Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora E Tū Wairua Hinengaro – Mason Clinic

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora’s E Tū Wairua Hinengaro – Mason Clinic is New Zealand’s largest forensic psychiatric service, supporting close to two million people across Auckland and Northland. The $200 million E Tū Wairua Hinengaro building represents one of the largest specialist mental health infrastructure projects in the country, replacing outdated facilities with a modern, three-storey, 10,000-square-metre space designed to support better health outcomes.

Urban Effects collaborated with Erin Phillips, Senior Landscape Architect from Thomas Consultants Ltd, Klein Architects and Asset Construction Limited, to create outdoor spaces that prioritise wellbeing for staff, patients and their visiting whānau.

The facility features four wings, each with a secure courtyard, providing a safe, recovery-focused environment. The design of both the outdoor spaces and their furnishings needed to meet stringent safety requirements specific to secure mental health facilities, while also meeting the need for calm, functional spaces where patients can enjoy the benefits of fresh air and natural light.

Custom manufactured by Urban Effects in New Zealand to exact specifications, the outdoor furniture was replicated across each wing’s courtyard. This included purposefully designed and crafted timber seating in a combination of complementary styles. The natural wood warmth and aesthetic of the modified benches and seats from our Legend Collection and Liffiton Range creates an inviting atmosphere, while their curved and straight configurations offer variety. Seating options range from benches to seating with backrests for extra comfort. BBQs were also incorporated, to support patients to have meals outdoors with whānau and visitors.

The thoughtfully designed spaces support therapeutic outcomes by providing safe access to the outdoors – a setting that can meaningfully contribute to patient recovery

Feeling inspired? Talk to one of our outdoor space specialists today.