Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a severe illness.

This type of care focuses on relief from the symptoms and stress of severe disease. The goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family. Incorporating gardens and nature into hospitals can enhance the healing process and provide a place where people can be relieved of some of the stress and angst that can come with hospital experiences.

 

Active gardening yields a sense of self-accomplishment and pride. The raised platform gardening system acts as a means for the patient to be able to actually engage in the act of caring for plants outdoors from bed or a wheelchair, with or without assistance. The entire hospital is surrounded around  a central garden.

​

The use of structural and nonstructural glass in the entire hospital - allows for a virtually seamless relationship. Think outside-to-inside, and vice versa. Operable windows and layered screen walls empower patients in the respect; gives them the option to smell a freshly cut lawn, feel a morning breeze, or hear the sounds of the city. With singly loaded corridors guiding the movement around the garden and rounded corners in the interiors evoke warmth and trust. The natural tendency of our eyes is accustomed to curves, as compared to sharp edges.

​