Memorial Hospital archive: thamesfacingeast
Meristem Design is proud to announce the completion of a new revitalisation project at the historic Memorial Hospital, located atop Shooters Hill in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The landmark hospital was built in 1927 and is surrounded by seven hectares of greenery adjacent to Oxleas Woods, a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The recent enhancements focus on the hospital’s internal courtyard, an area that was previously unmanaged and underutilised, to create a more sustainable environment for the wellbeing of both patients and staff.
Turning the Grey Green
To help transform the courtyard into a vibrant and green space, we focused on elements that would boost biodiversity, support wellbeing and increase sustainability. These elements included:
Installation of SuDS planters: Designed to manage surface water, the planters will collect rooftop runoff which will be absorbed by the soil and plants, reducing flood risk. Not only that, the SuDS planters also improves water quality and supports urban biodiversity. Plants placed in the planters include:
Erigeron, Mehlenbeckia, Sarcococca, Heuchera, Miscanthus
Re-planting and relocation: Existing planters were re-planted to help rejuvenate the area with lush plants, providing rich habitats for wildlife. Meristem also helped relocate one planter to the car park, supporting the extension of the green space beyond the courtyard.
Pond revitalisation: Revitalising the pond creates a tranquil water feature for the space, also serving as a habitat for local wildlife. After a thorough clean, Meristem Design enhanced the pond through the addition of new aquatic plants including:
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Common Water Crowfoot, Willow Moss (Fontinalis Antipyretica), Hornwort (Ceratophyllum dermersum), Brandy bottle (Nuphar Luteum) and Alba water lily (Nymphaea alba)
The Hospital’s commitment to the environment
Memorial Hospital is home to a number of ornamental trees, creating a green and vibrant outlook for staff and patients. The hospital also runs a number of sustainability programmes, including a ‘no-mow’ area to keep the grass onsite longer to benefits pollinators and other local wildlife.
site of historic and environmental significance
Hall of Remembrance within the hospital: Photo Credit: Secretlondon
History of the hospital
Today run by the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, the hospital was previously conceived as a war memorial for those who served in the First World War, with the Woolwich and District Hospital Association acquiring the site in 1920. Opened in 1927, the hospital officially began receiving patients in 1928 and has since played a crucial role in community healthcare.
By 1930 the hospital was known as the Woolwich and District War Memorial Hospital, until 1931 when it became the Woolwich and District Hospital Association War Memorial Hospital. In 1938 it was known simply as the Memorial Hospital. During WW2 the Hospital became a military hospital, providing back-up facilities. In 1948 it joined the NHS as a general hospital.
Information taken from ‘Lost Hospitals of London’.
Local environment
Nestled next to the ancient Oxleas Woodlands SSSI, the hospital is part of a vibrant landscape full of biodiversity. The woodlands which are at least 8000 years old are full of oak, silver birch, hornbeam and coppice hazel trees, covering over 80 hectares.
Part of the Green Chain Walk, a route which spans fields, parks and woodlands across 50 miles, the woodlands provide a stunning and unique backdrop to enhance the hospital’s natural setting.
The Memorial Hospital’s courtyard revitalisation is a testament to the potential of green design to transform urban spaces. The project not only enhances the hospital’s environment and improves patient and staff wellbeing, but also contributes positively to the surrounding Oxleas Woodlands ecosystem, reinforcing the historic hospital’s role as a sustainable community cornerstone.
