Designed specifically for hospice care, the new Nurse Maude Hospice was created to provide a welcoming environment that feels more like home than a healthcare facility. The project combines natural light, landscaped outdoor spaces and carefully selected interior finishes to create a place where patients, families and care teams can feel supported during life's most challenging moments.

The design is underpinned by the values that guide Nurse Maude's approach to care, including Mahi Kotahi (working as one), Manaaki (care and respect), Tikanga (cultural strength), Wairua (spiritual wellbeing) and Whānaukataka (relationships and kinship). These values influenced the spaces throughout the building, creating an environment that supports connection, dignity and a strong sense of belonging for patients and their whānau.

The design

Designed by Sheppard & Rout Architects, the hospice was envisioned as a calm and restorative environment that reflects both the residential character of a home and the functional requirements of specialist healthcare. Natural materials, subtle colours and locally inspired design elements contribute to a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the facility.

Flooring played an important role in supporting this vision. Urban Forest Carpet Tiles were selected for their organic aesthetic and ability to introduce texture, warmth and acoustic comfort throughout the interior. The natural appearance of the flooring complemented the wider design palette, helping create spaces that feel comfortable, familiar and non-institutional.

CoralTread Entrance Matting was incorporated at key entry points, providing a seamless transition into the building while maintaining the overall design intent.

The solution

The flooring package needed to balance comfort, durability and long-term performance while supporting the unique requirements of a modern hospice environment.

Urban Forest Carpet Tiles provide acoustic benefits and underfoot comfort while offering the flexibility and durability required in a busy healthcare setting. Their modular format also supports efficient maintenance and future replacement where required.

CoralTread Entrance Matting helps protect the interior environment by capturing dirt and moisture at entry points before it can be tracked through the facility. This contributes to safer walking surfaces, reduced maintenance requirements and improved protection of internal floor finishes.

Together, the flooring systems support both the operational requirements of the hospice and the day-to-day experience of patients, visitors and staff.

The outcome

The completed Nurse Maude Hospice provides Canterbury with a purpose-built facility centred on comfort, dignity and connection. The flooring solution contributes to this vision by creating warm, welcoming interiors while delivering the durability and functionality required in a healthcare environment.

Urban Forest Carpet Tiles and CoralTread Entrance Matting work together to support the building's performance while helping reinforce the residential, human-centred character of the design. The result is a flooring solution that enhances the experience of patients, whānau and staff while supporting the long-term operational needs of the hospice.