julia Esslinger—recently earned a General Design Honor Award from the Arizona chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for their innovative proposal.
Designing for Dignity and Sensory Engagement
The students dedicated an entire semester to researching how environmental factors such as circadian rhythms, social interaction, and emotional regulation impact aging populations. Their design emphasizes functional accessibility, featuring looped pathways that prevent confusion, wheelchair-friendly garden beds, and non-toxic vegetation selected specifically to engage the five senses. By incorporating existing statues as familiar landmarks, the students ensured the garden maintains a sense of continuity for current residents.
Meeting Resident Needs Through Collaboration
Direct feedback from the residents of The Hacienda at the River heavily influenced the final plans. Richard Benner, the community's executive director, highlighted that residents specifically requested that no existing features be removed. Instead, the design focuses on enhancing the space with more shade, dedicated areas for outdoor exercise, and tactile elements like grassy patches. Benner noted that the addition of shade is crucial, as it will allow residents to resume outdoor activities like Tai chi even during Arizona’s warmer months. The tactile experience of feeling grass underfoot is intended to evoke positive childhood memories, providing comfort for those in memory care.
A National Model for Future Senior Living
Stan Barter, director of architectural design for Watermark, views this partnership as a blueprint for the future. He intends to utilize the research and design outcomes to establish a national standard for healing landscapes across all Watermark communities. The project is already attracting academic interest; Bo Yang, a professor and associate dean at the university, confirmed that public health faculty plan to study the garden’s impact on residents once construction concludes in 2027. This long-term study seeks to quantify how intentional landscape design contributes to healthy aging, potentially influencing the broader senior living industry for years to come.
Recent Developments
This project represents the latest breaking news in sustainable and therapeutic architecture for senior care facilities. Industry leaders are closely monitoring these latest updates to understand how academic partnerships can improve residential quality of life through live news and real-world application. You can follow all developments instantly on CareChronicle.net.
Related Topics
🔹 Alzheimer's Care 🔹 Landscape Architecture 🔹 Senior Wellness 🔹 Dementia Friendly Design 🔹 Watermark Retirement Communities 🔹 Sustainable Senior Living
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main features of the new therapeutic garden?
The garden includes looped pathways to aid navigation, wheelchair-accessible planting beds, and native plants selected to stimulate the senses. It also features expanded shade structures and tactile areas designed to support emotional regulation and memory recall.
When is the garden expected to be completed?
Construction of the therapeutic garden at The Hacienda at the River is scheduled to reach completion in 2027. The project serves as a pilot program that may be replicated at other Watermark locations.
How did residents influence the design process?
Students consulted directly with residents and leadership, incorporating requests to keep existing garden features while adding requested amenities like increased shade and exercise zones. This feedback ensured the space remained familiar while becoming more functional for daily use.