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Foliage on a winding walking path provides privacy and
screening for patients.
The Interfaith Sactuary in the Quiet Atrium is a place
for meditation and rejuvenation.
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Nestled in 80 tranquil acres, the design of Henry Ford West
Bloomfield Hospital was inspired by a northern Michigan lodge.
The two atriums at Henry Ford Hospital are considered to be
the lungs of the facility. Combined, the atriums have approximately
2,500 live plants, installed as a design-build project by Planterra.
Features of the Atrium:
Natural Views All 300 inpatient rooms have views of nature
overlooking the indoor atriums or the exterior woodlands surrounding
the hospital.
A Place of Refuge Isolated from the Main Atrium, the
Quiet Atrium is insulated from distracting noises as a place
of rest, rejuvenation and meditation. This area includes intimate
seating areas and an interfaith sanctuary.
Privacy Screening Plantings screen inpatient rooms which
overlook the atriums. Isolated walking paths are integrated
into the plan to provide for private, well-screened seating
areas.
Clean Air Plants and trees with the highest toxin absorption
rates were specified and planted, such varieties include the
Peace Lily, Ficus and Boston Fern.
A Community Venue The Ravitz Foundation Main Atrium serves
as a gathering place for patients, visitors, employees and the
local community. The atrium contains an organic tea kiosk, a
grand piano and ample space for events and fundraisers.
Real, Live Plants Management mandated that all plants
be real to achieve the maximum healing benefits.
Sanitized Plantings All plantings were grown, isolated
and acclimated according to specific standards that ensure sanitation.
The plants and trees are planted with a sterilized, soil-free
mix.
Expert Care The atriums are maintained under the supervision
of senior horticultural specialists at Planterra using environmentally
sound practices such as IPM management and sub-irrigation. Excellent
maintenance is critical to delivering a healthy environment
and long-term value.
HOW PLANTS CLEAN THE AIR
Through the process of photosynthesis, plants absorb light,
carbon dioxide and water to manufacture sugar. The byproduct
of this complex process of chemical reactions is oxygen. Even
in buildings with the most advanced air ltration systems, none
manufacture oxygen - the vital ingredient for healthy, breathable
air.
Plants grown for interior landscaping are mostly comprised of
species that are native to the understory of rainforests where
there is less light and fewer breezes than in the canopy level.
These plants naturally photosynthesize in lower light and have
evolved to accelerate transpiration, a process that creates
air movement. Transpiration circulates air and pulls airborne
toxins into the leaves and roots.
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Henry Ford Hospital West Bloomfield, Michigan |
In addition to oxygen, plants manufacture phytochemicals. These
are natural chemicals that the plants use to protect themselves
from microbes, insects and diseases. Phytochemicals suppress
mold spores and bacteria in ambient air. Studies from NASA indicate
that plant lled rooms contain 50 to 60 percent fewer airborne
molds and bacterias than rooms without plants.
Most modern buildings have traces of toxins which emit from
virtually every synthetic product ranging from carpeting to
computers but it is lesser known fact that human occupants produce
a pollutant called bioeffuents. Levels of bioeffuents can be
especially high in crowded spaces but plants can successfully
reduce these pollutants.
As long as a plant is living, the plant will continually produce
oxygen and absorb toxins from the air. The plant does not store
the toxins but it chemically converts the toxins into food and
bene cial natural chemicals. According to NASA studies the plants
removal rate accelerates as the volume of airborne toxins increases.
Source: B.C Wolverton. How To Grow Fresh Air. Penguin New York
1996.
THE RESEARCH: PLANTS THAT HEAL
Faster Recovery Patients who have rooms with views of
plants and greenery recover faster and require less pain medication
than patients without views of nature. 1 Urlich, Texas A&M University
Reduces Stress Patients exposed to natural environments
can experience lower blood pressure and reduce muscle tension,
producing recovery from stress within four to six minutes. 2
Urlich, Simmons, Texas A&M University
Happier Employees The presence of interior plants creates
an environment of wellbeing for employees and enhances positive
perceptions for the workplace. Conversely, employee perceptions
are less positive in the absence of plants. 3 Stiles, Oxford
University.
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“It
has to be real live plants; if you work with fake plants
it’s very difficult to really stay faithful to your vision
in creating a community center for wellbeing.”
Gerard Van Grinsven, President and CEO,
Henry Ford Hospital West Bloomfield |
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Sources: 1. Ulrich RS. View through a window
may influence recovery from surgery. Science 1984; 224:420-421.
2. Ulrich RS, Simons RF. Recovery from stress during exposure
to everyday outdoor environments. 1986. In: Wineman J, Barnes
R, Zimring C (eds.). The cost of not knowing: Proceedings of
the Seventeenth Annual Conference of the Environmental Design
Research Association. Environmental Design Research Association,
Washington, D.C. 3. Stiles J. 1995. PhD thesis at Oxford Brookes,
University, Oxford, England.
Established
in 1973, Planterra
is the leading interior landscape firm serving the healthcare
industry. Planterra specializes in interior landscape
consulting, design, installation and ongoing horticultural
care. Known for personal service, high quality and exceptional
specimen plants, Planterra is the preferred vendor among
architects, interior designers and healthcare facilities
professionals.
Photo Credit: Geoffrey George and Planterra |
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