The Healing Powers of the Outdoors: Rooftop Revitalization for Dublin Methodist Hospital
Dublin Methodist Hospital at a glance
- Industry: Healthcare
- Location: Dublin, Ohio
- About: A world-class hospital designed from the ground up to deliver advanced healthcare in a healing setting. Every detail — from architecture to integrated technology and healthcare services — focuses on high-level, patient-centered care.
- Challenge: To revamp the hospital's third-floor rooftop garden, originally designed as a serene escape for staff and patients but had fallen into disrepair, overrun by weeds.
Results:
The Dublin Methodist Hospital Rooftop Revitalization project stands as a testament to Oakland Green Interiors’ commitment to transforming neglected spaces into thriving, sustainable oases of beauty and tranquility. This revitalized rooftop garden exemplifies how thoughtful design and ongoing maintenance can turn challenges into opportunities for enhancing the human and environmental experience.
Initial Challenges
Over several weeks in the summer of 2022, our team meticulously removed all weeds, improved the shallow soil (as little as 5 inches), and planted over 1500 perennials. The objective was to create a dynamic, prairie-style garden capable of thriving in challenging conditions—enduring wind, abundant sunlight, and shallow soil. We prioritized native and pollinator-friendly plant species, even preserving stray milkweed that had naturally found its way onto the rooftop.
Today, this once-neglected rooftop has blossomed into a vibrant, ever-changing oasis, visible from both the third and fourth floors of the hospital. It boasts colorful blooms, attracts wildlife, and brings joy to hospital staff, patients, and visitors. Our ongoing commitment involves regular pruning, fertilization, and seasonal maintenance, ensuring its continuous splendor.
GOALS
Our mission was driven by several key objectives:
Redefining Tranquility:
Restore the rooftop garden’s original purpose as a peaceful retreat for patients and staff to find solace amidst the hospital’s bustling environment.
Biodiversity and Sustainability:
Create a sustainable ecosystem by incorporating native and pollinator-friendly plants, enhancing the local environment, and supporting local wildlife.
Visual Delight:
Transform the rooftop into a visual masterpiece, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the hospital and providing a source of inspiration and joy.
The CHALLENGES
The Dublin Methodist Hospital Rooftop Revitalization project presented us with various challenges:
Neglect and Overgrowth:
The garden had been severely neglected, overrun by weeds, and in need of extensive cleaning and restoration.
Harsh Growing Conditions:
The rooftop’s shallow soil depth and exposure to strong winds and intense sunlight made plant selection and maintenance challenging.
Biodiversity Preservation:
Ensuring that the revitalized garden supported native flora and fauna while enhancing its aesthetic appeal required careful planning.
The SOLUTIONS
To overcome these challenges and meet our goals, we put in place a well-rounded plan:
Weed Removal and Soil Enhancement:
Cleared the area of weeds and improved soil quality with appropriate amendments to provide a healthy foundation for plant growth.
Plant Selection:
Carefully curated a selection of perennials that could thrive in shallow soil, withstand harsh rooftop conditions, and provide a visually appealing, ever-changing prairie-style landscape.
Biodiversity Promotion:
Emphasized the use of native and pollinator-friendly plants to create a sustainable ecosystem, attracting local wildlife while enhancing the garden’s beauty.
Ongoing Maintenance:
Committed to regular pruning, fertilization, and seasonal maintenance to ensure the garden’s continuous vitality and allure.
STATS
- Over 1500 perennials planted
- Rooftop garden now attracts a diverse range of wildlife, including pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Positive feedback from hospital staff, patients, and visitors on the garden’s visual appeal and its impact on well-being.
Looking Ahead
Elevate Your Space with Oakland Green Interiors
Oakland Green Interiors remains dedicated to ensuring the Huntington Center’s living plant wall continues to flourish. Plans include updating the irrigation system for remote monitoring and integrating it into the building’s backup power supply, further cementing the Huntington Center as a pioneer in biophilic design.
If you are looking to enhance your space with natural and unique plant designs, contact us today to request a proposal and see how we can bring your vision to life.
