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| 3.3.7.1 |
An Overseas Example — A Sensory Garden in a Public District Park |
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| This sensory garden is perhaps one of the first few examples found overseas that adopts the concept of universal accessibility in creating and maintaining a public park/garden. The garden of about 2,000 sq.m. is situated within a public district park of nearly 90 hectares. |
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| The original project brief was to renovate an existing Garden for the Blind 6, which had become rundown. However, the designer’s vision extended further and he converted this reclusive place into a fully accessible landscaped garden for all potential visitors irrespective of their physical ability and age. |
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| From overall site planning to detailed design, all aspects were thoroughly planned out (3.3.7.1a to 3.3.7.1y). Positive commitment from the local community and user groups was successfully solicited at the start of the project. Moreover, all provisions in the garden were fully tested during the commissioning stage, and the effort was further sustained in the operation and maintenance programme by means of volunteer support. The garden has now become a popular yet tranquil area within the district park. |
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| This is a very successful example of achieving universal accessibility in a public open space without undermining the aesthetic quality or the functional requirements. |
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| 6 Y. Miyake, the designer of the project. See Preiser, 2001. |
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| (a) |
Multi-media information |
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A large eye-catching road sign shows visitors arriving by car the direction to the Park’s main entrance (3.3.7.1a). |
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Overall information about the Park is presented on a large directory mounted on a tilted plane (3.3.7.1b). The multi-media directory has a large coloured map and picture plates, audio devices activated by large buttons, as well as information in large text and Braille (3.3.7.1c). The directory is designed to be accessible to all visitors. |
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Pictorial signs are located at major junctions throughout the park for easy way finding (3.3.7.1d). |
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To facilitate appreciation by all visitors, relief clay tiles of feature plants grown in the garden are displayed along the entrance wall. The tiles indicate the outlines of both flower and leaf as well as the name of the plant. Information in Braille is also provided underneath the guide handrail (3.3.7.1e). |
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At the entrance, signage both in written text and in Braille provides information about the garden (3.3.7.1f). |
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To facilitate appreciation of the seasonal flowers by visitors, adaptable weatherproof plant labels are provided with the plant name in written text, syllabic writing and Braille (3.3.7.1g). |
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| 3.3.7.1a Large sign for visitors arriving by car |
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3.3.7.1b Multi-media directory that conveys information to all users |
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| 3.3.7.1c User-friendly devices |
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3.3.7.1d Pictorial signs that facilitate way finding |
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3.3.7.1e Landscape feature with visual and tactile sensory interest |
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| 3.3.7.1f Information provided in written text and in Braille |
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3.3.7.1g A good and simple example of plant label that can be flexibly used |
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| (b) |
Accessible design features and supporting services |
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There is an unobstructed accessible entrance from the park into the sensory garden. A low feature wall together with a tactile guide path and handrails give clear direction into the garden (3.3.7.1h). |
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At the main entrance of the garden, a multi-media information panel is placed at an accessible height. Information is presented in tactile graphics, written text and Braille; audio messages are activated by large push buttons (3.3.7.1i). |
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At each junction along the travel route, a pair of unique eye-catching gateway features is placed on top of pillars to facilitate orientation and way finding (3.3.7.1j). |
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An accessible pocket space with a timber bench is ingeniously designed along the accessible edge of a raised reflective pool. This provides a seamless visual link to the existing pond and brings the water surface (and aquatic plants) to an accessible level (3.3.7.1k). |
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Seating benches are set back from the main circulation path and recessed into the raised flowerbeds, providing easy access to the lowlying herbaceous plants. Toe space provided at the bottom of the raised planters facilitate visitors to lean forward or to get some support from the planter edge (3.3.7.1m). |
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Innovative design of a small water feature (a raised pond) provides both wheelchair access and visual link to the existing pond of the park. An overhanging edge brings the water surface to a reachable distance and enables the splashing of water by wheelchair-bound visitors, children, and those who have problems bending down (3.3.7.1n). |
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Seating opportunity is maximized at locations where elements that stimulate sight and/or sound are provided. Wheelchair space is also provided next to the bench offering equal opportunity for every visitor to enjoy the pleasant experience (3.3.7.1p). |
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Seating is provided to maximize enjoyment of the best views or scenery within the herbaceous garden. Armrests are spaced out at different intervals to meet diverse needs (3.3.7.1q). |
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A toilet block is provided near the main entrance of the garden for convenience (3.3.7.1r). A full range of user-friendly provisions is found, including tactile guide path, floor plan with illustrations in written text and Braille, and large information signs, etc. |
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An accessible and easy to operate turnstile is provided at the main park entrance from the car park area. It is a very useful device for controlling unauthorized vehicular access, while allowing free admission to visitors with bicycles, prams and wheelchairs (3.3.7.1s). |
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| 3.3.7.1h Clear visual and tactile clues leading to the entrance gate of the garden |
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3.3.7.1i Multi-media information panel is very popular amongst visitors |
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3.3.7.1j Clear visual and tactile clues to facilitate way finding within the garden |
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| 3.3.7.1k Water surface is at a reachable range at this seating pocket, which is also provided with a wheelchair space |
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3.3.7.1m Seating benches recessed into raised flowerbeds |
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3.3.7.1n Carefully designed planters and water features with knee and toe space |
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| 3.3.7.1p Good spatial relationship between seating bench and sensory attractions |
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3.3.7.1q Adaptive seating |
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| 3.3.7.1r Toilet block located at the main entrance |
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3.3.7.1s Accessible turnstile that controls unauthorized vehicular access |
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| (c) |
Sensory stimulations for different experiences |
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Both natural and built elements with multi-sensory qualities are fully deployed and displayed throughout the garden. |
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For visual and tactile sensations — A small sculpture is displayed on top of a low pedestal, which is also accessible to wheelchair users. This artwork is accessible to all visitors for visual and tactile appreciation (3.3.7.1t). |
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For visual, tactile and gustatory sensations — A traditional culinary herb (Borago officinalis) with profuse vivid flowers is planted in groups along the edge of the accessible raised planters. Apart from being eye-catching and pleasant, the plant’s leaves covered with silvery hairs provide an exciting sense of touch (3.3.7.1u). |
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For auditory and tactile sensations — A special courtyard, named after the main landscape feature of a “water harp”, is accessible to all visitors; everyone can enjoy hearing the musical echoes of water dripping into a buried urn. This is an excellent example of modernizing the design of a traditional Japanese garden feature that is otherwise provided at ground level and not readily accessible (3.3.7.1v). |
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For visual and tactile sensations — A thick evergreen hedge with an opening is strategically located at the main entrance to create a visual surprise. This dramatic effect is also readily appreciated by visually impaired visitors who are sensitive to the contrast between solid and void (3.3.7.1w). |
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For visual, tactile and auditory sensations — Water cascade from the raised pond (a small elongated water feature) is accessible to wheelchair users and visually impaired visitors. Good drainage with appropriate size grating is provided (3.3.7.1x). |
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For visual, tactile and olfactory sensations — Seasonal planting is well planned to achieve a layering effect of contrasting colours at varying heights and in various visual distances. Mixed planting includes herbaceous with fragrant blossom and aromatic foliage (3.3.7.1y). |
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| 3.3.7.1t Rustic sculpture placed at reachable level |
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| 3.3.7.1u Attractive blossom of Borago officinalis (Common Borage) |
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3.3.7.1v Modern application of a traditional Japanese garden feature |
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3.3.7.1w Evergreen hedges clipped to give a dramatic effect |
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| 3.3.7.1x Water feature accessible to all visitors including children, adults, and people with disabilities |
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3.3.7.1y Attractive layering effect of colourful blossoms |
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