URI Medicinal Garden

Kingston, RI

Selected as a finalist in this competition Searle and Searle proposed a garden that would function as a cohesive art piece. The movement of people and water flow through the garden along a strong central axis like that of a leaf. Stormwater is used as an opportunity instead of a constraint and culminates in a spiral shaped rain garden that collects water from the whole site. The importance of medicinal plants and different systems of healing used worldwide organize the plant choices and enhance the educational experience of the visitor. Art pieces by Joshua Enck and Matthias Plessnig would act as focal points in the garden creating emphasis and variety.