CASE STUDY // Caring
Ulster Hospital Mental Health Garden
Dundonald
Project
Ulster Hospital Mental Health Garden
Location
Dundonald
Client
South & Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Contractor / Lead Consultant
OB Construction | Whittaker & Watt Architects
Sectors
Caring
SCOPE
Our brief was to design a new outdoor space for staff and patients within the grounds of the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald. The space had to offer a calming, therapeutic escape from the existing building for staff during breaks and for supervised visits by patients throughout the day.
Key features:
- combination of hard and soft landscaping
- paced walking routes through sensory planted areas
- open mesh boundary fence
- views over garden from upper floor wards
- leaves retained 12 months of the year, providing constant screening
- spaces for BBQ & picnics
- shade sails in Sunny Zone
- enclosed canopy space for ‘one to ones’ or communal gatherings
- discreet lighting and security measures
OUTCOME
Exposure and access to the natural world have been proven to benefit mental health and promote a positive outlook general. Consequently, this garden has been designed to provide a peaceful, restorative space for all, to reduce stress, improve a sense of wellbeing and deliver a therapeutic experience.
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