CF Rehabilitation Gardens

 Therapeutic Gardens of Okhmatdyt

space that helps to heal
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about us

Creation of a professional healing environment began with the landscaping of areas around the hospital’s new building in 2021.

Later, the project was further developed through the implementation of the Rehabilitation Garden in the spring of 2023 and the creation of two indoor therapeutic rooftop gardens, designed for children with oncological diseases in the fall of 2023. Currently, one of these gardens continues to function and serves as an important space for recovery and support for young patients. The other garden was damaged by an explosion and requires restoration and renewal.
Watch the video on how we created the gardens for “Okhmatdyt”

Idea of creating the garden was born from the real experience of parents who faced a lack of comfort within the hospital walls.

The project was initiated by Yulia Rashkovska, a specialist from the Guild of Landscape Architects of Ukraine. During her own child’s medical examination, she noticed that on the vast territory of Okhmatdyt, patients and their relatives effectively had nowhere to rest: mothers waiting for their turn were forced to sit directly on concrete curbs or lean against the walls of the buildings.

To change this situation, Yulia united twenty like-minded individuals—similarly active parents—around the idea. Together, they set an ambitious goal: to transform empty hospital areas into a functional therapeutic environment. The team achieved the incredible—they engaged nearly thirty organizations in the collaboration, which provided the project with everything necessary on a complimentary basis: from professional planting material to outdoor furniture and landscaping elements.

We expanded the boundaries of the hospital wards to the horizons of the garden, so that every child has the right to fresh air and movement

Rooftop Gardens: a safe world for the oncology department

Two therapeutic gardens were created in the fall of 2023 for small patients who are forced to spend weeks in isolation; we created special locations — rooftop gardens. These are enclosed rehabilitation zones where nature becomes accessible without leaving the hospital building. Such a format guarantees sterility and safety, while simultaneously giving children the opportunity to feel the wind and sun, which is critically important for overcoming stress and social isolation during complex treatment.

Currently, one of the gardens is damaged as a result of an explosion and requires restoration.

Rehabilitation Garden: open space for families

In the spring of 2023, a large open garden was created, becoming the heart of the hospital courtyard. This location was developed as an inclusive space for the emotional recovery of patients and their loved ones. Thanks to sensory zones and cozy landscaping, the garden helps families at least for a while to change the medical atmosphere for a soothing natural landscape, finding strength for further struggle.

more than a landscape

Key design features

Plant compositions are formed taking into account the seasonality of flowering trees and shrubs, ensuring continuous decorativeness of the territory throughout the year. During the design process, the view from the ward windows was considered. Greenery is organized in such a way that children can observe natural seasonal changes even while staying indoors, which positively affects the emotional state and contributes to psychological recovery.

In spring

the garden is filled with blossoms

In summer

it shines with lush greenery and the texture of perennials

In autumn

is filled with the changing colors of the leaves

In winter

it maintains structural expressiveness thanks to evergreen plantings and the architectonics of the plants

The project was developed during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the spatial solutions provided for compliance with safety principles and the separation of flows.

The project was developed during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the spatial solutions provided for compliance with safety principles and the separation of flows. The garden layout is executed in a corridor type between plant groups, which allows for the organization of children’s outdoor stays without the crossing of different groups. This approach ensures a safe distance, controlled movement, and comfortable use of the space under conditions of increased sanitary requirements.

The garden has become an example of a modern approach to forming a healing environment, where natural space combines aesthetic, rehabilitative, and safety functions

stories

Little smiles of a big garden

Every child who comes to Okhmatdyt brings their own unique story. For some, our garden became the place of their first smile after a difficult procedure, and for others—a quiet refuge for warm conversations with loved ones. We carefully preserve these memories of those who recovered and those who remained in our hearts forever, because in every such story lies the true meaning of our work.

Little Romchyk

Mariia

Nadiia

Romchyk

consequences of war

War leaves scars not only on human destinies but also on the spaces designed to heal.

Unfortunately, as a result of russian attacks, our projects suffered significant losses. Project organizer Yulia Rashkovska, together with her own crew and colleagues, worked on-site for five days, clearing debris and laying the foundation for future restoration.
Watch the video of the debris removal process at Okhmatdyt

Open-type rehabilitation garden

As a result of enemy shelling, the open rehabilitation gardens were significantly damaged. Every strike on a living environment is an attempt to destroy the space of peace that we so carefully created for the recovery of others.

This is how the rehabilitation garden looked before the enemy attacks

The rehabilitation garden as a result of the destruction

Enclosed therapeutic garden

One of the enclosed therapeutic gardens, created as a protected sanctuary for mental recovery, is now completely destroyed. Today, it requires salvation and reconstruction.

Enclosed therapeutic garden before the enemy attacks

This is what the therapeutic garden looks like as a result of the destruction

Help us create more healing spaces

We believe that every garden is a space for recovery and life. And we are looking for like-minded people who will help these gardens bloom.
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