The new children’s healing garden is located in what was essentially a leftover space between an existing administrative building and a new hospital wing. P+FC took the opportunity to complete the formal entrance to the wing and dramatically alter the proportions of the vacant space by creating a “floating”, tilted, platform of crushed stone screenings above a base of groundcover and still water. Visitors and residents are treated to a totally new open space that encourages active participation. Vertical planes of backlit translucent plastic illuminate the space at evening, expand the perceived width of the space, and silhouette trees and occupants in a surreal landscape that includes mechanical fans, movable objects, and a glass bridge with lights below activated by concealed sensor switches. The plantings for the garden include flowering deciduous trees, several different types of ground cover, and seasonal blooming plants that were selected to exhibit variations in color, smell and texture throughout the year.
Robert Wood Johnson Children's Hospital
New Brunswick, NJ