A state-of-the art facility, the new inpatient building for St. Michael's Hospice offers accommodation for up to 20 patients in a 21st century building that has reassessed the requirements and desires of palliative care. The highly ambitious bespoke arrangement and finishing of the building is the result of in-depth consultation with patients, staff, infection control teams and intensive research; culminating in a unique layout that offers a variety of internal spaces designed to be flexible to suit the spectrum of user needs, alongside a optimised floor plan that allows staff to provide care effectively and efficiently. The building has a simple and robust environmental strategy, focusing on high levels of insulation and airtightness, optimised daylighting and solar gain to deliver a low energy, comfortable and healthy building – important factors for this charitable client. Designed to maximize the connection to external spaces, the building uses a natural material palette where appropriate, creating a variety of supportive, calming and uplifting environments that maintain a strong connection to the beautiful surrounding Herefordshire landscape throughout.