Children’s Hospital Courtyard

The Children’s Hospital Courtyard design in Ann Arbor, Michigan is intended to create spaces to be lost and found, similar to a game of hide and seek. From the main building entrance, the visitor is brought into an open paved space that functions as a threshold to choose between the two branching paths. The path on the right leads to a playground, shaded by a canopy of Ironwood trees and enveloped by a mass of perennials and shrub vegetation that separates the play space from the parking lot. From the play space, one can easily meander on to the open lawn, an inviting space for activity and socializing of large groups. Seating enveloped in the courtyard planting serves as a safe and comfortable space for counseling and retreat.

Early sketch of planting design around children's play area

Illustrative Site Plan

The planting palette was selected with a focus on functionality and year-round seasonal interest.

In the cold Michigan winter months, evergreens such as creeping juniper, inkberry, and azalea maintain their color and screen the parking and busy road.

Spring brings bright white blooms to the Serviceberry lawn trees, as the dogwoods blossom with bright yellow flowers. The landscape is dynamic into the summer months, when the late summer blooms of Potentilla and Anise Hyssop really come to life.

In autumn, the bright red of the Sugar Maple and Highbush Blueberry are accented by the yellow foliage of the Tamaracks, Birches, and Dogwood trees. The dwarf Fothergilla turns a brilliant mix of reds, oranges and yellows that adds fall color along the ground plane.

Autumn

Winter

Spring

Summer