Garden Therapy in a Box
June 23, 2010 by Robin Plaskoff Horton
Exploring the therapeutic aspects of gardening, students at Academy of Art San Francisco, under the tutelage of Michael Osborne, designed Bloom, a concept that utilizes plantable paper with a “prescriptive” text to communicate the product’s medical application.
Using the packaging as an expression of the therapeutic process, the box opens to form a planter that can sit on your desk while you work.
According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, recent research on psychological development and education has demonstrated the positive influence of exposing individuals of all ages and abilities to the natural world and plant-rich environments.
The therapeutic benefits of peaceful garden environments have been understood since ancient times. In the 19th century, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and considered to be the “Father of American Psychiatry,” reported that garden settings held curative effects for people with mental illness.
Horticultural therapists create garden spaces that accommodate people with a wide range of abilities. People with physical or mental disabilities benefit from gardening experiences as part of the therapy programs, as they learn skills, adaptations, and gardening methods that allow for continued participation at home.
Bloom was designed by Jon Patterson, Risaki Koyama, Sali Golzari, and Karen Cheng.
Category: Containers and Pots, Experiencing, Green & Sustainable
Tags: garden packaging, garden therapy, horticultural therapy, plantable paper, plantable paper packaging, urban garden
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To grow plants in a boxes, I found it a great idea.
— June 23, 2010 @ 14:24
What a wonderful idea. Where can I purchase this?
— June 24, 2010 @ 13:52
Great idea! Enjoy your posts.
— June 24, 2010 @ 23:46
Julie, they aren’t yet for sale, just a student project that I felt was thought-provoking. But I bet the designers and the school would love to know you are interested, perhaps they will find a way to produce them.
— June 25, 2010 @ 11:59
Garden Therapy: Great Marketing Pingback said:
[…] Exploring the therapeutic aspects of gardening, students at Academy of Art San Francisco, designed Bloom, a concept that utilizes plantable paper with a “prescriptive” text to communicate the product’s medical application. Great idea- Great Execution. via Urban Gardens […]
— June 28, 2010 @ 19:58
Six Plantable Garden-Themed Greeting Cards Printed on Seeded Paper | Urban Gardens Pingback said:
[…] designer and founder of Ruff House Design, Jill Morrison, offers growing a line of six charming garden-themed letterpress greeting cards–all printed on a hundred year-old printing press using […]
— July 30, 2013 @ 17:01