Where should vegetation be located in a hospital?

Rrl
The belief that plants and gardens are beneficial for patients in healthcare environments is more than
one thousand years old and appears prominently in Asian and Western cultures (Ulrich and Parsons,
1992). Several studies of nonpatient groups (such as university students) as well as patients have
consistently shown that simply looking at environments dominated by greenery, flowers, or water — as
compared to built scenes lacking nature (rooms, buildings, towns) — is significantly more effective in
promoting recovery or restoration from stress. (See Ulrich, 1999, for a survey of studies.) A limited
amount of research suggests that viewing settings with plants or other nature for a few minutes can
promote measurable restoration even in hospital patients who are acutely stressed.
There is considerable evidence that restorative effects of nature scenes are manifested within only three
to five minutes as a combination of psychological/emotional and physiological changes. Concerning the
first, psychological/emotional, many views of vegetation or garden-like features elevate levels of
positive feelings (pleasantness, calm), and reduce negatively toned emotions such as fear, anger, and
sadness. Certain nature scenes effectively sustain interest and attention, and accordingly can serve as
pleasant distractions that may diminish stressful thoughts.
International Exhibition Floriade.(2002). Paper for conference, Plants for People. Retrieved from
https://greenplantsforgreenbuildings.org/news/health-benefits-of-gardens-in-hospitals/

•setbacks and main entrance

Rrl: this space is not usually intended for use, but to provide a visually pleasing setting on approaching
the entrance.
Advantages
• May evoke a familiar, comforting image at a hospital entrance
• Provides offices or rooms at the front of building with some privacy
• Provides visual cue to main entrance
Marcus, C.C., and Barnes, M. (1995) Gardens in healthcare facilities:Uses, therapeutic benefits, and
design recommendations. Retrieved from
https://www.healthdesign.org/sites/default/files/Gardens%20in%20HC%20Facility%20Visits.pdf
The more a garden is visible and people are aware of it, the more its activity areas and paths will be
preferred. At least one outdoor space should be visible or its location clearly indicated from the main
entrance. Patients’ rooms should have views of the garden so they can enjoy it even if they are unable
to visit it.
Yücel, G.F.(2013. Hospital Outdoor Landscape Design. Retrieved from
http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/45442/InTech%20Hospital_outdoor_landscape_design.pdf
• roof garden or terrace

Rrl: A roof garden will not only absorb heat, but also improves local air quality by filtering the air moving
across it and exchanging carbon dioxide for oxygen through the process of photosynthesis.
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/news-analysis/hospitals-adding-roof-gardens-to-improve-
patient-care.html
terrace gardens Reduce indoor temperature by 6- 8 degree and can reduce air conditioning cost, Reduce
overall heat absorption of buildings and insulate the building against heat and cold, Reduce sound
pollution and Act as a habitat for city-weary birds
Census data revisited.(2014). Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Terrace gardens. Retrieved from
https://www.indiawaterportal.org/questions/frequently-asked-questions-faqs-terrace-gardens
Roof gardens help academic medical centers expand their healing surroundings with natural light, fresh
air, room to move, and, sometimes, a place to have fun. Warshaw, R. (2017). Hospital Roof Gardens
Soothe Patients and Staff. Retrieved from https://news.aamc.org/patient-care/article/hospital-roof-
gardens-soothe-patients-and-staff/
Gardens located on roofs are visually attractive, enabling patients to look out from their rooms and have
a comforting view of grass, paving stones, benches and people, rather than roofing material or medical
equipment. Yücel, G.F.(2013. Hospital Outdoor Landscape Design. Retrieved from
http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/45442/InTech%20Hospital_outdoor_landscape_design.pdf
Advantages
• Captures space that might otherwise be unused
• Private — unlikely that public would use it
• Potential for expansive views
• can protect the roof membrane, resulting in a longer roof lifespan.
Marcus, C.C., and Barnes, M. (1995) Gardens in healthcare facilities:Uses, therapeutic benefits, and
design recommendations. Retrieved from
https://www.healthdesign.org/sites/default/files/Gardens%20in%20HC%20Facility%20Visits.pdf

•courtyard

Rrl: The courtyard garden, carved from the center of a dense urban block, brings abundant natural light
into the core of the new building and also becomes a focal point for rooms in the existing main building.
As an urban design element in the hospital floor plate, the courtyard defines a vibrant sense of place
and an intimate community for the inpatient units (existing and new) that surround it. Sullivan, K.
(2016). Healthcare Design: A Hospital is Like a Small City. Retrieved from
https://www.payette.com/healthcare-trends/healthcare-design-a-hospital-is-like-a-small-city/
Advantages
• Semi-private and secure; surrounded by hospital buildings
• Depending on location, may be easily viewed and accessed
• Shielded from wind; buildings likely to pro- vide shade
• Likely to be of human scale
Marcus, C.C., and Barnes, M. (1995) Gardens in healthcare facilities:Uses, therapeutic benefits, and
design recommendations. Retrieved from
https://www.healthdesign.org/sites/default/files/Gardens%20in%20HC%20Facility%20Visits.pdf

•lobby and corridors

Rrl: the green space can actually be entered from a corridor or waiting room: because it has limited
space and seating, it remains a quiet area which does not disturb the privacy of any nearby rooms or
offices, and also provides a comforting view for people waiting or passing by in the corridor.
Yücel, G.F.(2013. Hospital Outdoor Landscape Design. Retrieved from
http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/45442/InTech%20Hospital_outdoor_landscape_design.pdf
Advantages
• Provides a soothing green outlook for people waiting or passing by
• Provides a very quiet sitting place since few people are present
• The relative lack of use ensures that users of any adjacent offices or patient rooms will not feel that
their privacy has been unduly intruded upon
• Visible and accessible
• Provides a pleasing image on entering hospital environment
Marcus, C.C., and Barnes, M. (1995) Gardens in healthcare facilities:Uses, therapeutic benefits, and
design recommendations. Retrieved from
https://www.healthdesign.org/sites/default/files/Gardens%20in%20HC%20Facility%20Visits.pdf

The garden was designed to enable patients and visitors to have choices in their surroundings,
especially with regard to seating. People may select to sit in the shade under a pergola, near a water
feature, at movable tables and chairs, or in a separate meditation area.