The Chester Family Garden at Riverside Methodist Hospital
Columbus, Ohio
Another great project with Ohio Health, and M+A Architects
Upon our completion of the landscape master plan of the entire campus, this space was identified as the most promising location for a place of respite. Taking advantage of its close proximity to the main entrance, visibility from the adjacent parking lot, and visibility from the adjacent patient tower, the Chester Family Garden is ideally located to expose the maximum amount of users to the presence and availability of green respite space.
The final design responded to numerous constraints typically found in the medical environment: access and safety, newly discovered utilities located “in the last bastion of greenspace”, and of course, budget limitations.
The theme of the water drop is derived from the drop off circles of the nearby main entrance, and emergency department entrance. These spaces facilitate users at differing levels of trauma, and subsequently, this Garden represents the relaxing exhale, versus the anxiety of the ED and Main entrance.
Drawing on the healing properties of water the patio itself is circular in form and is an expression of the water drop and its corresponding ripples. These ripples are expressed in the patio form, seating slabs, vegetation and limestone walls.
The design provides table and chair seating as well as limestone slabs for seating overflow during organized gatherings. The rock sculpture fountain provides soothing sounds and masks nearby traffic noise. Boulders and stone create a metaphoric stream that is also functional as natural drainage for the space. Limestone walls strongly emphasize the circular form while contributing to the feeling of comfort and safety. Double flowering cherry trees provide a wonderful spring show and is soon bolstered by the late blooming Kousa Dogwoods. The Riverside ground crews top off the design every year with impressive annuals, and phased perennial beds are slated to be installed in the coming years.
The central trinity stone fountain adds soothing water sounds and diminishes sounds from the nearby highway…
Hand rendering in marker and pencil for project approval..
