'Micro-landscapes' a feature of Chinese children's hospital

B+H Architects, in collaboration with the East China Architectural Design and Research Institute, have won the Shenzhen municipal government’s international competition to design the Shenzhen Children’s Hospital and Science and Education Building.

Connected to the existing Futian hospital by an elevated bridge, plans for the new development on the edge of Lianhuashan Park feature a landscape that weaves in and around the building, with an urban living room and rooftop gardens.

Rooftop gardens are a feature of the building.

The building will be 13 levels, with a basketball court included in the sky gardens, visible from ground level. Its stepped design references the nearby Lian Hua mountain, while also allowing for the creation of multiple rooftop gardens on the upper floors.

B+H Architects’ particular emphasis on the integration of landscape design in the development is born from their desire for patients to engage with the surrounding natural landscape, as well as wanting to create a unique micro-landscape in and around the hospital, extending all the way from ground floor to sky gardens.

The 13 level building includes recreation facilities.

An urban living room at ground level offers a mixture of public spaces and activities for patients, visitors, and the wider public.

Sheltered by a colourful floral canopy, it connects the hospital to the surrounding community and nearby park, including grassy mounds, wooden seating and extensive planting.

The landscape weaves in and out of the building.

A green wall features on the corner of the building, and the use of geometric cladding evokes foliage. A vertical ‘secret garden’ is, “intended to enthral young eyes and provide a welcome distraction to patients and their families during the healing process.”

The designers wanted to create a sense of joy within the building.

Stephanie Costelloe, B+H Architects’ principal and director of healthcare in Asia, says that, “at the very heart of our design approach was a desire to experience this building through the eyes of the children who will be coming here; to instil a sense of wonder in every corner which would celebrate their unique and joyful view of the world- whilst also encouraging adults to interact with the environment in a similarly social, playful and collaborative way.”

The project encourages children and adults to interact with the environment.