Abstract
This study explores the potential of design students to create environments that elicit emotions and reflections through physical design elements. Ten students were tasked with designing a columbarium memorial garden in a cemetery, incorporating natural beauty, reflective qualities, intimate spaces, and sensory experiences. Faculty conducted an in-depth evaluation of the students’ design drawings, focusing on various physical design elements and layouts. This led to identifying six key themes: soothing natural aesthetics, contemplative spatial design, symbolism and metaphors, serene sensory experiences, intimate and secure spaces, and interactive and creative elements. The results show the students’ diverse use of design elements, like the calming effect of water, the vibrancy of native plants, reflective sounds, life-stage water features, sound barrier hedges, and guiding arc circulation, significantly contributing to these themes. The study underscores the importance of physical design elements in creating spaces that promote tranquility, reflection, and emotional well-being. Analyzing the students’ work reveals that a harmonious blend of these elements can enhance the quality of landscape spaces, making them suitable for contemplation, healing, and connecting with nature. While some students focused more on physical layout than emotional impact, future designs could benefit from a deeper integration of these elements, resulting in spaces that are impactful and meaningful.
Presenters
Qing LuoAssociate Professor, Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
Emotions, Cemetery, Memorial Garden, Reflections, Site Design
