Fostering collaboration in healthcare landscape design

The woodland garden at the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre in Northallerton. © Fira

Healthcare landscapes are far more than passive backdrops - they are active participants in the healing process. As we consider the integration of architecture and landscape in healthcare environments, one principle becomes increasingly evident: meaningful engagement and collaboration among stakeholders are essential to achieving designs that heal, inspire, and sustain.

The process of designing for healthcare is inherently complex, shaped by diverse voices - from architects and landscape architects to healthcare professionals, patients, and community members. Each perspective brings unique insights into what constitutes a therapeutic environment. Effective stakeholder engagement ensures that these insights inform a cohesive design narrative, where landscapes complement architectural intent and respond dynamically to the needs of their users.

Co-creation

Collaboration, however, is not simply about consultation - it is about co-creation. Involving patients and service users in design sessions, as highlighted in the mental health sector, demonstrates the transformative power of participatory design. These voices often emphasise the value of accessible green spaces, underscoring their role in fostering resilience, reducing anxiety, and supporting recovery. Such spaces are not just desirable but essential, particularly in long-term care settings, where gardens provide opportunities for movement, sensory engagement, and quiet reflection.

Equally, the interdisciplinary partnership between healthcare providers and design teams is crucial. By aligning operational priorities with regenerative design principles, we can create spaces that are as functional as they are restorative. Whether through integrating gardens into high-density urban hospitals or reclaiming interstitial spaces in district facilities, collaboration ensures landscapes are not an afterthought but a central component of the healthcare experience.

Integrating landscape

The case studies over the following pages bring these principles to life, showcasing projects where collaboration has unlocked innovative solutions. From reimagined hospital courtyards to community health hubs designed for inclusivity and social prescribing, these examples highlight the profound impact of integrated landscapes on health outcomes. They serve as a testament to the power of stakeholder-driven design, demonstrating how thoughtful engagement can turn ambitious concepts into spaces that truly transform lives.

As healthcare systems adapt to evolving demands, the role of landscape architects in advocating for integrated, stakeholder-driven solutions cannot be overstated. By championing collaboration, we not only enrich our designs but also affirm the profound connection between people, place, and healing.

Jane Findlay FLI is a Director at Fira and Past President of the Landscape Institute