Cowichan Hospice House

Location
Duncan, BC
Client
Island Health
Size
11,800 sf
Status
Completed 2020

Summary
Hospice facilities are a crucial service to individuals and families, as a loved one reaches the end of their life. The Cowichan Hospice House, while physically connected to and serviced by Cairnsmore Place, was intended to have a distinct character and identity of its own. The setting was designed to be as home like as possible while still being able to function as a health care facility.

The form of the building is a one-storey structure with a generally square plan shape. This shape creates efficiencies in both programmatic layout and in energy efficiency due to reduced envelope area. Where the shape deviates from the square shape, programmatic and directional considerations have taken precedent over compactness of layout.