| 99 T T Kelly Deeks Recognition for patient-focused design The Wingates team used the existing character of the area to inspire their material palette. INTERIORS Wingates A Tauranga healthcare project by award-winning architecture and interiors studio Wingates has been named a finalist in the prestigious NZIA Interior Awards, showcasing the firm’s commitment to creating environments that are both functional and uplifting. Wingates’ associate and architectural designer Michael Carter, who led the project from concept to completion along with Wingates principal and architect Michelle Teutenberg and associate and interior designer Victor Chen, says being recognised in the Health and Wellness category is a proud moment for both the team and their private healthcare client. “This was the first project where I was involved from the very start all the way through to the finish, so it’s been incredibly rewarding to see it now being recognised at this level,” Michael says. Located in Tauranga South, on the former site of an old milk depository, the MacMurray Medical Centre is the client’s third healthcare facility, joining others in Auckland, Cambridge. Its fourth facility is now under construction in Christchurch. The Tauranga project focuses on delivering not just clinical functionality, but also a calming, patient-centric environment. “The client was really invested in making the building an extension of their brand and values,” Michael says. “They’re passionate about delivering the best-possible care, and they see good architecture and interior design as central to achieving that.” Working on a semi-industrial site, the Wingates team used the existing character of the area to inspire their material palette. The building’s exterior features robust light metal cladding and a strong mono-pitched roof form, contrasting with the softer timber finishes inside. Michael says this deliberate contrast between the hard exterior and warm interior materials plays a key role in putting patients at ease. “We wanted to create a space that feels welcoming and comforting from the moment you arrive,” he says. “There’s a real focus on natural light, timber textures, and subtle finishes like textured French wash paint on interior walls to enhance that feeling of calm.” The centre includes a large waiting area, four consult rooms, two theatres, pre- and post-operative spaces, and recovery rooms designed to foster patient wellness. Standout features include high clerestory windows that flood the central spaces with soft southern light, and a large bay window at the building’s street frontage that adds visual interest and brings natural views into the recovery zone. Michael says lessons learned from the Tauranga project have been directly applied to the client’s next facility, currently under construction in Christchurch. “A lot of time was spent refining the floor plan on this project to make sure patient flow, privacy, and staff movement worked efficiently,” he says. Wingates, established in 2004, and with studios in Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, and Christchurch, has built a strong reputation for commercial, healthcare, and interior architecture that balances aesthetics with commercial realities. The firm’s purpose-driven ethos, ‘Creating places that truly matter’, is evident in the thoughtful design of the MacMurray Medical Centre Tauranga. “This project really shows how good design can improve the experience for patients and staff,” Michael says. “It’s been great to see how the architecture and interiors have worked together to deliver something special, not just for our client, but for the whole community.” COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL | DESIGN & BUILD marraconstruction.co.nz office@marra.co.nz 07 543 0774 Looking to get your project off the ground? Let’s discuss how Marra can take your project from concept to a quality investment. • STRUCTURAL • SEISMIC • RESIDENTIAL z www.lautrec.co.nz m 09 972 1595 office@lautrec.co.nz CONSULTING ENGINEERS Proud to be part of the Project Team A 445 Cameron Road, Tauranga. T 64 7 578 3383 W www.crowthers.co.nz
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