We have been appointed as landscape architects for the design of the grounds of this new build high quality care home in Midlothian.

The site is quite restricted in size and the main garden space has been pushed further towards the boundary to make the most of the sun, with a shed, benches and raised planters forming the heart of the space. The focus was to provide a beautiful, fully accessible and welcoming setting.  The elements, shed etc are intended to be domestic reference points that create familiarity. Raised planters with integrated bench seats frame the lawn space.

The main social and active space for the site needs to be a hardworking space, combining flexibility, with sensory planting, a growing space. All the spaces were designed to be inclusive and flexible to meet the needs of a variety of physical and mental health conditions.

The planting was carefully considered to explore the relationship between the residents and the plants and to reference local landscapes and flora. The terraces that look onto the walkway can be defined with a planted buffer that creates some privacy, whilst avoiding a solid barrier. There is opportunity for wildlife enhancing elements such as bird feeders and insect habitats that are integrated into the landscape.