And that is just the effect those behind the award-winning design of Intus Specialist Health Care facility in Great King St in Dunedin were hoping to achieve.
It has been a recent double celebration for Intus Dunedin, which has marked the first anniversary of its official opening by trailblazing cardiologist Dame Norma Restieaux, the first female president of the New Zealand Medical Association, and success in the Southern Architecture awards.
Intus Dunedin director Deborah Wright said Intus was "so proud" to have won an award. Clinician directors were involved in the design "from a blank piece of paper all the way through".
Thought was given to even seemingly minor details including the interior signage, choice of chairs and New Zealand art which was bought individually by the clinicians, without consulting each other, yet appeared like a collection, Dr Wright said.
The facility was designed to be a calm, inclusive space and there was a lot of interface between the built environment and what was put in it. The focus was very much on making people feel safe, she said.
The judges commented how the design mastered spatial planning.
"Curves, materiality, a carefully considered colour palette and lighting nurture and soften the transition from arrival to waiting lounge, to naturally lit consultation rooms, to state-of-the-art procedure spaces and then through to recovery.
"Pathways throughout are easily and intuitively navigated. The jury witnessed a profoundly positive client response to the design."
Dr Wright, a general and colorectal surgeon, came to New Zealand from the United Kingdom in 2003, ostensibly for three months at Grey Hospital in Greymouth.
As well as a surgeon and director at Intus, she is also a specialist at Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand and a lecturer at the University of Otago.
Intus specialises in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal, gynaecological and pelvic floor disorders.
Since opening in Dunedin — Intus also has a presence in Christchurch, Queenstown and Wānaka — it had continued to grow and add to the services it was able to deliver, she said.
The collaborative environment, as well as benefiting patients, also made it more fun to work in.
"It’s just how you feel about coming to work every day. You’re coming to a beautiful place. The physical space has to flow through to culture, which it does for us.
"This is our calling card in some ways. We want everyone to feel comfortable here, people from all ages and walks of life," she said.
