The Whittington Hospital Courtyard Garden Appeal will help turn a tired, unused space into a calm, green haven.
Now we have spoken to the design masterminds behind the plans, about the creativity, plant know-how and bold vision that went into designing the space.
The Whittington Hospital Courtyard Garden Appeal will help turn a tired, unused space into a calm, green haven. A computer generated image of the garden from above (Image: Whittington Health Charity)
The plans for the new garden began as a simple sketch. A few sweeping lines, some early planting notes, the outline of a path.
But behind those first marks sat a clear goal: to create a safe, calm outdoor space for people with dementia, patients being cared for in the intensive care unit, and anyone else who needs a quiet moment during a difficult stay.
Whittington Health Charity is close to securing the funding needed to build the garden. It now hopes readers will help us raise the final amount and bring the design team’s vision into the real world.
The Whittington Hospital Courtyard Garden Appeal will help turn a tired, unused space into a calm, green haven. Computer generated images of the design for the garden (Image: Whittington Health Charity)
ME Landscape Studio is led by designers Mike Luszczak and Emma Less. They have worked in complex health settings before, but say this one stands out for its ambition and its potential impact.
“This is a chance to build something that genuinely supports people who may feel disoriented or overwhelmed,” Mike says. “It has to be thoughtful. It has to be robust. And it has to work from the moment the first patient enters the space.”
The courtyard is not a straightforward site. It sits deep within the hospital buildings, which puts much of it in shade. The design team studied how the light moved across the space throughout the year.
“We knew early on that only certain pockets get sunlight,” Emma explains. “So we chose species that thrive in shade and still offer strong form and texture. We wanted planting that holds interest right through the year.”
A computer generated image of how the garden will look at night (Image: Whittington Health Charity)
The garden sits on a podium above the hospital’s operating theatres, and space is tight. This means every tree, planter and winding path needs careful engineering, planning and skill.
“You cannot treat it like a garden on open ground,” Mike says. “You have to get drainage, weight and soil depth right. Everything has to be tested and checked because it sits above clinical areas. You need confidence that it will last.”
Despite the constraints, the design will feel open and welcoming when complete.
Winding paths lead through raised beds filled with plants chosen for shape, colour and scent. There will be trees that help lift the eye and soften the hard lines of the surrounding buildings.
The Whittington Hospital Courtyard Garden Appeal will help turn a tired, unused space into a calm, green haven. A computer generated image of the garden’s centrepiece (Image: Whittington Health Charity)
Seating will be placed along the route rather than in fixed zones, so people can stop wherever they feel most at ease. The design introduces subtle changes in mood through the space without building distinct zones.
Emma says the garden had to balance familiarity with surprise.
She said: “Some plants are there because people recognise them. That can help unlock memories or bring comfort for those living with dementia. But we also brought in a few unusual species with bold leaves and striking shapes. They make the space feel alive, even in deep shade.”
Seasonality plays a big role too. The designers wanted to make the passing months visible.
“If you are in hospital for a long time, the world outside can slip by without you noticing,” Mike says. “Bulbs that mark early spring, structure that holds through winter, flowers in spring and summer. All of it helps people orient themselves again.”
The team has seen how even small pieces of nature can shift how people feel. Their work at Great Ormond Street’s Sight and Sound Centre, where they helped create playful outdoor areas for children, showed how a well-designed garden can soften the edge of a clinical environment.
“You could see the difference it made,” Mike says. “People relaxed. They talked more easily. They looked up.”
For this project, the aim is practical and emotional. The garden must be safe for people with dementia, many of whom can become unsettled in busy wards which can feel floodlit, unfamiliar and impersonal.
It must be easy for intensive care patients to reach, often with support from nursing staff. It must be secluded enough to offer moments of privacy for people in palliative care and their families.
And it must serve visitors and staff who need a short break from the pressures of a busy hospital.
“This is not about decoration,” Emma says. “It is about supporting recovery and wellbeing. It is about reducing stress. A good outdoor space can help people feel calmer and help them cope better with treatment.”
Mike agrees. “The evidence is well established. Access to nature speeds recovery. It improves mental wellbeing. It improves the experience of care. This garden is about applying that knowledge properly for people in our community.”
The project has already gained strong backing. The Pears Foundation has made a major contribution, and feedback from supporters shows how much the idea resonates.
“When we presented the plans to the foundation, people could see how much thought went into it,” Mike says. “They understood it was not just a nice idea, but something that could change how people experience long periods in hospital.”
The charity now needs to raise £100,000 to begin work. The design is ready. The technical studies are done. The team is prepared to build.
What stands between the hospital and a completed garden is that last part of the fundraising total.
Readers or businesses who want to support the project either by making a donation, holding a fundraising event or taking part in a fundraising challenge, can find out more at www.WhittingtonHealthCharity.org/courtyard-garden-project or contact the charity on 020 7288 3402 or at fundraising.whitthealth@nhs.net.
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