Abbot Northwestern Hospital wanted its grounds and outdoor spaces to reflect the care and healing provided within the hospital. To accomplish this, Abbott worked with Barr to create a sustainable landscape master plan. Barr helped the hospital articulate the sustainable landscape goals to guide the plan and to maximize the use of the limited outdoor space. Goals include:
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Provide non-toxic outdoor spaces for people to enjoy
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Reduce our carbon footprint and sequester greenhouse gases through vegetation
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Provide a safe hospital campus that’s easy to navigate and respects our neighbors
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Provide habitat for birds and butterflies
The completed sustainable landscape master plan provided a broad overview of the hospital campus, identifying areas of potential sustainable landscape improvements. Divided into three parts, this overview distinguished between existing pavement, existing roof, and potential landscape opportunities. Barr developed improvement suggestions for each area.
The remainder of the plan detailed an opportunity guide for these spaces. The primary opportunities included designing restful healing spaces; creating a welcoming entry; preserving and developing tree canopy; reducing hard surfaces; managing stormwater in landscape to make good use of runoff; and considering rooftop opportunities.
Ready to build and enjoy the results of the sustainable landscape retrofit projects, Abbott moved into the implementation phase in 2022.