HERB & SPICE GARDENS @ SENGKANG COUNTRY SINGAPORE
OTHER CONTRIBUTION
YEAR OF COMPLETION 2018 AREA 774SQM CLIENT MINISTRY OF HEALTH, SINGAPORE DP SPECIALISTS INVOLVED DP GREEN, DP SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Context Generally referred to as ‘rooftop gardens’, they began as an innovative way to replace greenery in our built environment while providing the community with accessible, inclusive spaces for relaxation and refreshment. Today, these spaces in our urbanscape increasingly feature an added function: rooftop urban farming. 3 Although still principally recreational, they present interesting case studies on how integration of purpose and function through intentional design can expand the potentiality of existing urban spaces. One such unique example can be found on the rooftop of Sengkang General Hospital (SKH Campus), where a seemingly simple Herb & Spice Gardens is able to provide rehabilitation, recreation and insights to a greater solution for sustainability and food security. Contribution The landscape design framework at SKH Campus is influenced by the hospital’s Contemplative Healthcare philosophy which emphasises care in treatment and prevention so as to bring its patients from a place of ‘illness’ to ‘wellness’. Leveraging the eco and healing benefits of biophilia, 15
user-centric and inclusive green spaces were mindfully and strategically integrated throughout the healthcare development. The intention is to allow patients to fully immerse in nature through proximity and participation. The Herb & Spice Gardens thus feature smoothly looping pathways for easy maneuvering and custom easy-to-reach planters for elderly patients and wheelchairusers. Organised for clear line of sight without contrasting changes in material colours and textures, the planter design also facilitates ease of supervision by healthcareproviders and presents a therapeutic environment for patients with dementia. Through the capacity of landscape design, the success of this urban garden space is testament to a built environment that boldly presents solutions and spatial models for sustainability, security and well-being. 3 NG, JUN SEN, THE STRAITS TIMES, “MORE ROOFTOP GARDENS, URBAN FARMS PLANNED”, 10 NOVEMBER 2017, HTTPS://WWW.STRAITSTIMES.COM/SINGAPORE ENVIRONMENT/MORE-ROOFTOP-GARDENS-URBAN FARMS-PLANNED