Located in the heart of Boston’s Longwood Medical District, the Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) Green Urban Design was completed in 2023 and focuses on bringing restorative gardens and effective medical care to the patients, families and caregivers of this world-class pediatric research and clinical institution. The urban design by Mikyoung Kim’s studio brings uniquely tailored greenspaces and grounds for play to the diverse constituents of this pediatric hospital. Healing gardens and evidence-based, human-centered design are woven into the clinical experience to demonstrate the importance of accessible green spaces, the plan integrates eight unique gardens, enhanced streetscapes, and interstitial spaces within the campus.
As a world-class pediatric research and clinical institution, BCH needed to expand their clinical infrastructure to meet increased acute patient care needs. Their expansion plan includes the 12-story Hale Family Clinical Building and a second outpatient facility in Brookline, increasing inpatient rooms, intensive care units, and surgical space, and adding healing gardens and playgrounds. This green design provides a framework for the landscape in the BCH expansion, weaving biophilic and human-centered design practices throughout.
An extensive 3-year community design process was employed to ensure this plan would meet the varied needs of the BCH population. Rather than focusing on a single, central open space or a kit-of-parts strategy, as is often the case in healthcare facilities, a collection of gardens deploys uniquely designed landscapes that are more readily accessible and tailored to meet specific user needs. Complementary community amenities will include the non-denominational chapel, cafes, and collaboration rooms. The design team ensured space was available to traditions embraced by the BCH community throughout the years, including seasonal festivals and celebrations. To complement the hospital’s art masterplan, opportunities to contribute to, explore, and engage with artworks are integrated throughout the landscape.
In hopes of maintaining the beloved Prouty Garden that existed on site, the planning and community process integrated consideration for remote sites, but ultimately BCH needed to maintain proximity to the Brigham and Women’s Hospital where many of the newborn patients are transferred from, as well as preserve accessibility to the main clinical building where patients receive crucial specialty care. As the plan defined pediatric healthcare for the patients as the primary goal, the design team worked tirelessly to ensure that community members’ voices were heard, and the plan reflected and honored the memory and history of this garden. Through this process, the plan to design 21st century healing gardens garnered the Prouty Family support.
Entrance Identity
The Longwood Avenue entrance and streetscape design was part of the first phase of construction to create a strong identity for the hospital. Longwood Avenue’s character through a unifying plant palette, blue and green hex pavers, and new signage identity, which work together to define the hospital entrance.
Healing Roof Gardens
Above the fray of the street, panoramic views from three roof gardens will provide a sense of openness for those confined to the hospital grounds. A variety of nooks and seating create an oasis with intimate spaces for socialization, rest, solace, and contemplation.
Indoor Gardens
Significant research and investment went into keeping high risk patients safe. Adjacent to the ICU and end of life facilities, winter gardens in the new Hale Building will serve as year-round sanctuaries for the hospital’s most vulnerable populations.
Campus Connections
A walking circuit was established to link BCH’s main campus to the broader Longwood neighborhood, Boston’s Emerald Necklace, and the Boston Children’s Brookline Place Outpatient Center. This route also serves as a tool for healthcare practitioners who want to grant patients time away from the campus to encourage gentle physical activity and independence.
Architecture offices involved in the design: Shepley Bullfinch, Elkus Manfredi Architects
Location: 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 USA
Design year: 2014
Year Completed: 2023
