Creating revitalising healthcare spaces

Healthcare spaces are increasingly being designed using an architectural, research-based model called evidence-led design. The approach focuses on the human experience and the crafting of spaces that feel more responsive to the needs of its users. Ultimately, this ensures patients can feel at home and relaxed while staff are motivated to work to the best of their capacities.

Te Omanga Hospice, an established palliative care facility serving the Hutt Valley community in New Zealand, was recently rebuilt following the building’s need for earthquake strengthening. Designed by CCM Architects, the spectacular new facility has eight generously-sized bedrooms with ensuites – all supported by associated medical facilities and nursing areas.

The architecture succeeds in creating an uplifting, peaceful and nurturing environment. Light-filled workspaces, for instance, help connect the indoors with the exteriors, enhancing the patient and staff’s experience of their indoor environments. A sense of wellbeing and safety prevails.

Even the interior design by SPACES I.D delivers a contemporary flair. SPACES I.D. has chosen and installed products that not only meet safety standards but also contribute to creating a reassuring ambience. This is particularly evident with their collaboration with Milliken-Ontera. The Australian and New Zealand design leaders in commercial carpet tiles, Milliken-Ontera have provided carpet selections that resonate with the needs of patients and staff, elevating the facility’s interior environment, while also meeting all healthcare requirements.

To add more energy and colour, the designers have used Milliken-Ontera’s Whale Song collection to cover the administrative and management staff areas of the hospice facility. The collection, which has a look and feel of a contemporary semi-residential carpet, finds application on the ground floor, across the public areas, lounges, in-patient medical staff offices and patient areas.

The solution-dyed Whale Song collection is composed of four distinctive patterns – textured, loop and tip-sheared – inspired by the sound patterns of whales. Whether stretched, elongated or pixelated, the designs lend more perspective complementing the other product offerings by Milliken Ontera.

The Milliken-Ontera selection varies as you make your way through the hospice, with SPACES I.D. using Beluga in Barnacle for the ground floor and Humpback in the Marine colourway on the first floor. Beluga offers textural gradation that softens as it moves throughout the space, creating an interior where movement is purposeful, yet quiet. As for Humpback, it references the underwater landscape with an ebb-and-flow-like pattern.

The client’s design concept also required Milliken-Ontera to provide a custom colour and pattern. This was seamlessly achieved through the company’s unique ability to provide customisation in a short lead-time through their manufacturing facility in Sydney.

Overall, Te Omanga Hospice makes quite an impression; the flooring design, in particular, creates a welcoming and comforting atmosphere indoors that feeds into the innovative evidence-led design which is informing the healthcare spaces of tomorrow.

Architects: CCM Architects Interior Design by: SPACES I.D. Photography by: AVODAH