The Gawler Health Service Emergency Department demonstrates how landscape architecture can contribute to healthcare environments that support healing, wellbeing and cultural connection. As part of the multidisciplinary team led by DesignInc, CLOVER developed the landscape design for the expanded emergency department, creating welcoming outdoor spaces that complement the contemporary healthcare facility while improving the experience for patients, visitors and staff.

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A key focus of the project was recognising and celebrating the cultural significance of the site. Through collaborative workshops with the Aboriginal Health Group and their Yarning Circle, the landscape design was shaped by meaningful conversations about Country, community and connection. This engagement informed the creation of a dedicated gathering and reflection space centred around a native wattle garden, providing a welcoming setting for future meetings, cultural activities and quiet contemplation. A brass plaque within a central red sand feature acknowledges the legacy of the staff member who established the Aboriginal Health Group, ensuring their contribution continues to be recognised for generations to come.

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The broader landscape strengthens the arrival experience through generous planting, accessible pathways and integrated outdoor spaces that soften the built environment while supporting the hospital's expanded emergency department. Planting has been carefully selected to create a calming and resilient landscape that contributes to patient wellbeing, staff amenity and the long-term character of the health service.

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The result is a landscape that extends beyond aesthetics, creating a place of healing, inclusion and respect where culture, community and healthcare come together.