Project requirements
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust wanted to provide their staff with a restorative outdoor space, somewhere they could relax and reconnect with nature, all while supporting sustainability and local food initiatives.
The Trust wanted much more than a tidy-up. The brief was to create something practical. But also an environment that feels calm and inviting, with dedicated areas for growing produce and planting for biodiversity. They wanted a garden oasis to promote wellbeing.
The challenge
The project site, once an uncultivated, neglected area of hospital land, presented significant hurdles and obstacles.
Over time the site had become more and more of a challenge to address and overcome.
Undeterred, our teams saw huge potential in the site and were spurred on by being given the opportunity to deliver something unique for the people working at the hospital.
We took full responsibility for coordinating and overseeing the entire project, and with strict adherence to health, safety and environmental regulations, we ensured the project was completed safely and compliantly.
What we did
Krinkels acted as both principal contractor and project manager, taking the scheme from early design development through to build, landscaping and handover. We coordinated stakeholders, chose and managed local specialist partners, and kept the programme on track, even when conditions on site changed (and they very often did).
The site needed a complete overhaul. The teams cleared the area, reshaped the landscape and delivered a carefully designed space for daily use. Materials and finishes were selected for longevity and low-impact maintenance, with planting chosen to support pollinators and seasonal interest.
The outcome
The Trust now has a green space where staff can unwind, something that is incredibly important for them either before, during, or after a busy shift.
The new garden is now a place where people can pause and collect their thoughts, away from clinical pressures; perfect for a moment to let go of workplace strain. Both staff wellbeing and morale has improved since the garden has opened, something which we were delighted to hear.
The hospital garden also received recognition at the Reading in Bloom award ceremony in 2025, winning Gold in the Wellbeing Garden category.
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