Designed for the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust, Rānui Apartments expands the work of Rānui House, offering 43 self-contained apartments for patients and families travelling to Christchurch for lifesaving treatment, located 500 metres from Chistchurch Hospital.

Plus Architecture's brief from The Trust was to create fully self-contained apartments, communal spaces, gardens, parking, and administrative areas while ensuring the spaces felt generous and supportive — all within a tight budget.

The team developed a smart modular approach with three apartment types repeated throughout to maximise efficiency without sacrificing quality. The four-storey, L-shaped building uses precast concrete complemented by timber fins and pale blue facades — the colour selected for its capacity to provide calm, reduce stress, and support wellbeing — a key priority for The Trust.

The apartments feature a mix of one, two and three bedroom units, along with studio rooms. The flexible design allows for multiple room configurations to accommodate various family sizes and needs. Each apartment includes comfortable beds, ample living spaces, and complete bathroom, kitchen and laundry amenities. The ground floor features a reception area, offices, communal spaces, outdoor living areas, and parking facilities.

Since opening, Rānui Apartments has become an integral part of the healthcare journey for hundreds of patients. In just a few months, the facility has provided 3995 nights of accommodation serving 590 families, highlighting the significant need this project addresses.