94 | IKON Architects & Hann Construction ARCHITECTURE design2.co.nz COMMERCIAL LIFESTYLE RESIDENTIAL Proud supporter of IKON Architects and Hann Construction 027 451 1486 T T Kim Newth Transformative project a winner The new child, adolescent and family outpatient facility on the outskirts of the city’s Hillmorton campus opened in December 2024. “The glazing patterning is derived from a korowai or cloak motif and is also part of the site’s cultural narrative.” Christchurch’s IKON Architects’ design transformation of a former hospital laundry building into a welcoming, safe, caring place for young people and their families has been recognised at the Canterbury Architecture Awards 2026. IKON received a Commercial Architecture Award for their mahi on this special project. Called Kahurangi, the new child, adolescent and family outpatient facility on the outskirts of the city’s Hillmorton campus opened in December 2024. The new facility has replaced outdated facilities from The Princess Margaret Hospital to provide modern, fit-for-purpose care, family therapy rooms, sensory spaces, and a therapeutic garden. The name Kahurangi, gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri, translates to “blue sky” and means to inspire the vision behind the project, to create a place of hope and care for the region’s at risk and vulnerable young people. It grew out of a partnership between Health New Zealand — Te Whatu Ora, Māia Health Foundation and Ngāi Tūāhuriri as mana whenua. IKON Architects joined the project in early 2021, when the building was essentially an empty shell. “Our job was to enable this former hospital laundry to have a new life as a youth outpatient facility,” says Henry Read, IKON Architect and Director. “For a project like this to be recognised at the awards is really humbling.” The award-winning project showcases the value of adaptive reuse at a large scale. The existing structure was retained while interior spaces were completely reworked, leaving no trace of the original building’s institutional feel. Instead, the new facility is modern, light, warm and welcoming. A standout aspect of the design is the arrival sequence to the building. Young people can approach it by multiple pathways, with opportunities to pause before entering. What was previously a service entrance is now the main entry. The lead up to it has been softened and transformed by carefully considered landscaping to make the building as accessible and welcoming as possible. Three significant trees were retained but the entire arrival area has otherwise been reconfigured. A distinctive ngutu, or welcome entrance, provides a place for people to meet, sit and gather their thoughts. Along with earthquake strengthening, the building has a partial new façade and brings an array of specialist rooms together under one roof. The unified design language ensures Kahurangi is a soothing place for young people and their families. Natural colours and textures soften the interior. The frontage features distinctive patterned glazing, designed to let light in without too much solar gain and glare. “The glazing patterning is derived from a korowai or cloak motif and is also part of the site’s cultural narrative.” It was noted at the awards that strongly collaborative relationships were fostered by the architects with clients, contractors and consultants. “Hann Construction were excellent to work with — very proactive and organised. Māia Health Foundation fundraised $6m towards the project. Their contribution and input was amazing and really extended this project.” In total, 28 architectural projects across Canterbury were deemed the very best in Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects’ regional awards this year. The jury was impressed by the ingenuity architects showed in responding to complex briefs and challenging constraints and noted how their collaborative relationships had resulted in projects delivered with exceptional care, resolution and craftmanship.
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