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The design of the new hospice building started with a ‘wish list’ about five years ago.
Project team chair Bruce Manson says it was a lengthy process to prioritise what patients and staff wanted into something that was “within the bounds of reasonableness”.
“It took time, but it was time well spent, especially when it came to drafting the architect’s brief,” he says.
“We knew we wanted a building that didn’t look like an institution or hospital. We wanted a building that was welcoming for visitors and patients, and not intimidating. The second priority was that the building had to work upstairs and downstairs.”
An Expressions of Interest document was prepared and circulated to 23 firms, with Auckland architects Chow:Hill eventually winning the contract.
Chow:Hill director Maurice Kiely says that the simplicity of the materials used, as well as the simple form, helped reflect the building’s rural aspect.
“The idea was to create a building that generated warmth and homeliness but that had a presence as a community building, not a home,” Mr Kiely says.
The building had to satisfy a number of needs, from patient care to the fundraising garage sales, which have been given a purpose-built bespoke area.
“Hospice went through its own process to determine its needs and when we joined the project our first step was to challenge and understand those needs. We looked at their vision and then how we could express that in the building and landscaping.
“After developing a fairly detailed concept plan, this was reconciled against the budget. Because it was a community-based project, it was important to match the project to the funds available and to understand the funding streams into the future.”
Mr Kiely says the building will need some fine-tuning once it is fully functional.
“There is always a period of adjustment. The building is a vehicle for hospice to do what they do. If that happens in a comfortable and efficient way then I will consider the project a success.”
The upstairs of the 1400sqm building, off Glenmore Drive, will accommodate daycare facilities, respite and therapy rooms, a nurses’ area, administration offices, reception, and two kitchens for use by staff, patients, and the hospice catering team. There are also a number of meeting rooms for patient and family consultations. A larger room that can cater for up to 100 people will be available for associated community groups to use.
The ground floor, which is accessed from Morrison Drive, will meet the needs of the garage sales with improved showing and collection space. There is also a large storage area for hospice equipment.
There are 43 car parking spaces on site, including a short-term drop-off area, off Glenmore Drive.
Bruce Manson says hospice owes a great deal to the support of local businesses such as the engineering firm Hutchinson Consultants, Buckton Surveyors, O’Connor Planning (now Barker & Associates), Lineastone and EarCon, who provided their services free of charge.
Mr Manson says while the build was relatively straightforward, rain hampered initial earthworks and there were some unexpected challenges along the way.
“We had budgeted for smoke alarms, but part way through the build we learned we would need to include a full sprinkler system. This had implications for the water pressure on the site as well the budget. Individually, some of these things may seem minor, but they all added to the complexity of the build.
“It’s very satisfying to see the building finished and to know that it is a structure that will not only reduce operating costs, it will serve the needs of hospice well into the future.”
