The rooftop Critical Care Unit (CCU) garden at King's College Hospital in London is attracting interest beyond the UK, highlighting how carefully designed hard and soft landscaping can bring nature into even the most demanding built environments.

The project was recently discussed at the World Green Infrastructure Congress in Barcelona, held from 27 to 30 October 2026. Wallbarn director Julian attended the international event, representing Wallbarn and the UK's Green Roof Organisation (GRO).

During discussions about proposals to introduce outdoor hospital wards in Madrid, Julian found that the King's College Hospital project was already well known among delegates. Its approach to combining clinical care with landscaped outdoor space is attracting attention as a potential model for other hospitals.

Bringing landscaping into critical care

The 170m² rooftop garden at King's College Hospital is a fully operational outdoor extension of the hospital's Critical Care Unit, allowing critically ill patients to experience fresh air, daylight and planting while remaining connected to essential medical equipment.

Designed by a multidisciplinary team, with landscape design by Professor Nigel Dunnett, the garden brings together planted areas, integrated seating, sheltered spaces and suspended decking to create an accessible outdoor environment.

The combination of hard and soft landscaping is central to the design. The planting provides the natural surroundings and sensory experience, while the decking, circulation areas and supporting structures make the space practical for patients, hospital staff and specialist medical equipment.

The engineering beneath the landscape

Delivering this type of rooftop environment required more than conventional landscaping solutions.

Fire safety, structural requirements and access to critical medical services beneath the roof surface all influenced the design.

Wallbarn worked alongside project partners to develop and supply a fully Class A fire-rated decking substructure, incorporating Metalpad EX adjustable steel pedestals, aluminium rails and Class A rated fixings and connectors.

The suspended system provided a stable foundation for the finished decking while accommodating essential medical services beneath the surface and retaining access for future maintenance.

These technical considerations were particularly important given the location above an operational Critical Care Unit and the need to minimise disruption during installation.

A wider opportunity for rooftop landscaping

The international interest in King's College Hospital demonstrates the potential for rooftop landscaping to extend beyond traditional recreational or amenity spaces.

With suitable design, engineering and collaboration, underused rooftops can become functional outdoor environments that support patient wellbeing while meeting the practical requirements of complex buildings.

The discussions in Barcelona suggest that the King's College Hospital approach could help inform similar healthcare projects internationally.

Explore the King's College Hospital rooftop Critical Care Unit case study