In 2018 Spiire was engaged by Goulburn Valley Health to bring a new courtyard garden, for the Palliative Care Ward in Shepparton, to life.
The intent of the project was to create a beautiful, welcoming and tranquil garden for the enjoyment of palliative care and dementia patients and their families and friends alike.
Our local Landscape Architecture team designed, programmed and considered the space in such a way that patients, staff and visitors are drawn outside into the landscape and taken on a journey of discovery. With the intention to create a calming, restorative, therapeutic and safe outdoor environment to support up to four family groups at a time as well as nursing staff and Medical professionals as required.
The garden has familiarity and fosters a sense of attachment and place. It has a variety of enclosed and public spaces for private and open exchanges. The planting design and sight-lines have been considered so that even when it is not physically accessible, it can be viewed from within the Palliative Care Ward blurring the perception between indoor and outdoor and providing interest throughout all seasons.
A carefully considered planting palette harbor’s familiarity and fosters a sense of attachment and nostalgia. Plant species have been carefully selected based on touch, sight and smell in order to create an experience that heighten the experience of interaction with nature for users.
The Goulburn Valley Health Therapeutic Courtyard is still a young garden and new addition to the Palliative Care unit at the Hospital. Its contribution to the facilities are unmeasurable with respect to the benefits it provides users including how it encourages people to explore and engage with the natural world. For a patient, visitor, or member of staff, time spent in a hospital can be a stressful experience, the intent of this design is to provide a space for self-reflection, meditation and potentially improve health outcomes.
Winner – 2019 AILA Victoria Landscape Architecture Award for Community Contribution
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