Health Care
Plymouth Place/
Plymouth Place Assisted Living
Plymouth Place Senior Living, located in La Grange, Illinois, enlisted the design ingenuity of Mariani Landscape to transform its rooftop and grounds into a place for healing. Through a generous donation and suggestions from the Carhart family, Mariani converted the rooftop into an outdoor space providing comfort and relaxation to patients, families and facility staff seeking a healing atmosphere.
This growing trend is redefining the function of today’s healthcare facilities by creating more patient-friendly environments. Mariani has also embraced the value and positive atmosphere nature creates for healing through its work with Lake Forest Hospital and Elmhurst Memorial Hospital.
Complemented by a centralized water bubbler, Plymouth Place’s 2,300 square foot rooftop garden provides an interactive experience for visitors. The garden features pull-up spaces around the main area, featuring raised planters that allow wheelchair access. “We were looking for an interactive addition and the vertical gardens were a perfect fit,” says Dale Lilburn, CEO of Plymouth Place Senior Living.
The community feeling provides each resident with the opportunity to exercise their green thumb and artistic mind. “This garden is unique in the sense that there are multiple ‘owners’ who have the ability to design and maintain their area within the garden,” says landscape architect Shannon Mitchell. “Above all, it’s interactive, which the residents enjoy.”
The rooftop garden includes vertical gardens with vegetation including green gem boxwood, coral burst crab apple, herbs, and fruits and vegetables including strawberries, tomatoes, and green peppers. “It’s definitely a learning experience for all,” says Mitchell. “Each garden rotates plants year-round which gives us exposure to different species of plants.” Accents such as creeping jenny, ajugas, hostas and sedum add horizontal elements to the space. Intertwining vines climb the surrounding walls while wind chimes play their peaceful melodies.
Through delicate planning and execution, the landscape of Plymouth Place was reshaped to provide visitors and residents alike with a healing and relaxing environment. Mariani worked seamlessly with the building’s architectural design and incorporated a pergola and benches to provide a sense of serenity. “The landscape is critical to our forms of care at Plymouth,” says Lilburn.
Plymouth Place’s rooftop garden provides space for individuals to foster friendships and peace of mind. Residents visit the garden to interact with family and friends, get their hands dirty, or simply to relax. “It’s important to have these spaces to enjoy and not feel cooped up indoors,” says Mitchell.
The healing effect that a garden can have on an individual is reflected in the person’s physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. The complex design and construction conveys the simple message of relaxation and reflection. According to Lilburn, residents are eager to experience the garden in the Spring. “Residents continue to gather at the window with excitement each day, patiently waiting for Spring to arrive so they can plant their own seeds.”
