Deep bonds were forged with Cancer Lifeline clients — some who were newly diagnosed, some who were in the midst of recurrence and some who would be fortunate to see the gardens completed. As a result of Daniel's leadership, vision and passion for the project, the students found themselves in a learning experience that far exceeded expectations," wrote Barbara Frederick, who was executive director of Cancer Lifeline when Winterbottom and his students designed and built three healing gardens at one of its centers.
"From the very beginning Daniel, himself, modeled exactly what he expected from his students: Careful listening to Cancer Lifeline's needs and dreams, respect for all input — some of which was a little over the top — and finding ways to include us all in the process," Frederick wrote.
The UW Department of Landscape Architecture, where Winterbottom is an associate professor, possesses a long-standing commitment to public service, according to his colleague Associate Professor Iain Robertson. Over the last decade, Winterbottom has developed a design/build program where students construct what they've designed and where the projects involve service learning. The work comprises a very large and innovative portion of the department's public service record, Robertson writes.
Ryan Storkman writes in support of Winterbottom's nomination, "From a student perspective, design/build is truly unique because of the social complexity of the projects Professor Winterbottom brings to the table. He consistently finds design challenges that inspire his students to respond to populations and emotions that are often overlooked in day-to-day life: A cancer living center, a prison garden and an elementary school courtyard, to name just a few. Through all of his work Professor Winterbottom breaks down the traditional realms of landscape architecture, raising questions of larger social justice in the context of design. How can a landscape be a place of healing? A place of penitence? A place of learning?
The genesis of the design/build program and the use of gardens for compromised populations emerged about the same time back in 1995, Winterbottom says.
Just what makes, say, a healing garden at a hospital different from any pleasing garden involves understanding what might help "transport" patients away from the medical process, he says. For example, knowing that some people grapple with the emotions of a difficult prognosis or treatment, a designer might include a spot in the garden for privacy. Bright-colored furnishings might be particularly welcome and energizing after the neutral colors typical of institutional facilities.
"Design-build is the epitome of service learning — giving students the opportunity to develop invaluable skills that would be impossible to acquire in the classroom while creating beautiful spaces that enhance the lives of hundreds of people," says Kara Weaver, a graduate of the program.
The role of nature in healing is leading Winterbottom and his colleague to explore its role when people are dying, resulting in a new extension certificate class starting this fall. He also is researching the possible benefits of conducting physical therapy sessions in special gardens designed for that.