THERAPEUTIC
NDSCAPE DESIGN
ling through contact with nature
elson Mandela Children’s Hospital,
Johannesburg, South Africa
e with therapeutic value is designed with the specific purpose of encouraging patients and
to interact with nature, in order to aid the process of healing, explained landscape architect
Comrie of GREENinc. Science has proven that patients who have a view of greenery and
ces, allowing the influx of light, from hospital beds recover more quickly. The design of the
spaces at the The Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital enables visual and direct contact
providing therapy that will invariably mean faster recovery for patients of all abilities, and will
e emotional strength to their families and to the staff of this facility dedicated to children in
cialist paediatric care. These are children who cannot be treated at local clinics but need the
attention of expert medical staff.
ng architectural competition entry by Sheppard Robson of the United Kingdom stepped
away from the stereotypical hospital with peripheral ‘green’ spaces contributing little to the
ironment or experience. The landscape was conceptualised as the centre of the building’s
took into careful consideration the need for people orientated, functional spaces. Comrie
the architects for their provision of generous, well-positioned, open spaces for landscaping
ndows that gave the landscape architects every opportunity to bring nature into the building,
y and to provide for therapeutic activities in the open air. She said “... the landscape binds
ything together... the journey through the building is guided by landscape spaces”.
of this hospital was envisioned by Nelson Mandela and has relied solely on donor funding.
e being raised by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust. Comrie related with fervour
t comprised a group of inspirational women with humility, who showed an excellent grasp of
the nurturing value of therapeutic landscapes.
based on interview with landscape architect Annamari Comrie of GREENinc
e Architecture; with additional comments from landscape contractor Ida-Marie
m of Life Landscapes and horticulturist Gail Dreyer of Tshala Plant Brokers.
y Carol Knoll, with written input from Annamari Comrie. Photographs by Carol
Knoll and courtesy of GREENinc Landsape Architects.
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