Client: Maison McCulloch Hospice
Location: Sudbury, Ontario
Size: 1,006 m² (10,832 ft²)

The Maison McCulloch Hospice (Hospice) sits on a rock outcrop just north of St. Joseph’s Villa, within the Village of Care Campus adjacent to Laurentian University. The site design takes advantage of picturesque views of Bethel Lake and Ramsey Lake, while the barrier-free building embraces a simple design that welcomes residents and their families.

The centre of excellence is dedicated to the collaborative delivery of quality hospice palliative care, including pediatric patients between the ages of 12 and 18, in both official languages in the Sudbury-Manitoulin District. The Hospice helps individuals and their families realize their full potential to live even when they are dying, by attending to their physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and practical needs.

The interior and exterior finishes were selected to reinforce a feeling of home rather than a hospital-like environment. Residents’ rooms occupy the north section of the building, with all services and staff located close by. The common areas of the building occupy the south section, allowing families and residents to gather in the kitchen, dining room, or out on the screened-in deck, much like they would at home. Each of the 10 beds within the facility enjoys a spectacular view and has a bay window, complete with built-in window seating. The dining and living rooms spill out onto a screened-in deck that overlooks Bethel Lake, allowing residents and their families to gather outdoors during three of four seasons. The building also includes accommodations for family members, including a family room for out-of-town family and a dedicated children’s playroom. These amenities allow all family members to feel at home during a difficult time.

This facility generated a high level of local participation and interest and is a welcome addition to the community. Since its opening, members of the public and family members who have been touched by the care received at the Hospice have been able to enhance the landscape of the site by dedicating a decorative piece to the surroundings, including trees, engraved patio stones, and more.