This report has been commissioned by CADE for the Bouygues Consortium to research the health benefits of hospital gardens and courtyards and to apply these benefits to the five new courtyard areas at Broomfield Hospital in the form of concepts. The report also suggests how artists can become involved in the realisation of those concepts in the design process.

The research findings in this report clearly show the short term stress reduction and long term health benefits by investing in appropriate landscape and outdoor spaces in hospitals. It is believed that the construction of these visionary courtyards will engender an atmosphere of care and provide a better working environment for staff with a healing and calming environment for patients and visitors. This proposal that combines the visual healing effects of plants and artwork is a unique opportunity for Broomfield Hospital to create a flagship scheme of international importance.