Boston Children’s Hospital
Master Plan and Gardens (Built)

Overview

Our work at Boston Children’s Hospital expands the role of healing gardens in these clinical institutions from a single garden in the lobby to one in which each patient, family and caregiver can access easily from their hospital room--a place of contemplation and escape from the noise and stresses of the hospital. In each garden we provided a variety of spaces; from intimate nooks to more open terraces. A layering of natural materials frames each of these distinct zones, from stone benches to evergreen microforest and butterfly gardens each of these contemplative spaces are surrounded by nature.

We worked closely with the hospital to upcycle materials from the site which includes a few trees that were used to create benches made from a large Dawn Redwood tree on site and a sacred table within the hospital’s multi-faith chapel.

From the beginning we worked with the hospital population, patients, family members to develop this plan that departed from the model of creating a single central open space as is often the case in healthcare facilities, to a collection of gardens that are readily accessible to community spaces such as collaboration rooms, play areas and the non-denominational chapel.

Urban Green Design

Project Implementation: The Boston Children’s Hospital Green Masterplan, fully realized with the final garden’s completion in early 2023, has introduced four new open-air gardens, three interior winter gardens, and a redesigned main hospital entry.

Hale Medical Tower: In June 2022, at the site of the former Olmstead Brothers designed Prouty garden the new Hale medical tower was inaugurated, adding 150 beds to Boston Children’s Hospital and eliminating double rooms. At the core of the Green Masterplan, the Hale building brings 25% more green space to the BCH Campus.

Masterplan Overview: While fully ADA compliant, this masterplan expands the concept of designing inclusive spaces beyond the physical to also consider neurodiversity and the full range of emotional, cognitive and sensory experiences. This plan supports healthcare and well-being with the restorative qualities of green space, designed for contemplation and play, welcoming individuals of all abilities and sensitivities.

Guiding Design Principles

Stress Reduction and Restoration: These green spaces aim to reduce stress, foster social support, provide privacy, and offer positive distractions through artwork, natural elements, and opportunities for discovery and play.

Patient Stay Reduction: At the highest level, the gardens aim to reduce patient stays.

Identity and Community: Create an identity and culture for the patient and staff-oriented environment.

Enhanced Productivity: These spaces contribute to increased staff productivity and reduced burnout.

Features:

Entrance Identity: The Longwood Avenue entrance and streetscape design was part of the first phase of construction to create a strong identity for the hospital. Longwood Avenue’s character through a unifying plant palette, blue and green hex pavers, and new signage identity, which work together to define the hospital entrance. Featured prominently at the entrance, a granite art wall embodies the new refined and playful built environment. A graphic that celebrates the flora and fauna of this region is designed to become an identity art element that is used throughout the plan from stone walls, to metal and glass enclosures and lobbies.

Healing Roof Gardens: The first of these gardens completed construction in 2018 as part of Phase I. It was designed with programmatic zones, ranging from the quiet and contemplative to the active and social. A gracefully arched pathway facilitates gentle movement and frames a central grassy landform for free play. Colorful seating and shade sails offer a more social space for gathering and games in the diffused sun. Privacy nooks (Anne and Olivia Prouty Lookout, Quinn Amsler nook, and The Dante Dieso Foundation Trust nook) screened with plant materials feature integrated wood benches while also ensuring space for hospital beds. The most private, intended for end-of-life patients and their families, can be completely closed off with a wood screen. The Anne and Olivia Prouty Lookout which offers a panoramic view from the garden that extend a connection to Boston’s natural environment and offer a sense of openness to the hospital grounds, offering views of Boston’s Basilica in the Mission Hill neighborhood and an iconic downtown skyline. A post-occupancy study done through Cornell University in Summer 2019 was done in this first phase to ensure that future phases of the Green Masterplan can incorporate lessons learned into the design. This mixed-methods study used the H-GET standards of evaluation with key stakeholders that included patients, families, staff and caregivers. From daily counts, the visitorship was evenly distributed between staff and patient/families. The final garden is located on the new building and offers views of the skyline and views to the BCH hospital.

Indoor Gardens: Significant research and investment went into keeping high risk patients safe. Adjacent to the ICU and end of life facilities, winter gardens in the new Hale Building will serve as year-round sanctuaries for the hospital’s most vulnerable populations. Custom soil mixes, with only 10% organic material, accommodate the most severe immune challenges, and monthly cleaning procedures control accumulations of dust and harmful microbes. Indoor gardens will be on a separate ventilation system and incorporate a multi-chamber entrance to prevent the migration of spores and pollen into critical care facilities. Natural analogues inspired by biophilic design soften these sterile environments, while natural lighting, expansive views, play structures, and reclaimed wood furniture further link those confined within the hospital to the outside world. These indoor gardens include the Anne and Olivia Prouty Wishingstone Garden located on the first floor; The Friendship Garden in honor of Stephen R. Karp on the eighth floor, with the Digital Federal Credit Union nook; and Thea and James M. Stoneman Garden on the tenth floor.

Interventions

Interactive Play: The various gardens offer opportunities for interactive engagement for all ages while minimizing direct contact with materials to limit illness transmission.

Honoring the Site History: Reclaimed trees from the site are crafted into interactive seating and play elements within the gardens.

Bringing Nature In: Seamless integration of “inside-outside” relationships to bring the colors, textures, and richness of nature into the new development.

Playful Elements: The gardens incorporate whimsy and vibrant colors to create spaces for discovery and learning.

Low-Stimulus Environments: Designed with reduced noise, light, and color to reduce stress and agitation for individuals with heightened sensitivities.
Project Team:
Shepley Bullfinch, Architects
Elkus Manfredi, Architects
Mikyoung Kim Design, Landscape Architects
LAM, Lighting Designer
Suffolk, Construction (Hale)
R.W. Sullivan, MEP