RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

Creating a 'home away from home' for families in healthcare

Urban Green supported the refurbishment of an existing residential facility and garden, with our multidisciplinary team leading the design and planning process from early concept through to technical delivery. The result is a high-quality, comforting “home away from home” for families with children receiving hospital care. The project aimed to enhance both the indoor and outdoor environments to better support the emotional and practical needs of families, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and wellbeing.

The existing garden courtyard presented a unique design challenge. While it was home to several mature trees that were highly valued by both the client and the planning authority, the space also needed to become significantly more usable for families.

Our landscape design responded with the following features:

• Quiet seating areas designed for moments of reflection and respite
• A covered gathering space to support small social interactions and events
• A central play area enriched with natural features that subtly reflect the surrounding woodland landscape
• Fully wheelchair-accessible routes integrated throughout the garden

GIS played a central role in supporting the ecological and arboricultural aspects of the project. From baseline habitat surveys using Coreo and ArcGIS Pro to detailed UKHab compliant mapping, this data informed ecological design, arboricultural planning, and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments. All BNG mapping including habitat condition, retention, and post-development mapping was produced in-house by Urban Green. This ensured accuracy, consistency, and efficient collaboration across disciplines.

Ecological surveys, including bat dusk emergence checks, confirmed that no roosts were present. This allowed the refurbishment to proceed lawfully and in accordance with good practice guidance.

The natural setting was designed to encourage social interaction, physical activity, and mindfulness, all of which support mental wellbeing. Retaining high-quality trees has also contributed to improved air quality and created a calming contrast to the surrounding urban environment.