Healthcare facilities around the world are increasingly employing evidence-based designs like therapeutic gardens to more positively affect the lives of patients as well as the general state of the natural environment itself. These designs, which are sometimes classified as low- impact developments (LIDs), are usually intended to enhance the experiences of patients and staff while also actively promoting environmental sustainability; however, there is a lack of research investigating the impact of these LIDs from a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) perspective.
To examine the social and environmental aspects of landscape performances of a primary care facility using a post-occupancy evaluation approach.
The POE method used in this study involved analyzing how specific spaces were actually utilized over time compared to the goals of their original design. The greenspaces in and around one urban hospital was studied through field observations and behavior mapping. The environmental performance of these spaces, including their roles in storm water runoff reduction, tree growth, and overall water conservation, were compared with another site design that featured no LID practices, thereby resembling the LID facility prior to the implementation of its greenspaces.
Findings showed that the integration of LIDs into the observed healthcare environment promoted both environmental resilience and overall sustainability. Quantifying and calculating these metrics were able to be done efficiently using the EPA’s National Stormwater Calculator. Several social benefits of the LIDs were noted; the designs encouraged engagement between patients and staff, promoted exercise, and promoted higher levels of relaxation among patients and staff in general.
The authors note that using design parameters derived from archival floorplans may have created inaccuracies when calculating certain environmental impacts. Since this study took place in a specific facility, the impact of the LIDs described here may not translate to all environments. Data were collected over a relatively short period of time and did not take into account how LID performance may (or may not) change seasonally.