Natividad Medical Center has the only acute rehabilitation center in the County of Monterey. The center assists patients and their families transition from an acute hospital setting to their home environment. There are three walled, courtyard gardens within the facility which appear outdated and neglected. The transformation of these spaces into therapeutic healing gardens was the ultimate goal. In turn, the gardens have the ability to reduce stress, provide relief from physical symptoms, and improve of the overall sense of well-being to the patients and their families.

Careful site analysis informed appropriate programming of the different spaces:
1) contemplative and peaceful;
2) playful and artful; and
3) functional and active.

Spaces were composed to be comfortable to be in as well as interesting to look at from inside the building. A hand rendered plan was created for each court- yard with associated imagery to help de ne the character and feel of the space.