Helping to make happiness.

How we transformed the Kari Centre’s counselling rooms into special spaces.

 

Putting young minds at ease.

The Kari Centre is a community service for children and adolescents who may be experiencing a mental illness. As part of the refresh of their Auckland counselling rooms, they asked us to design a series of murals that would help to create a relaxing, more welcoming space for patients and their families.

Child-like – not childish.

The patients using the rooms range from primary-school age through to teenagers. The illustrative style was key – it needed to be fun without being flippant. And it couldn’t date – a surefire turnoff for the older children. We created the illustrations using a polygon style that’s bright and timeless.

 

Creating a colourful cast of characters.

We wanted to give our feathered and aquatic friends personality. A bit of cheek that’s such an integral part of the Kiwi character. One of the ways we did this was by having the illustrations interact with the fixtures and fittings – peeking out from behind pinboards and wall heaters, or perched atop pipes and light switches.

The end result has been applauded by patients, families and staff – so much so that we were commissioned to carry the theme across to four rooms at Auckland’s Starship Hospital and the Greenlane Clinical Centre.

We've had so much outstanding feedback from the young people and parents.

“I know we’ve said it a million times, but thanks again for all of your work for our service. It is truly spectacular. I just wanted to let you know that the Starship foundation were very very impressed, they said the design has been taken to a new level."

Cheryl Em

Occupational Therapist | Intake Clinician | Group Coordinator, Kari Centre

Time to create a more welcoming environment?