Tauranga Hospital oncology centre earns property award

NATIONAL RECOGNITION: The Kathleen Kilgour Centre has been praised for its innovative design, cutting edge technology and personalised patient care.

Tauranga Hospital's Kathleen Kilgour Centre has won an excellence award in a national contest run by the Property Council of New Zealand.

Chief judge John Dunn said the centre built by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board set a new standard for oncology radiation treatment in New Zealand.

The centre was entered in the Warren and Mahoney special purpose property award.

Mr Dunn praised Kathleen Kilgour Centre for its innovative design, cutting edge technology and personalised patient care. "This project, with the support of private investors, incorpor-ates world-class technology in a high-quality environment."

He said the centre was designed to optimise the patient experience at a time of anxiety. "It is finished and furnished to a high standard, creating a modern, relaxed, caring and supportive environment for patients and their families."

The project was submitted by The Building Intelligence Group, Rider Levett Bucknall, Wingate & Farquhar, and Fletcher Construction.

Kathleen Kilgour Centre has also won its way through to the New Zealand Architecture Awards to be judged in November after qualifying as a Waikato-Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards winner.

The Property Council's Rider Levett Bucknall supreme award was won by Wellington's Clyde Quay Wharf.

Whakatane Hospital won a merit award in the Warren and Mahoney special purpose award, with the best in category going to Auckland's Lopdell Precinct.

Other best in category winners included Wellington's 15 Stout St (green building); Cambridge's Avantidrome Home of Cycling (tourism and leisure).