HEALING WITH NATURE: INTEGRATING BIODIVERSITY AT MEDSTAR MONTGOMERY MEDICAL CENTER

Abstract

This paper addresses the question of whether biodiversity and green infrastructure promote the wellbeing of patients, staff, and visitors in a design intervention for Medstar Montgomery General Hospital. It also addresses the secondary question concerning the relationship between the quantity and quality of biodiversity, green infrastructure, and psychological wellbeing. To produce a design that addresses this question, the author performed a literature review along with research methods such as site inventory and analysis, a preoccupancy assessment tool for gardens, a survey, and a focus group.