1. The design of this retreat master plan project
caters to a specific, overlooked age group
of cancer patients going through treatment
or post treatment. The project incorporates
design methods and characteristics of resorts,
cancer retreats, and therapeutic design into the
design along with celebrating the site history to
support the physical and psychological needs
of this particular group. This retreat provides
an escape while fostering a community, thus
providing the proper support these individuals
require. Research on therapeutic and evidence
based design created the basis for this project
of capitalizing on nature to utilize the healing
and health benefits exposure to nature
provides. Four goals; (1) providing access to
nature, (2) providing a community and support
system, (3) meeting the patients’ physical and
psychological needs, and (4) connecting to the
site history while creating a sense of place,
were created each with the focus of capitalizing
on nature.
Cancer is increasing in prevalence and is
“now the second leading cause of death in
the United States accounting for 1 in every 4
deaths with 1,660,290 new cases expected
to be diagnosed this year” (American Cancer
Society). Individuals suffering from this
illness deal with symptoms, both physical
and psychological, along with other hardships
that need to be addressed especially in future
designs. The age group chosen, 20-60, is very
overlooked in this regard with facilities typically
focused on youth or elderly populations.
This age group has needs that are not being
met, a major one being provided an escape
from their hectic lifestyle and stress. Along
with not having places designed for this age
group, those that are available are still within
the hospital realm not fully separating these
individuals from what is directly related to their
illness and these causes of stress. This project
designed such a place and paired this escape
with the benefits exposure to nature provides.
The site chosen for the project is the Abe
Martin Lodge within Brown County State Park
in Indiana. Inventory and analysis of the 128
acre site brought to light current structures’
potential for refacilitation into medical and
therapy facilities, locations of prime views
out to the surrounding landscape and nature,
current water movement patterns and potential
design connections, as well as possible
accessibility limitations due to the site’s slope
percentages. The site’s topography and its tie
to patient accessibility lead to the creation of
three programs based on the slope percentages
0-5%, 5-10%, and 10-20%. Each program
looked at physical characteristics of the site
and patients, along with their needs that would
be able to occur within that slope percentage.
The program then branched off from physical
attributes looking at psychological needs, both
social and individual, that could occur within
that zone as well.
The 23 acre area around the lodge that
includes the cabin clusters was then focused
on to gain more detail. For this area four
concepts; (1)water, (2)movement and
wayfinding, (3)visual access and natural
exposure, and (4)stress, each a therapeutic
element or design concept, were done. Each
concept was chosen to connect and meet each
of the four goals. Ideal aspects of each one
were taken and combined into a final concept.
In order to show how the design was meeting
each goal, however, the final concept was
divided into layers based on characteristics that
were meeting each goal. Then each of these
layers was analyzed and the area within each
that was meeting that goal best was located.
The area determined was the southern 8 acre
half of the site and thus was further designed
in a master plan.
The master plan was broken into three design
areas based on meeting a goal and designed
in more detail; (1)community area focused
on community building and socialization, (2)
terrace area focused on maximizing exposure
to nature and providing access, and (3)therapy
area focused on meeting patient needs and
stress relief. An area within the master plan
was separately designed further through
a grading plan and diagrams to show the
design’s focus on accessibility and wayfinding
as well as seasonal and sensory charts to show
the design’s focus to connect to the site and
provide sensory stimulation for symptom relief
through plantings.
Overall this project took in-depth research
paired with design thinking to fuse resort
and retreat characteristics with therapeutic
elements to meet the dynamic needs of a
specific population. In turn a community and
support system was fostered, connecting
to the site and its history, while maximizing
exposure to nature to gain the health benefits
it provides.
Problem &
Significance
Project Title: Cancer Directing Design: Incorporating Patient Needs in Design Solutions
Project Location: Brown County State Park, Indiana
Project Type: Therapeutic retreat
3. family cabins
abe martin lodge
cabins
cabins
cabins
cabins
Lodge Location
cabins
The site is 128 acres, bounded by major
surrounding valleys, located at the Abe Martin
Lodge within Brown County State Park near
the north entrance. The park is located in the
southern half of the Indiana near Nashville,
Indiana.
The Setting, Context, &
Site
PATIENTS
Social Interaction
Patients Needs
Access to Nature
Connection
Community/
Support System
Health Benefits
History/Sense
of Place
Physical
Psychological
Patients Needs
Physical
Psychological
Fatigue
Sun/Odor Sensitivity
Confusion
Pain
Nausea
Stress/Anxiety
Sense of Loss
Lack of Control
Social Support
Depression
Spiritual/Emotional
Project Goals
6. Zone1:0-5%Zone2:5-10%Zone3:10-20%
assistance
fatigue/weakness
nausea/pain
sun/odor
low mobility
resting
therapy
light exercise
viewing nature
sensory
no fragrances
varying group size
classes
very flat
0-5% slopes
views down/water
adjacent buildings/
medical facilities
views from buildings
clear entry points
ramps at entries
no stairs/smooth
wayfinding
views
golf cart access
access to sun/shade
shelter
stress
flexibility
emotional/spiritual
confusion
contemplation
education
meditation
expression
private/public
clear layout
views/buffers
support
social interaction
flexibility
expression
group therapy
education
conversation
comm area
seating
group sizes
classes
little assistance
some fatigue
nausea/less pain
sun/odor
medium mobility
resting options
therapy
exercise
viewing nature
sensory
distance walking
some fragrances
varying group size
classes
flat - sloped
5-10% slopes
views down/water
within 3-5 min walk
to lodge/cabins/
medical facilities
clear entry points
ramps at entries
some stairs/smooth
discovery aspect
views
golf cart access
access to sun/shade
shelter
stress
flexibility
emotional/spiritual
less confusion
contemplation
education
meditation
expression
private/public
clear layout
views/buffers
support
social interaction
flexibility
expression
group therapy
education
conversation
comm area
seating
group sizes
classes
no physical
limitations
nausea
sun/odor
high mobility
resting
therapy
difficult exercise
park activities
sensory
some fragrances
varying group size
classes
hilly
10-20% slopes
views down/water
within 5 min walking
distance or greater
outer edge of design
clear entry points
ramps at entries
stairs
discovery aspect
views
parks/trails
access to sun/shade
shelter
stress
flexibility
emotional/spiritual
no confusion
contemplation
education
meditation
expression
private/public
clear layout
views/buffers
support
social interaction
flexibility
expression
group therapy
education
conversation
comm area
seating
group sizes
classes
7. Movement/Wayfinding
WaterVisual Access/Nature Exposure
Stress
goals
concepts
Connection Between
Goals & Concepts
As mentioned four goals based on this
patient group were made. Design concepts
were thought of that would directly relate
to meeting a goal while connecting to a key
therapeutic design element that would help
meet this patient group’s needs.
8. needs socialization
access to nature connection
needs
socialization
access to nature
connection
Final Concept Goal Layers
Master Plan Concept & Meeting
Goals
The final concept was broken into layers
based on goals to confirm each was being met.
The area within these layers that best met
that goal was located. This southern half of the
design was thus focused on.
9. trees
prairie
woods edge/sun
woodland
Senses & Site Connection
Native Plants
Native Indiana plants were chosen,
connecting to the site. Each provides seasonal
interest or habitat, connecting to one of
the senses. Sensory stimulation relieves
symptoms, provides distraction, and increases
natural exposure. Lastly plants were used for
wayfinding to guide patients.
Native Plant Zones
10. Plant Sensory Stimulation Charts
winter
fall summer
spring
sensehabitat
winter
fall summer
spring
sensehabitat
winter
fall summer
spring
sensehabitat
perennials
trees/shrubs
grass/groundcovers
11. 2 mph ~ 880’
3
m
ph ~ .25 miles (1320’)
1
mph ~ 440’
1/2
m
ph ~ 220
’
average walker
patient walker
wheelchair/
IV walker
Access & Walking
Distances
Physical abilities of average visitors, patients,
and those in wheelchairs or with IVs were
looked at and their walking distances at
different speeds within a 5 minute period were
compared showing aspects and experiences on
site that each would experience.
Access & Wayfinding
Elements
Physical accessibility was looked at, linking
route type to accessibility level. Routes were
paired with views and wayfinding. Primary
views lead patients through major areas and
wayfinding elements are placed at major points
of decision making and along primary routes.
wayfinders
visual access
access routes
natural access
base
natural
signage
nature
tertiary
secondary
primary
most accessible
accessible
least accessible
primary route
secondary route
tertiary route
12. The grading plan illustrates the intent to
increase accessibility, promoting an intuitive
layout. All slopes, routes, and steps are in
compliance with the Forest Service Outdoor
Recreation Accessibility Guidelines.
Access & Wayfinding
Grading Plan 0 60’ N
13. Terrace Area
Details
The terrace area orients toward the
surrounding natural area, using topography
to focus patients on nature. Views focus out
to nature while enhancing wayfinding allowing
patients to view down to spaces. Areas and
routes were paired with accessibility levels
also.
Terrace Area Spaces & Dimensions
15. Community Area
Details
The community area focuses on providing
choice in socialization to meet patient
preferences. Choices are provided in routes/
seating with the option of being in sun or
shade. A layer over this is enhancing exposure
to nature with greenspace interwoven within.
Community Area Spaces & Dimensions
16. seating
shade areas
main route
water
secondary route
natural wayfinder
signage
entry plaza
deck
community area
semi private
community area
prairie
Community Design Areas
Seating & Wayfinding/Routes
0 15’ N
17. Therapy Area
The therapy area provides choice in
socialization, methods of exercise while
integrating rest areas, and exposure to nature
due to its health benefits. Spaces are oriented
towards the surrounding landscape with
methods of sensory stimulation to provide
symptom relief.
