Taranaki Hospital

A biophilic environment, engineered for wellbeing

The design engages all three of Stephen Kellert's biophilic design categories. Living plants are present throughout at genuine scale, creating interior gardens structured across canopy, mid-storey and ground layers, while sculpted timber ceilings, warm timber staircases and organic curved planters act as natural analogues — every surface reinforcing the healing narrative rather than working against it.Full-height glazing onto the courtyard connects patients to sky, weather and time, while curved banquette seating enclosed by planting creates a sheltered, psychologically safe refuge. For Health New Zealand, the result is a building that supports treatment, not just houses it — biophilic elements linked to reduced patient stay duration and improved staff wellbeing. Nature here is medicine.