Nelson Mandela,
Johannesburg

“The courtyard garden as the centrepiece of the facility”

In 2016, Johannesburg’s Nelson Mandela children’s hospital was equipped with Fermob furniture as part of the project to design its outdoor areas.

The courtyard gardens were therefore conceived as the facility’s centrepiece. Architect Annamari Comrie, from the South African architecture firm GREENinc, designed the hospital’s outdoor area as a large centrepiece, linking each wing of the building. Particular attention was paid to the functionality of the site and its facilities.

Annamari Comrie’s research and projects on “therapeutic landscaping” confirmed that the outdoor design of healthcare buildings plays an essential role in the well-being and recovery of its patients. Since then, the Nelson Mandela Hospital has been promoting physical and recreational open-air activities, coupled with visual or physical contact with the outdoors and nature.

As such, Fermob furniture plays an active role in the children’s lives on a daily basis: the colour and modularity of the products promote rest, interaction and fosters emotional links with their families and the nursing staff.

The five interior courtyards are fitted with LOUISIANE benches, adding a “natural chic” touch to the setting composed of ponds, pergolas and wild flowerbeds. The pure, simple and timeless lines of this garden bench are etched into our collective memory and invite us to unwind.

The children have their own dedicated play area equipped with the LUXEMBOURG KIDS collection– a perfect match for the life-size wooden train designed by artist Mary Sibande. The mini version of this historic chair remains faithful to its older sibling in terms of design, with the same curved aluminium slat seat and backrest. Extremely lightweight and suitable for children aged 3 to 6, it adds a touch of Parisian charm to the hospital – an aesthetic touch that both children and adults are sure to appreciate.

For this project, Annamari Comrie opted for bright, happy colours, i.e. Honey and Cedar Green, combined with Linen (a recent addition to Fermob’s colour chart), Cotton White and Willow Green, which provide a soft and relaxing dimension.

GREENinc architecture firm
Website

Crédits photos : Arnaud Childeric

Products used for this project: