During the so called Rotterdam Roof Days, the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam was declared 'Roof Hero 2017'. The Roof Hero is awarded to a person or institution that has made the most innovative, surprising or sustainable contribution, visible or invisible, to the development of roof landscapes in the Netherlands.
The design of the Erasmus MC includes a lot of greenery, with as highlight two unique roof gardens on the eighth floor of the hospital. Covering almost 3000 m2, these are the largest roof gardens at this height in the Netherlands.
The green roofs are part of the Erasmus MC ‘healing environment’, which places great emphasis on plenty of daylight and greenery and a warm and comfortable interior, because these factors boost the speedy recovery of hospital patients. What is remarkable about the roofs of the Erasmus MC is that they are also accessible for beds, which means that patients not only enjoy views of greenery but can also be surrounded by it.
The roof gardens are designed as small orchards of apple and pear trees planted on gentle mounds. Visitors are guided along a path past sheltered spots furnished with benches, protected places from where they can enjoy views of Rotterdam. Research has shown that green surroundings have a calming effect, and that views of greenery shorten the duration of patient stays in hospital.
Plenty of greenery is important in care environments like the Erasmus MC
Besides the two remarkable roof gardens, greenery is present throughout the hospital. The public space and inner courtyards contain as much planting as possible, and the glazed roofs admit plenty of daylight. Small green oases offer patients and visitors the possibility to withdraw and be alone.
The roof gardens are funded by donations from the Erasmus MC Friends Fund. The roof gardens are designed by landscape architects Juurlink [+] Geluk.
2017.06.09