“The use of views, art and landscape throughout were exemplary for both orientation and well-being.”
Health Facilities Scotland
Known as the ‘Garden Hospital’, the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary is a new acute hospital located the edge of Dumfries and sits within the rural landscape, to the fore of the Galloway hills.
From the outset the power of landscape and nature were the focus of the design, ensuring that landscape played a vital role in the health and wellbeing of all site users. The design sets the new hospital in a rural parkland, with views crafted to celebrate the hospital’s link with the immediate natural environment, and the hills and woodland beyond. Patients, staff and visitors have continuous links with the landscape, including views to the surrounding hills, across the parkland or into garden courtyards.
This therapeutic landscape offers users the opportunity to escape the confines of the hospital and engage with the landscape. Garden spaces link to the waiting areas, and roof gardens and courtyards bring nature into the heart of the hospital. The dining terrace provides an opportunity for all to sit and enjoy the views across the landscape.
Wayfinding is supported by the landscape design providing a clear legible approach to the entrances, and the functional elements, including the helipad and blue light routes are direct but also discreetly located in the landscape.
