Landscapes For The Mind
– the Contemplative Landscape Model

Contemplative landscape components

The figures in brackets below (combined mood and brain activity scores) are the recorded extent to which each component is deemed to contribute to positive neuropsychological outcomes for users of external green spaces.

1. Character of peace and silence (18%): In relation to the urban green spaces which are the principal focus of the book the founding principal of a contemplative landscape is the provision of reorientation, in the form of a distinctly different environment to that being experienced by the receptors, for the majority of the time. Consequently, a certain degree of physical and visual separation between therapeutic landscape spaces and adjoining buildings / associated car parking / service areas should be achieved where at all possible. Olszewska-Guizzo emphasises that it is important to endeavour to make contemplative places as welcoming and friendly as possible to ensure that they are inclusive and easy to navigate, stating in her book that “landscape contemplation as per its conceptual basis works best as a solitary journey”. Consequently, it is important, wherever possible, that adequate provision should be made within the external landscape areas for solace and reflection. Consequently, alongside the inclusion of walking routes, the provision of places for rest and relaxation, incorporating comfortable seats and benches which invite the user to linger, is an important element of this component. In many instances this involves looking beyond the conventional upright bench and where safety considerations permit, including seats, side tables and small outdoor exercise equipment which can be moved to accommodate a user’s specific requirements.  Since tranquillity can be difficult to achieve in the majority of mental health settings consideration should be given to the inclusion of noise attenuation features in some situations.  However, Olszewska-Guizzo also makes reference to ensuring, while achieving the above objectives, that the perception of safety is not compromised, through the careful location of ‘refuge’ spaces and the incorporation of ‘prospect’ views from them over adjoining open areas.

1. Layers of the landscape (18%): Although in the context of smaller spaces associated with buildings the distances involved, in the three recognised distance zones (foreground, middle ground and background), are much reduced, use can still be made of ‘borrowed landscape’. Olszewska-Guizzoexplains that the psychological benefits associated with views have their origins both in Jay Appleton’s “prospect-refuge” research (carried out in the 1970’s) and the attention restoration theory (Kaplan, 2011). In the context of mental health facilities this could translate to locating, orientating, and designing a building to optimise views of the surrounding landscape, even if the associated views are relatively limited. A good example of this is the Caudwell International Childrens Centre at Keele University, where glazed facades have been incorporated to provide panoramic views of adjoining woodland. Similarly, in relation to external spaces axial views can be included within a landscape design layout and provision made for framed views of the surrounding landscape. On a smaller scale, the author of this review, considers that the large-framed, seasonally changing view of the garden, he enjoys from his desk, to be enormously beneficial for his own mental health.

• Archetypal elements (17%): These are defined as distinct features which elicit an emotional or behavioural response (such as seeing a mound and wanting to go and stand on top of it!). For the purposes of the CLM nine different elements are recognised: water, path, clearing, mountain / hill, single old tree, stone / rock, forest, desert and circle, the majority of which are commonly incorporated, in one form or another, in numerous landscape design schemes. Olszewska-Guizzo states that when used together, forest, path and clearing can “create a narrative journey of enlightenment” due to the contrasting degrees of enclosure experienced and associated sudden reveal of the sky when someone enters a large open area. However, it is cautioned that if the created or designed path through the ‘forest’ is too dark or dense it could result in potentially adverse effects to an individual’s mental health. Neuroscience for Designing Green Spaces quotes an Australian study carried out by Moyle et al (2018) which showed that “dementia patients displayed increased anxiety upon VR Forest exposure” and highlights that in another study (Larson et al, 2018) a dense tree canopy was found to increase levels of anxiety in some neurodivergent groups such as autistic children. Consequently, it is recommended that paths through a ‘forest’ should be clear and distinct as well as leading to a desirable destination such as a clearing.

As highlighted by Olszewska-Guizzo, water can elicit a strong emotional response capable of “significantly raising the preference of a given landscape view”. She emphasises that in addition to its numerous aesthetic qualities there is also a “deep connection to human evolution” associated with its life-giving properties and religious associations. Although it is acknowledged that there are obvious safety concerns and some ongoing maintenance issues associated with the introduction of water into many mental health settings it can be included as a ‘contemplative’ focal point in many reception / courtyard spaces in a low-risk manner and in other instances a site layout may seek to maximise views of water bodies located outside a site’s boundaries.

In her book Olszewska-Guizzo makes reference to the older trees often being regarded as “a symbol of life and immortality” as well as well as representing concepts such as physical growth and “psychological maturation”. Consequently, this evidence of their contemplative benefits adds further weight to the already widely acknowledged importance of retaining existing visually significant trees at a developments site planning stage and of Landscape Architects ensuring there is enough space provided for any proposed trees to grow to their full size.

Large stones have long been assigned with religious and spiritual significance by different cultures, with an obvious everyday example being the inscribed stone slabs in a churchyard or cemetery. In a healthcare setting boulders can often be modified to double up as a focal water feature.

Neuroscience for Designing Green Spaces confirms that the archetypal ‘mountain’ can be represented in a landscape design context by a mound which beside its heroic connotations can both act as an visually intermediate focal point and serve to direct a viewer’s attention up to the sky, prompting in some instances the “feeling of moving to a higher spiritual plane”.

The final archetypal element, widely deployed by Landscape Architects, is the Circle, representing “wholeness and unity” as well as being a symbol in some cultures of “renewal and rebirth”  This can drive the form of spaces as well as the design of other elements such as archways.

1. Biodiversity (16%): Olszewska-Guizzo highlights the fact relatively sparsely vegetated environments such as a beach or desert can constitute a valuable contemplative environment and the determining factor is the perception of wildness and richness rather than the total number of species that may be present in any given area. She states that, regardless of ethical origins, “Neuroscience research has established that the curved or broken lines and asymmetric, chaotic patterns  will be preferred by our senses, and hence the brain will generate more positive exposure than exposure to straight lines”. This suggests that less rigidly geometric landscape design schemes reinforced with informal / naturalistic planting are likely to have the greatest potential to provide mental health benefits. At Khoo Tech Puat, Singapore’s greenest hospital, the plants in the green roof gardens now attract up to 35 different species of butterfly and the carefully selected tree species are visited by 24 species of birds. This highlights that well designed biodiverse environments can also provide incidental contact with wildlife, which is widely accepted as contributing to increased levels of well-being.

1. Colour and light (13%): Neuroscience for Designing Green Spaces states that “according to CLM the most contemplative colours in a landscape scene are of a warm hue and low saturation” although it is acknowledged that this may not in many cases accord with someone’s personal preferences. The enlivening effect of the constantly patterns of light and shade, is highlighted as being particularly, something which constitutes another benefit associated with the retention / inclusion of trees in projects.

1. Landform (10%): Olszewska-Guizzo observes that “looking up to the sky, watching the sunset or moving clouds and observation of the stars at night has been always connected to contemplation”. Consequently, she advocates the incorporation of both architectural and landscape elements (including seating furniture with a tilted back such as longue chairs) which direct someone’s attention upwards. In addition, she highlights that Environmental psychology research has revealed a general preference for a smooth undulating asymmetrical topography, due to its stronger association with the natural world.

• Compatibility (8%): Olszewska-Guizzo highlights in her book the necessity for ‘wilderness’ elements within a particular landscape, to be appropriately managed and for there to be a correct balance with more manicured elements, to avoid potentially increasing levels of anxiety in some individuals In addition, she stresses the importance of spatial order and simplicity, in the design of therapeutic landscapes, as this minimises the risk of distracting stimuli which can significantly reduce the contemplative potential of a particular space. Although reference above has been made to the importance, in many instances,  of external views Olszewska-Guizzo emphasises that contemplative space is often effectively centred around a focal point which can inwardly focus an individual’s attention and be perceived by them as offering a sense of sanctuary. Quoted examples include cloisters associated with medieval monasteries, Japanese Zen gardens and pocket parks, all of which have some degree of relevance to the type of landscape treatments appropriate in many mental health settings.