Ryan Tirrell, Allied ASID, NCIDQ | July 2025
In the heart of Middlebury, Vermont, where green hills meet quiet forests, Helen Porter Rehabilitation and Nursing saw an opportunity to transform its courtyard into a serene space that connects residents to nature. With the calming embrace of the surrounding Vermont landscape, rich in fresh air and rolling vistas, this vision aimed to offer a sense of freedom and tranquility. For many residents, the outdoors was a cherished part of their past, providing comfort and solace. As they age, providing access to nature honors their personal history and preferences, allowing them to reconnect with the environment they love and experience the peace that has shaped their lives.
For individuals living with dementia, movement within a safe, enclosed environment is not just a perk, it is essential to their well-being. Many of Helen Porter’s residents have spent their lives in Vermont, drawn to its outdoor beauty and rural charm. To suddenly lose access to that world can be disorienting and negatively impact overall health. By reimagining the outdoor courtyard, Helen Porter sought to restore that connection, creating an environment where residents could wander freely, soak in the fresh air, participate in gardening, and find peace in the familiar sights and sounds of nature.
Partnering with Lavallee Brensinger Architects and VHB, Helen Porter embarked on a mission to design a courtyard that was more than just an outdoor space, it was to be a sanctuary. The renovation was carefully woven into the broader upgrades to the facility, incorporating seamless accessibility for residents across various care households including rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and memory care.
For those living with dementia and neurodegenerative conditions, outdoor areas provide both a refuge and a source of gentle stimulation. Sunlight filtering through the trees, the sound of birdsong, the feel of a breeze against the skin—these small experiences have profound effects, easing anxiety, lifting spirits, and fostering a sense of calm (de Boer et al., 2017). Secure outdoor spaces also encourage physical activity and engagement with the environment, reinforcing a sense of autonomy while offering reassurance to caregivers. Security should be seamless, a non-negotiable secondary design element that allows that level of freedom.
Beyond the physical benefits, these spaces offer something less tangible but equally vital: dignity. For many residents, Vermont’s natural beauty has been a defining part of their lives. To be able to maintain that connection and once again step outside, breathe in the scent of pine and earth, and feel the warmth of the sun on their skin is not just therapeutic—it is a return to self. It is a reminder of who they are and where they come from.
The importance of integrating nature into geriatric psychiatric and dementia care cannot be overstated. In a place where the outdoors has always been cherished, it is only natural that it remains part of daily life, even within the walls of a care facility. The secure courtyard at Helen Porter is not merely a means of promoting safety; it is a gateway to joy, connection, and continued engagement with the world. It is proof that even in later stages of life, there are still new moments of peace to be found, still chances to feel the wind on your face, and still opportunities to live with dignity and freedom.
About Ryan Tirrell
Ryan Tirrell, Allied ASID, NCIDQ, Interior Designer
603.622.5450 Extension 133 | ryan.tirrell@LBPA.com
Ryan is a creative and passionate interior designer dedicated to producing high-quality, creative work. Ryan is skilled at transforming spaces through color and texture to create the best environment for clients. His designs help preserve the dignity of residents while keeping them safe and comfortable. Ryan is passionate about designing environments that empower clients and residents to develop a healthy sense of well-being.