Healing beyond hospital walls

IMD Health Triangle Park and Global COVID-19 Memorial

Location	Chicago, Illinois
Client	Illinois Medical District Commission (IMDC)
Expertise	Research & Design Innovation, Inclusive & Accessible Design
Size	1.15 acres
Completion	Ongoing

We are working closely with the Illinois Medical District Commission (IMDC) to design a transformative new park dedicated to wellness and healing at the heart of one of the nation’s most active healthcare campuses. This one-acre “health triangle,” located at the confluence of four major hospitals and bounded by Ogden Avenue, Damen Avenue, and Polk Street, will establish an inviting and accessible public landscape for hospital staff, patients, visitors, and surrounding residents.

The landscape framework is guided by the World Health Organization’s three interconnected principles of health - mental, physical, and social - organizing the park into layered zones that support holistic wellbeing.

Mental Health

A signature four-season garden anchors the park with perennials, shrubs, and canopy trees selected for texture, fragrance, and year-round richness. A contemplative healing garden node offers a quiet refuge for pause and reflection, while subtle sensory elements, including musical chimes and immersive planting, create a calming, restorative environment.

Physical Activity

A continuous walking and running loop traces the site, encouraging daily movement and active breaks. Two inclusive fitness zones support users of varying ages and abilities, while an open space provides flexible space for stretching, yoga, informal recreation, or organized wellness programming.

Social Connection

Ample seating and gathering spaces are woven throughout the landscape to foster conversation, respite, and community interaction. These adaptable areas are designed to accommodate both informal use and future programming, strengthening the district’s social fabric.

A Monument for Care

At the heart of the park, a sculptural monument will honor those affected by COVID-19 while serving as a powerful symbol of resilience and community care. Together, the park and monument will bring new energy and new possibilities to the IMD. Upon completion, the park and sculptural monument will be open to the public 24/7, reinforcing the district's commitment to accessibility and care beyond clinical walls.

Restorative Space

Framed by busy streets and hospital traffic, the design incorporates layered planting, soft landscape buffers, and thoughtful spatial organization to create a sense of safety, welcome, and enclosure. What was once a largely utilitarian corner will become a restorative urban oasis.

As the first public green space added to the Illinois Medical District in 80 years, the park represents a pivotal step in delivering IMD’s master plan and broader vision for a more walkable, inclusive campus that supports daily life and long-term wellbeing.