This hospital Healing Garden is a one-of-a-kind biophilic project, and a first for New Zealand’s healthcare sector.

The Healing Garden harnesses the proven benefits of nature to enhance patient wellbeing and recovery outcomes.

Located in the indoor atrium in Tōtara Haumaru, at North Shore Hospital, the greenery flows across more than 110sqm. Nature provides relief from the busy hospital setting. Creating a garden within a hospital had never been done before in New Zealand. Our green spaces achieved the stringent hospital requirements with ease.

Prioritising nature in hospitals benefits patient recovery and the wellbeing of medical staff.

By applying biophilic design, the Outside In team ensured this hospital garden in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland helps restore and rejuvenate everyone who experiences it. The Healing Garden authentically re-creates the forest canopy of Aotearoa indoors. A curving central walkway guides you through the indoor atrium. Seating cocoons you amongst the greenery. Medical staff have their own private area within the Healing Garden. Outside In developed a new product, the Forest Form®, to create the authentically layered forest canopy. These structures incorporate more than 500 plants from over 15 species, including New Zealand natives. Jasmax developed the design concept for the Healing Garden with Outside In, Haumi, and the Well Foundation.

To create a garden within a hospital, we ensured our green spaces would achieve the stringent hospital criteria for waterproofing, fire rating, and weight loading. Most recovery rooms look directly out to the Healing Garden. Inside this fully accessible hospital garden, planting reaches over two-metres tall. The sub-canopy includes native plants. Preserved moss emulates the forest floor. It feels as though you are walking through a forest canopy with sunlight filtering through the trees above. International research shows views of nature can lead to shorter post-operative stays and less need for pain medication. This entirely unique project was funded by community donations, thanks to the efforts of the Well Foundation.