Taranaki Renal Unit - Te Huhi Raupō scoops further global recognition for innovation and sustainability

14 November 2023

Te Huhi Raupō, the new Renal Unit at Taranaki Base Hospital, has been recognised once more for its innovative and sustainable design - this time at the 2023 Healthcare Environment Awards held in New Orleans last month.

At the awards, the Warren and Mahoney Architects-designed building was chosen as a winner by a panel of experts and key industry stakeholders because it epitomised the high level of achievement in innovation and design excellence they were looking for.

When commissioned in November 2022, Te Huhi Raupō helped to shift the expectations of what is possible in healthcare because its design enables a holistic shift in the care of dialysis patients and also packed a big climate-conscious punch.

Te Whatu Ora Group Director of Operations for Taranaki, Gillian Campbell, says to receive such international recognition of our efforts in design and sustainability is incredibly rewarding.

“It is a testament to the expertise of the designers and contractors involved and the commitment by Te Whatu Ora to investing in sustainable design,” says Campbell.

“Together we have produced a building that provides an inviting space that provides the clinical care our renal patients need while also positively supporting the mental well-being of patients and staff. To take home this award following such a successful awards season is the icing on the cake.”

In addition to this latest award, Te Huhi Raupō has also been recognised for:

Excellence in both the Civic, Health & Arts category and the Green Building category at the New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards.
Winner of the public architecture category at the 2023 Western Architecture Awards
Winner of the prestigious Healthcare Design (under 25,000m2) trophy in the European Healthcare Design Awards 2023.
Highly commended in the Design for Health & Wellness category at the European Healthcare Design Awards 2023.
Winner of a Public Architecture Award at the Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Western Award

When it comes to sustainability, Te Huhi Raupō is targeting Net Zero Energy Certification and Zero Carbon Certification through the Living Building Challenge. The building has a net embodied carbon, or global warming potential, of less than zero. Its total energy use over a year will be neutral, through reduced energy consumption and the use of roof-mounted solar panels to generate energy. This is a global exemplar in sustainable healthcare design.

More information about the Healthcare Environment Awards
The Healthcare Environment Awards were created by The Centre for Health Design in 1989 to encourage and celebrate the use of an evidenced-based design process, focusing on how design can improve safety, enhance experiences, increase organisational efficiency, and improve health outcomes.

Since then, nearly 300 projects – built and conceptual, by professionals and students from around the world – have been awarded this distinction.

This year an expert panel of key industry stakeholders — academics, architects, designers, healthcare executives, planners, facility executives, patient and family advisors, and researchers — gathered to carefully review each submission.

Seven projects were selected for recognition and will be honoured at this year’s Healthcare Design Conference & Expo on Monday November 6, 2023.
Other winners included:

The Pavilion at The Hospital of The University Of Pennsylvania, PennFIRST (HDR, Foster + Partners, LF Driscoll, BR+A, Balfour Beatty)
Community Of Hope, Family Health & Birth Centre, Gensler

Last updated: Tuesday, November 14, 2023