New Dunedin Hospital Outpatient Building Brings Patient-Centred Design to Life in Ōtepoti, New Zealand
The completion of the New Dunedin Hospital Outpatient Building marks a significant milestone in Project Whakatuputupu, one of New Zealand’s largest health infrastructure projects.
Located in Ōtepoti (Dunedin) on Te Waipounamu (the South Island), the five-storey, 15,400-square-metre outpatient building is the first stage of the development to reach completion. It brings together outpatient clinics, day procedures and radiology in an integrated environment designed around the needs of patients, whānau and staff.
HDR, in association with Warren & Mahoney, led the architecture and design, working closely with mana whenua-owned organisation Aukaha and Kāi Tahu through a co-design process that embedded the identity, history and cultural landscape of Ōtepoti throughout the project. Health New Zealand led the wider multidisciplinary design team, with Southbase Group delivering the project.
Natural light, views, open spaces and connections to nature create a welcoming, inclusive environment. Tactile materials soften the clinical setting, while intuitive wayfinding and a central atrium help patients and whānau navigate the building with confidence.
For HDR Associate Principal Joe Mihaljevic, the design looked beyond the immediate clinical brief to consider how the facility could respond to changing models of care, technology and demand.
“Our approach was to design beyond the immediate brief, creating spaces and infrastructure that can adapt to new technologies, evolving models of care, and changing demand over time.”
Flexible clinical environments, digital wayfinding and self-check-in kiosks support an intuitive experience for patients and staff. The fully electric building aims to achieve a 5-Star Green Star rating.
Mana whenua gifted the building the name Whare Mātūtū (House of Healing), reflecting its role in supporting people through their health journeys.
Once fully operational, the building is expected to enable approximately 1,700 additional day surgical procedures, 13,300 additional medical imaging appointments, and 2,700 additional medical day-stay appointments annually.
Health New Zealand says the development will improve access to care and support new models of healthcare delivery across the Southern region for the next 40-50 years.
Project Whakatuputupu comprises the Outpatient Building and an 11-storey, 72,000 m² Inpatient Building, due for completion in 2031. Together, the buildings will support a teaching hospital and regional specialist centre.
About HDR
HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, HDR is now a global company specialising in architecture, engineering, environmental, and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges.
