Residential Care Grangegorman
Landscape Architecture
Location | Grangegorman, Co. Dublin.
Year | 2023.
Type | Residential Care.
Project Scope | Landscape Design.
Authors | Stephen Diamond Associates.
The landscape architecture proposals for the Grangegorman Residential Care Neighbourhood prioritize the well-being and comfort of patients, staff, and visitors through four key themes:
Nature-based therapy
Care and comfort
Ecological diversity
Access to support and stimulation in an inviting outdoor environment.
Careful evaluation of user needs informs the design of external spaces that address potential restrictions and challenges, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all potential users. A significant emphasis is placed on incorporating recent evidence-based research from European and North American sources to maximize the health and therapeutic benefits of nature, wildlife, and landscape elements within hospital and clinical care environments. The design integrates features such as private conversation areas, wheelchair-accessible paths bordered by trees, and naturalistic landscaping to attract a variety of wildlife, to please the diverse preferences and needs of patients. Balancing tranquility with stimulation, the proposals aim to provide peaceful retreats while also offering opportunities for engagement and sensory experiences in the outdoor setting.
Care and comfort
Ecological diversity
Access to support and stimulation in an inviting outdoor environment.
Careful evaluation of user needs informs the design of external spaces that address potential restrictions and challenges, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all potential users. A significant emphasis is placed on incorporating recent evidence-based research from European and North American sources to maximize the health and therapeutic benefits of nature, wildlife, and landscape elements within hospital and clinical care environments. The design integrates features such as private conversation areas, wheelchair-accessible paths bordered by trees, and naturalistic landscaping to attract a variety of wildlife, to please the diverse preferences and needs of patients. Balancing tranquility with stimulation, the proposals aim to provide peaceful retreats while also offering opportunities for engagement and sensory experiences in the outdoor setting.
The objective is to introduce diverse therapeutic landscapes and nature-based therapy elements to uplift mood, enhance motivation, improve concentration, encourage physical activity, foster tranquility and sensory stimulation, promote social interaction, and enhance patient confidence and self-esteem.
The landscape design proposals are meticulously elaborated to seamlessly integrate the Residential Care buildings with adjacent buildings, existing landscape features, site context, and the general principles set by the Grangegorman masterplan.
Project developed and created in collaboration with Stephen Diamond Associates.
Landscape Master Plan
Ground Floor Landscape Design.
Horticultural therapy activities have demonstrated significantly higher levels of patient engagement compared to traditional activities like exercise or crafts. Gardening and horticulture can greatly benefit individuals residing in institutional settings, contributing to improved health outcomes for those facing serious illness. In the Mental Health Garden, raised planters are intricately designed to allow patients to actively participate in tending to the plants.
Strategic planting is integrated throughout the garden, including behind seating areas and along walls and fences. Species such as hops, Virginia creeper, evergreen honeysuckle, and tea-roses are selected to provide year-round sensory stimulation and fragrance, enhancing the sensory experience of the garden room.
Green Roof Strategy
Green roofs are a vital component in improving the urban environment by supporting the vision of a greener and more liveable city.
Dublin City Council’s has been published a green Roof Guide as a standalone document. The DCC Green Roof Guide expands on how schemes should deliver in accordance with development plan policy and sets out the required standards for green roofs.
A green roof is a roof or deck onto which vegetation is grown, or habitats for wildlife are established. There are various types of green roofs including: extensive and intensive roofs, biodiverse roofs, and grown roofs. Green roofs can also serve an amenity function when designed for this purpose.
In accordance with the DCC Green Roof Strategy the landscape design proposals for this project comprises Intensive Roof gardens in Ground Level, Level 01, 02 and 03 and a proposal of extensive green area Level 04.
