October 23, 2017

Healing garden provides patients, families and visitors a connection to nature

DOWNERS GROVE, IL—This summer Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital completed a Cancer Care addition that included the creation of a healing garden and fountain designed to create an area of respite for patients, families and visitors. The overarching theme was to preserve and enhance the relationship to the outdoors, making sure that all patient care areas have visual access to the landscape and garden. This meant finding a way to create an outdoor space that could be used and allowing full visual access through elements such as full window walls, while still maintaining patient privacy. During the project, Matthei & Colin Associates worked collaboratively with the landscape designers, Laflin Design, to make sure the garden was not only accessible, but included visual interest year round. Throughout the spring, summer and fall something is always in bloom in the garden, while during the winter months shrubs maintain a vibrant color. The north garden features a fountain that not only provides movement, but also the soothing sound of water. The east garden is a walking area for patients, families and visitors. In addition to the gardens, the west side of the building has an ephemeral pond to help maximize the amount of rain water the hospital can recharge. This not only adds visual interest, but also reduces the impact of storm water.

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital (AGSAM) is part of Advocate Health Care, the largest fully-integrated health care network in Illinois. AGSAM is committed to providing clinically excellent, compassionate care. Through strong partnerships with outstanding physicians and nursing staff, they are improving the health of residents in local communities and meeting the highest standard of patient care. Throughout its nearly 40-year history, the hospital has evolved as a recognized national leader in health care. The hospital earned a Crystal Award from Truven Health Analytics in 2014 for being named to the 100 Top Hospitals list five times. It is also the only health care organization in the state to earn the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, achieving the honor in 2010.

Matthei & Colin Associates, LLC (M&CA) has specialized in the planning and design of health care environments since 1974. Through the passion of our creative effort, we have emerged today as one of the nation’s few firms exclusively committed to health care architecture. Our singular focus on designing and creating health care environments and our productive client partnerships result in highly individualized planning recommendations to address the requirements of each project.

For more information:
Mark Selko, AIA, Principal Matthei & Colin Associates, LLC
1.312.939.4002 l l [email protected]