Healing Island | Think Forward

CONCEPT

Healing Island is a project for renovating a hidden neglected green space located next to a central parking lot in Burgas, Bulgaria. The project was commissioned by Burgas Municipality and developed within the frame of the GoGreenRoutes EU-funded project. The initial goal of the brief is transforming the space into a recreation park, but the factors of the site predetermine the task evolution and the definition of new goals.

The urban framework, which the municipal property is located in, includes three hospitals, among which Diagnostic and Consultative Center II - Burgas, Lung Hospital - Burgas, Oncology Center - Burgas. Benches are the only recreation element provided for the hospital patients and visitors in the periphery of the buildings. The rest of the neighborhood is occupied by „Gurko” parking lot and a penal parking lot. This is why Think Forward architects propose to Burgas Municipality to design a healing park-island for citizens and disease prevention, as well as for hospital facilities visitors, and especially for oncological patients and patients in remission. Designed as a healthy urban space, in which every element of the environment has a healing purpose, the park promotes healthy habits through communication with nature, aromatherapy, sound and water therapy, physiotherapy. The project pays attention to arts and natural materials, combining them in tactile park furniture with artistic value.

FUNCTIONAL ZONING

1. Physiotherapy zones

The project considers the oncological treatment as a multi-level process, including the disease curing, recovery, regaining one’s ability to perform various movements, strengthening the body and the psyche. A variety of facilities situated in the natural park environment ensure the execution of these treatment steps, as well as breathing exercises, physiotherapy, yoga, tai-chi, coordination and balance exercises, movement, muscles and joints strengthening.

The facilities include:

– A park podium - a slightly elevated multi-functional construction that provides area for yoga and tai chi practicing, suitable also for breathing exercises and vestibular therapy. In addition, it serves as a stage, a children's playground, a picnic area. An opening for the existing trees is formed eccentrically in the center of the podium.

– Physiotherapy zone for balance and stretching. The facilities are suitable for hospital patients and senior citizens, their mobility and physical activity.

– Motion zone. Constructed from recycled timber, the motion area is a facility with climbing and balancing elements. The zone is suitable for exercises that affect positively the musculoskeletal system. Five sheep sculptures are located on the periphery of the zone, designed for the youngest visitors to play with.

2. Sound and water therapy zones

In addition to the physical well-being, the project also pays attention to the emotional state of the visitors. In a number of foreign hospitals, music and water therapy are an essential element for treating anxiety and depression. In this regard, the park offers:

– Music Rain installation. The installation resembles the shape of a flat drum clad with two slabs of textured granite with a core of thin metal elements. Whenever river pebbles pass through the core, melodious sounds are created.

– Pipe Bells installation is a meditative musical installation made of wooden elements fixed with a chain link. The installation resembles a percussion musical instrument that produces sounds of different tonality thanks to the different lengths of the elements.

– Sound of Echo installation. The installation presents in an interactive way the path of sound going through a metal galvanized pipe, partially buried.

– Water element. A decorative water feature with a sculptural composition is built in the center of the park. The element creates a meditative water sound – a gurgle that forms the sound identity of the park atmosphere.

ARTS AND PARK FURNITURE SYNTHESIS

In the synthesis of the product design with natural materials, an opportunity is sought for aesthetic recycling of the wood of rotten trees in the park and its transformation into park furniture.

SUSTAINABILITY

1. Recycled pavement

The park alleys are covered with granite pavers, dismantled and stored by Burgas Municipality during the reconstruction of old Burgas streets.

2. Recycled mulch

The mulch, covering the motion area, is produced from the rotten trees wood in the park.

3. Recycled wood

The wooden benches and facilities are also manufactured from the rotten trees wood in the park.

4. Recycled granite slabs

The tactile granite benches are made from granite waste, provided by a manufacturer in Burgas.

5. Climate comfort

Pergolas with climbing vegetation, as well as newly planted tree species, help ensure climate comfort in the park.

6. New biodiversity

Two insect hotels are being installed in the park on the existing trees.

7. Sound identity

The natural lowering of the terrain isolates the park from noise and urban pollution. In addition, the water feature creates a gurgling sound that forms the sound identity of the park atmosphere.