HLP were challenged to transform an existing bleak and landlocked concrete space into an easily accessible, protected and uplifting outdoor courtyard for use by child patients, their carers and staff at the paediatric outpatients clinic at the UHSM.

_____________________________________

The high standards of professionalism and skill in execution of creating a courtyard garden for The Starlight Unit, the paediatrics clinic at University Hospital of South Manchester were recognised by the BALI Awards in December 2015 for hard landscape construction under £300K.

The project was funded by a successful public appeal by Manchester’s local radio station Key 103’s Cash for Kids charity, aimed at providing a helping hand to disabled and disadvantaged children across Greater Manchester.

The project required substantial excavation and regrading to create direct access from the unit. Due to the particularly difficult access to the courtyard, excavation and delivery of materials involved lifting by crane over the hospital building.

Works included colourful paving and sensory planting in a maritime theme with a colourful blue pool, gravel beach and chunky timber uprights; dry coastal style plants and grasses rustle in the breeze and provide interest for touch and smell.

The Starlight Unit is part of a wider greening strategy for Wythenshawe Hospital. HLP produced a greenprint for the hospital which is the greenest hospital in the country.  The greenprint proposes an environmental strategy aimed at creating a therapeutic environment for the hospital enhancing the health and wellbeing of both patients and staff.

Award

BALI National Landscape Awards 2015