Understanding Therapeutic Spaces on Purdue's Campus 

The methods and strategies that make up our data collection options are focused around questioning observers on aspects of the chosen areas, gauging certain aspects of each person to best understand their reactions towards the points along a designated path. Each of the points along the route were determined based on their likelihood to be positive, therapeutic locations and/or areas in between the therapeutic spots that can help to gauge how the users feel in positions near highly traveled paths. Therapeutic points, like the Bell Tower fountain and garden, are selected based on the observation of plants, microclimate factors, or noise buffers that make them more isolated from the busy campus spaces and are more likely to prove peaceful for the users. For these areas, the users are able to traverse the space for a few minutes and find a spot within the therapeutic zone in which they feel most comfortable. Once they do so, we can begin to collect data from there. As for the points that are located in closer proximity to high traffic zones, there will be specific spots for the users to sit/stand to accurately collect data on how it feels to be in a more chaotic position. One piece of data we feel will be valuable in assessing whether or not a point is truly therapeutic is the heart rate of the individual going about the path and interacting with the designated spaces. Secondly, is asking each individual questions to best analyze their understanding of what makes the specific spaces more remedial. This process will be used on individuals already using the therapeutic zones and will help to determine what pieces brought them to the space as well as what could be improved.