2025 Canterbury Architecture Awards Winner
Hillmorton Hospital Specialist Mental Health Services
Te Huarahi Hou, meaning ‘a new journey’, centralises mental health care at Hillmorton Hospital, with two new buildings for youth, maternal, eating disorder, and high-needs services. The design prioritises wellbeing, with light-filled interiors, outdoor courtyards and therapeutic, homely spaces inspired by Te Ao Māori. Consultation with users help shape environments that balance dignity, autonomy, and clinical care. Durable materials like concrete, plywood, and timber create a domestic, safe atmosphere while meeting strict clinical standards. Offset mono-pitched roofs reference Christchurch’s residential history and soften institutional character. The project achieved New Zealand’s first five-star Green Star Building rating for healthcare and sets a new standard for sustainable, inclusive mental health design. It is an exemplar for future developments across New Zealand.
- Practice
- Klein Limited
- Category
- Public Architecture
- Location
- Canterbury
