Riga Psychiatry and Narcology Center (RPNC) by Atelier Landscaping Public Spaces (ALPS)

Atelier for landscape and public spaces (ALPS) has been cooperating with RPNC since the fall of 2013. Every year, RPNC (Riga Psychiatry and Narcology Center) serves about 89,000 patients, and the statistics are brutal – every year patient numbers grow, diagnoses such as depression and burnout are increasing in an increasingly younger age group. The importance of high-quality outdoor space not only in our everyday lives, but also in the treatment process has been confirmed by academically recognized studies and publications over the past ten years. Changes in thinking and also in the physical environment take time.

In 2013-2014, a concept for the regeneration of the spatial structure and landscaping of the territory was developed. The concept envisages the creation of nine treatment and therapy gardens – the symbolic basis for the division of space – the solar cycle.

2014. Exhibition Sarkandaugava – Garden. An emotionally powerful message that marks the true beginning of the implementation of the concept for the regeneration of the outdoor space of the Riga Psychiatry and Narcology Center and has also received international recognition.

2014. RPNC entrance part landscaping and pedestrian walkway reconstruction project and its implementation.

In 2020, after a longer break, work resumed and the concept was developed in detail. It was created in accordance with the basic principles of salutogenesis and therapeutic garden creation.

FOR THE PATIENT, the garden is a refuge, a place to find strength to not give in and not sink deeper into their current health condition / diagnosis. Outdoor space, the surroundings serve as a complementary “instrument” that helps the patient find peace and promote resistance to the disease.

FOR THE STAFF, the garden is not only a functional space intended for daily work, but also a moment of rest – a respite and breath between many duties and burdens of responsibility. Outdoor space creates a brief feeling of absence in the long work process;

FOR THE VISITOR, the garden territory serves as an “island of peace”. Being in the garden, a person renews their spiritual resources and finds the strength to continue solving everyday problems, not to burn out and to more easily perceive the surrounding and what is happening;

FOR THE RESIDENT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, the garden is like an educational space where they learn harmony with nature and tolerance, forbearance and reduce prejudice and fear, stigmatization of the field of mental health care.

The basis of landscaping and design solutions is the person, human needs and health.

• Project typology:
A long-lasting cooperation of RPNC and ALPS landscape architects. Development of long-term concept of outdoor spaces, step-by-step activities in developing each part accordingly. As well as many social and community activities in bringing awareness to mental health issues and support in implementing outdoor space improvements.

• All landscape architecture offices involved in the design of landscape:
Ltd. “ALPS ainavu darbnica” Ltd.

• Other credits:
“ALPS ainavu darbnica” team – landscape architects Ilze Ruksane, Ieva Dimante, Metra Augskapa, Sendija Aditaja, Santa Kreslina

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