mikyoung kim inserts crown sky garden into chicago hospital

mikyoung kim inserts crown sky garden into chicago hospital
all images courtesy of mikyoung kim

offering a place of sanctuary atop of the new chicago lurie children’s hospital, american studio mikyoung kim has created the interactive ‘crown sky garden’. designed for children, families, doctors and administrators to use, the rooftop escape features curving multi-coloured walls that frame a linear bamboo grove. a dynamic interplay between light, and color is accentuated by the glass marble water as it meanders through the planters, creating rippled shadow effects onto the surrounding spaces. both light and sound elements have been installed in the resin walls and locally reclaimed wooden play sculptures, helping to engage the children with the garden through orchestrated notes of nature. situated around the garden’s periphery are contemplative spaces from which to view the city and interact with the garden on a more intimate scale.

the garden uses recycled resin panels and reclaimed local wood

the project was based on psychological and physiological research, which found that nature and contemplative gardens had significantly restorative properties on people. the integration of healing spaces into hospitals and institutional environments is important for both patients and their families. this new pediatric center in chicago, is partnering with the center for health design to examine the impact on stress levels in children and their parents through as a result of the crown sky garden. within five minutes of engagement, studies have shown that there is a significant lowering of blood pressure, heart activity, electrical brain activity and muscle tension. the final design allows for programmatic flexibility, creating opportunities for physical movement and exercise, as well as a variety of contemplative individual and vibrant collective social experiences.

the light wall is activated by motions sensors, varying intensity based on the amount of movement

the founder’s tree house overlooks the garden from the second floor

the garden has a view of downtown chicago

a child activates the light wall by running

the reclaimed wood benches cue a sound score activated by touch

the garden’s undulating groves of bamboo

the garden has activity-centric spaces as well as calm ones, which are located on the periphery

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