One of New Zealand’s most important healthcare projects, the Palmerston North Acute Mental Health Unit, has selected Accoya to clad its new facility — a choice that aligns with its focus on biophilic design and its ambition to create a safer, calmer and more restorative environment for people in mental distress.
Opened by NZ Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey, the NZ$66.6 million development replaces an outdated unit with a purpose‑built facility designed to set a new benchmark for acute mental‑health care. Wood Central understands that the new building delivers 28 single‑room beds — with capacity to expand to 36 — alongside therapy rooms, natural‑light courtyards, a gym, family spaces and after‑hours crisis services. Every element has been designed to balance clinical functionality with a therapeutic, culturally grounded environment that supports recovery and dignity.
Designed by CCM Architects and Jacobs, the project places nature at the centre of the healing process. Biophilic design principles — including daylight, views, natural materials and access to outdoor space — were embedded from the outset. Timber plays a key role in that strategy, with the design team selecting Accoya Colour grey cladding, supplied by Hermpac, for its natural aesthetics, durability and ability to soften the building’s form.
The uncoated cladding features prominently across the external façade and within the secure internal courtyards, where access to outdoor space is considered vital to patient wellbeing. By introducing a consistent, natural timber finish into these protected areas, the design strengthens the connection between inside and out — a core principle in contemporary mental‑health architecture, where calming, nature‑connected environments are shown to reduce stress and support recovery.
Accoya Color’s performance credentials were equally important. The product carries a 50‑year above‑ground warranty, offering long‑term durability and low‑maintenance benefits suited to a public healthcare asset expected to perform for decades. Its stability and weathering characteristics support the project’s requirement for a resilient, low‑intervention exterior that maintains its appearance over time.
Inside the facility, feature walls finished in lime‑green Accoya complement the grey cladding and reinforce the therapeutic intent, adding subtle colour cues that support wayfinding and contribute to a calmer interior environment.
Beyond material selection, the project incorporates a wide range of safety‑driven and culturally informed design features. Patient rooms include en‑suite bathrooms, anti‑ligature fixtures, storage shelves, USB charging ports and workspaces to reduce environmental triggers. The roofline references the Ruahine, Tararua and Remutaka mountain ranges, while cultural artwork and narratives developed with Rangitāne iwi ensure the building reflects the local community’s identity and values.
Whilst four internal courtyards bring daylight deep into the building, secure ambulance access, upgraded mechanical systems zoned for infection control, real‑time staff‑distress location technology and an internal plantroom mezzanine — allowing maintenance without entering patient areas — demonstrate the project’s focus on safety and operational efficiency.
RCP supported the project from design through to handover, providing client representation, design and construction management, contract administration and operational‑readiness support. Early contractor involvement and value engineering delivered more than $2 million in savings without compromising design intent, while a full‑scale sample room allowed stakeholders to test and refine the layout before construction.
Accsys Group Commercial Director John Alexander said the company was pleased to see Accoya used in such a significant healthcare setting. “We are delighted to see Accoya specified for this important healthcare facility. Its longevity and durability will ensure the facility exterior can maintain its performance and appearance over time, supporting a resilient and welcoming environment for patients, staff, and visitors.”
