Landscape architect Derek Kalp collaborated closely with a design team to develop the healing garden at Mount Nittany Medical Center, located in State College, PA, with the objective to offer peace and solace for patients and guests during their stay. Large sandstone boulders, which were quarried in the region, enhance the natural characteristic of the serene outdoor setting. “This therapeutic garden is about providing a place of refuge and respite for patients, visitors and staff that’s accessible to everyone,” explained Kalp. “The strolling garden paths create large leaf shapes that can also be viewed from patient rooms above for those who can’t make it out into the garden.”  

The primary garden space is a terrace with a large boulder feature and waterfall as its center attraction. “The idea was to use the boulders to partition the plaza into two garden rooms with a connecting window and a sheet of cascading water that replaces the glass,” said the landscape architect. “The feature is oriented on the north/south axis so that low-angled sunlight in the mornings and evenings can shine through the water.”