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The healing power of landscape
As we step into the pages of this special issue, we are reminded of the profound connection between health and the environments we create.
Landscape design for healthcare facilities represents one of the most vital and timely challenges of our era, offering opportunities not only to support patient healing but also to enrich local communities and nurture the environment.
Healthcare landscapes today extend beyond the conventional. They are active agents of change – places where therapeutic gardens, sensory spaces, and community hubs meet the pressing needs of physical and mental health. As the articles and case studies in this issue reveal, these landscapes are vital in fostering recovery, encouraging resilience, and providing moments of calm amidst life’s most challenging times.
Take, for instance, the transformation at Springfield Village in Wandsworth, where a bold reimagining of NHS mental health facilities has turned a once-closed campus into a vibrant social landscape, including courtyards, sensory gardens, and a 32-acre public park. Here, collaboration among patients, carers, and the wider community has broken down barriers, reducing stigma and inspiring pride in shared spaces. As NHS Programme Director Ian Garlington notes, this project exemplifies how healthcare design can extend its impact far beyond hospital walls.
Elsewhere, the landscapes at Great Ormond Street Hospital illustrate the potential of child-friendly, biophilic environments that blend urban gardens with innovative designs to improve air quality, reduce stress, and provide opportunities for play. Such projects highlight the broader environmental benefits of healthcare landscapes, from enhancing biodiversity to building climate resilience.
Landscape design is not merely an aesthetic addition but a vital component of holistic healthcare. Through collaboration and innovation, it is possible to create spaces that address complex healthcare needs while delivering broader social and environmental value. The insights and case studies presented in this issue underscore the pivotal role of landscape professionals in shaping the future of healthcare environments.
