“Evidence-Based Design (EBD) is the process of basing decisions about the built environment on credible research to achieve the best possible outcomes.” – The Center for Health Design
Or in our own words, Evidence-Based Design is using quantitative, and sometimes qualitiative, research to design environments that facilitate health and improve outcomes. In some settings, design based on intuition or common sense is fine. But when it comes to creating spaces for specific people with specific needs (and where the space is designed for a specific outcome or result), design must be based on sound research.
Below are some good resources. We are still building this list, so check back again to see what we have added. If you have recommendations, let us know.
Two of the best online, searchable resources for articles are:
InformeDesign – www.informedesign.umn.edu
Free searchable database of
articles on architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, city planning, and other areas of environmental design. This is a free resource, but donations are welcome.
and
Research Design Connections – www.researchdesignconnections.com
"Research Design Connections (RDC) distills the essence of high-quality recent research and translates it from “science-ease” into everyday language. We share this information with subscribers in a quarterly electronic newsletter and in our archive of past articles."
Books
A Visual Reference for Evidence-Based Design, by Jain Malkin
“Includes a discussion and definition of EBD and how it dovetails with challenging issues of patient care, quality improvement, patient safety and infection control issues.” Focuses on indoor architecture, but there is enough about outdoor space and contact with nature to make this worth reading and having as a reference.
Evidence-Based Healthcare Design, by Rosalyn Cama (2009). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Reviewed by Debra D. Harris in Health Environments Research & Design (HERD), 2009, Vol, 2, No. 4, pp. 132-135.
Click here to read part of the review.
Healing Gardens: Therapeutic Benefits and Design Recommendations, Eds. Clare Cooper Marcus and Marni Barnes
Chapters on gardens in acute care general, children’s, nursing homes, hospices, psychiatric hospitals, and more. Each chapter has a historicalal overview, literature review, case studies, and design recommendations. Also chapters on theory and research and practical ideas on fundraising and construction.
The Healing Landscape: Therapeutic Outdoor Environments, by Martha Tyson
“Gives design and health care professionals the tools to assess therapeutic goals for garden users and to plan, design, construct, and evaluate gardens that best serve these healing needs.” Combines theory and practical solutions.
Healing Spaces: The Science and Place of Well-Being, by Esther Sternberg, M.D.
A neuroscientist’s perspective on the power of our environment to influence our health and well-being, with a strong emphasis on the importance of nature.
Interaction by Design: Bringing People and Plants Together for Health and Well-Being, Ed. Candice Shoemaker
Proceedings from the 2000 International Symposium. An excellent broad view with contributions from stellar researchers and practitioners.
A Practitioner’s Guide to Evidence-Based Design, by Debra D. Harris, Anjali Joseph, Franklin Becker, D. Kirk Hamilton, Mardelle McCuskey Shepley, and Craig Zimring
“This 98-page guide is an easy-to-use tool for evidence-based design (EBD) practitioners or those looking to become EBD practitioners. Additionally, it serves as a guide on how to use evidence in design projects, and conduct research to assess effectiveness of design projects. This book focuses on practice based research as opposed to academic research.”
Social and Therapeutic Horticulture: Evidence and Messages from Research, by Joe Sempik, Jo Aldridge, and Saul Becker (can be bought on the AHTA website)
“Analysis of 131 texts presented in this review provides evidence on the outcomes and effectiveness of horticulture and gardening in a number of different therapeutic settings and with different groups of people. The review presents this evidence and draws it together to create a synthesis and a model that will help to explain the processes and outcomes.”
EDAC (Evidence-Based Design Accreditation & Certification Program) Study Guides, from the Center for Health Design (www.healthdesign.org):
1. "An Introduction to Evidence-Based Design: Exploring Healthcare and Design"
2. "Building the Evidence-Base: Understanding Research in Healthcare Design"
3. "Integrating Evidence-Based Design: Practicing the Healthcare Design Process"
Journals
HERD – Health Environment Research Design Journal (published by the Center for Health Design)
Generally more focused on architecture, but they do usually have 1-2 articles about or that at least touch on interaction with nature.
Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture (published by the American Horticultural Therapy Association)
A professional journal providing information on HT research, professional issues, conference abstracts, and more. Excellent resource for horticultural therapists, designers, educators, and others interested in the interaction of people, plants, and nature.
Organizations
American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) – www.ahta.org
The Center of Health Design – www.healthdesign.org
The Children & Nature Network – www.childrenandnature.org
EDRA – Environmental Design and Research Association – www.edra.org
Meristem – www.meristem.org
Brewer, Barbara B., Joyce A. Verran, and Jaynelle F. Stichler (2008). “The Systems Research Organizing Model: A Conceptual Perspective for Facilities Design.” Health Environments Research & Design Journal (HERD), Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 7-19. "The purpose of evidence-based design is to predict and understand the factors that improve health outcomes that are involved in the design of healthcare facilities." (Stichler & Hamilton, 2008)
