Masterpiece Southlands Meadow
PROJECT DETAILS: RETIREMENT LIVING INTERIOR DESIGN
PROJECT LOCATION
Medicine Hat, AB
COMPLETION
2018
Brief:
Masterpiece Southlands Meadows is a 180,000 square foot new-build retirement residence in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The facility was purpose-built to support multiple levels of care, with a strong focus on resident comfort, staff function, safety, wellbeing, and long-term usability.
In-Awe Interiors was involved from early concept development through the design process, including finish and material specification, FF&E selection, and procurement. The goal was to create a warm, uplifting environment that felt supportive, comfortable, and connected to the people who would live, work, and visit there.
Challenge:
The scale and complexity of Masterpiece Southlands Meadows required careful coordination between design intent, operational needs, resident experience, staff requirements, durability, and Alberta Health Services compliance.
Because the facility was designed to support multiple levels of care, including residents with dementia-related needs, the interiors required additional consideration around comfort, safety, clarity, familiarity, and ease of navigation. Wayfinding was especially important across the entire facility, helping residents, staff, and visitors move through the building with greater confidence and reduced stress.
Each area also needed to feel welcoming and residential while supporting the practical demands of a care-based environment.
Solution:
The interior design approach was rooted in biophilic principles, using nature-inspired elements, colour, texture, light, and material selections to support calm, comfort, and connection throughout the facility.
Wayfinding became an important part of the design strategy. Colour, finishes, visual cues, and distinct environmental moments were used to help create orientation, identity, and flow throughout the building.
Each level was inspired by different elements of nature, giving the facility a layered design concept while supporting a sense of place and familiarity for residents, staff, and visitors. Public and shared spaces were designed to encourage community, movement, gathering, and belonging, while quieter areas supported rest, reflection, and comfort.
The result is a large-scale care environment that balances function, safety, wellbeing, and atmosphere — creating a residence that supports both the people who live there and the staff who care for them.
PROJECT SCOPE
New Build Construction. Interior Design, Initial Concept Development, Finish and Material Specification, FF&E Selection, Procurement, and Coordination with Project Partners.
