Client Brief
Working closely with St. John’s Hospice to understand the needs of patients, staff and visitors, our garden design brief was to revamp and rejuvenate existing underused sites, in order to introduce accessible and immersive spaces while providing a meaningful and joyous connection to nature.
For the Inpatient Unit at the front of the Hospice, we completely redesigned this garden to give access from all areas of the hospice into a beautiful, safe and welcoming space. .
Planting Design
While retaining some of the existing boundary structural planting, our planting design used a diverse range of perennials and shrubs for year round interest. Plants were selected from specialist nurseries to provide wonderful colour, scent and textures, striving to have the longest flowering seasons and attract a broad spectrum of pollinators.
Designed for accessibility
Our garden design included smooth and permeable paving, allowing patients in hospital beds and wheelchairs to move freely around the garden, and areas carved into the beds enables patients to be immersed in the planting.
Our values
We understand how nature can have a profound effect on our wellbeing, offering a restorative space for reflection, a sanctuary through sensory engagement and a gentle connection to life’s cycles,
Garden Design for the Day Care Unit
The Garden Design for the DCU, which runs the whole length of the side of Hospice, works with existing mature trees and the hospice buildings to provide both sunny and shady areas for patients and staff to sit in. Again, the path has a smooth resin finish for ease of access.
Planting Design
Understanding the importance of the sensory experience in a garden, especially in a hospice garden, we chose plants from specialist nurseries for their scent, structure, texture and beauty, particularly planting for scent around seating and dining areas.
Maintenance
As with all projects, it’s great to be part of the maintenance team, overseeing how the planting progresses and working with the Hospice staff and patients to keep the gardens looking vibrant and cared for throughout the year.