Delivering purpose-built hospice care for Canterbury
Rubix provided project management, Project Director and Engineer to the Contract services for the delivery of the new Nurse Maude Hospice in Christchurch, a purpose-built facility designed to support specialist palliative care for patients and their whānau.
Opened in June 2026, the hospice was developed on Mansfield Avenue, opposite Nurse Maude's existing Merivale campus. Designed by Sheppard & Rout Architects and built by Cook Brothers Construction, the facility provides a modern, welcoming environment that supports Nurse Maude's whānau-centred model of care.
The single-storey facility includes 13 patient rooms arranged around a central landscaped courtyard, creating strong connections to outdoor spaces while maximising natural light throughout the building. Private patient rooms, garden views and dedicated spaces for whānau provide a calm and supportive environment for patients and those closest to them.
Delivering Specialist Healthcare Facilities
Rubix provided project leadership throughout the delivery of the hospice, supporting Nurse Maude to realise a facility specifically designed for the provision of contemporary palliative care services.
The hospice accommodates up to 13 patients, including dedicated facilities for paediatric and youth care, while also providing spaces for whānau, counselling, education and clinical support services. The design balances specialised healthcare requirements with a welcoming and comfortable environment that prioritises dignity, wellbeing and connection.
Rubix also provided Engineer to the Contract services and supported the successful coordination of stakeholders, consultants and contractors throughout delivery.
Managing Delivery in a Sensitive Healthcare Environment
A key priority throughout the project was creating an environment that balances specialised clinical requirements with comfort, dignity and support for patients, staff and whānau.
The new hospice was carefully planned to provide a non-institutional environment, combining clinical spaces with landscaped outdoor areas, natural light and dedicated family facilities. The building's arrangement around a central courtyard helps create a calm setting for patients and visitors while supporting efficient clinical operations.
The project also required careful management of site constraints, including contaminated ground conditions and construction within an established residential environment. Through proactive planning and coordination, Rubix supported the successful delivery of the facility while maintaining strong stakeholder engagement throughout the project.
Points of Interest
- The facility accommodates up to 13 patients, including dedicated paediatric and youth palliative care facilities.
- The building incorporates expressed glulam timber framing and natural material finishes to create a warm, non-clinical environment for patients and whānau.
- The project included management of contaminated ground conditions and delivery within an established residential neighbourhood.
- Rubix has supported Nurse Maude's campus redevelopment programme for more than a decade, providing project management services across the restoration of the heritage-listed McDougall House, development of an aged residential care hospital, construction of a campus utilities building, and delivery of the new Nurse Maude Hospice.
