In the bustling rhythm of city life, where libraries and museums serve as an inimitable heart beat, there exists an often-overlooked catalyst for transformation—the integration of high-quality green spaces with our institutional beacons of culture. Imagine a world where the pursuit of knowledge is not confined to the pages of books or the hallowed halls of museums but extends into lush, vibrant gardens. This vision is not just a romantic notion; it's a reality that holds profound benefits for both the individual and the community.
The Enchanting Fusion: Where Culture Meets Nature
Picture this: You step out of the library with what will be your latest read, shuffle over to the bench and sit in the garden before being transported. The usual hushed whispers are replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves and grasses, sweet birds flit in and out of the trees and before you open your book, you inhale deeply to appreciate the simple beauty of the present moment.
You’re in a museum courtyard, sculptures share space with blooming flowers, creating an immersive experience that transcends the traditional boundaries of the institutional viewing of art. This enchanting fusion of culture and nature has the power to elevate the entire educational experience, it also exponentially increases the healing powers of both art and nature. These are no longer lofty sentiments but evidence backed neurological regulators. And forward thinking cultural institutions are taking note.
On a recent trip to the Toledo Museum of Art, we had the opportunity to traverse the interior and exterior of the museum enjoying both the art and landscape of the Glass City. There were places to sit and contemplate the complexity of both. I certainly was flush with inspiration for what could be possible with an expansion of those gardens.
Consider also, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., a beacon of American history and culture. Beyond its impressive collections, the Smithsonian Gardens offer visitors a respite from the urban hustle. The serene Enid A. Haupt Garden, nestled between museums, becomes a sanctuary for reflection, inviting patrons to integrate their experience in a tranquil setting. It's not just about what's inside the exhibits but how it changes what is inside of us. On Adam Grant’s most recent Work Life podcast episode, he spoke with Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen on the science of neuroaesthetics and the physical changes that take place in the brain, with viewing art as the catalyst. I was pleased to hear them incorporate the healing power of nature and the neuroaesthetic benefits of landscapes into the conversation.
The Healing Power of Nature: Integrating Gardens into Cultural Spaces
Delve into the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, where the Perkins Wildlife Center & Woods Garden seamlessly blends into the institution. This immersive experience allows visitors to connect with nature while exploring exhibits. The Butterfly Garden becomes a living classroom, merging the scientific with the serene—it offers a proof concept for the power of hope when faced with the edge of extinction.
Community Connection: Gardens as Educational Hubs
We’re still waiting for the explosion of generative spaces as part of the foundation of our cultural institutions but I have a feeling that it won’t be long now. We had high hopes for the Brooklyn Public Library's Greenpoint Environmental & Agriculture Exchange (GEAE) and the precedent it might set. This community-led project transforms library spaces into dynamic hubs of education and sustainability and the project is ambitiously pursuing LEED Platinum certification. Workshops, gardening programs, and interactive exhibits are intended to empower patrons to not only absorb information but actively engage with the landscape, fostering a deeper connection with their surroundings. What we lack is the bridge to get us there.
Our Solution
Companies like ours are that bridge. We are horticulture professionals, who know how to care for the plants in each garden, when to prune them, when to take cut flowers to a vase on the desk and how to prepare the space for programs and workshops according to the season and topic of instruction. The truth is, to the trained eye, there is much left to be desired in these spaces, specifically as it relates to long term care and practical community use.
As we witness catastrophic environmental degradation and consider the examples set forth, it becomes evident that the integration of high-quality green spaces into cultural institutions is not a luxury but a necessity. It's a call to action for libraries and museums to embrace the transformative potential of nature, creating environments that inspire, educate, and rejuvenate. We had the pleasure of transforming one such space this fall for the Queens Public Library at Windsor Park. We removed portions of the lawn to make space for a more useful pollinator meadow. The milkweed, asters, Carolina allspice and bee balm will provide much needed forage in this high traffic and lawn heavy corridor.
In this future that I’ve asked you to imagine, libraries and museums cease to be repositories of knowledge; they become living ecosystems, where the pursuit of wisdom is integrated by patrons in the serenity and comfort of gardens. Incorporating green spaces in the foundations of these cultural bastions is not just a nod to aesthetics; it's a commitment to a holistic existence—one that recognizes the profound impact of nature on the human spirit and the quest for simple beauty.