Revitalising St Marthas: Oldercare’s Care Home Upgrade

When Oldercare began the redevelopment of St Marthas, an old hospital turned into a residential care facility, the goal went far beyond construction. They wanted to create a space that felt alive, comfortable, and deeply human. A place where residents wouldn’t just stay, but feel at home.

At the heart of this transformation was the power of design. The project involved four wards, each with its own colour scheme and theme. What started as a plan to brighten bedrooms quickly grew into a full-scale branding and environmental design project, covering over 200 bedrooms, therapy rooms, corridors, and shared spaces.

The challenge was both creative and practical: how to make a clinical setting feel welcoming, warm, and easy to navigate for residents, many of whom live with dementia. That’s where Hyper Creative came in.

Turning Clinical Walls into Warm Spaces

Hospitals are often built for efficiency, not atmosphere. The walls are plain, the corridors long, and the lighting functional. But in a care environment, those same walls can shape how residents feel day to day. Oldercare’s vision was to reimagine these blank spaces into areas filled with energy, warmth, and familiarity. 

Each ward would feature its own set of wall graphics, giving the rooms a sense of identity while helping residents recognise and remember their surroundings. The idea was simple: use imagery, colour, and design to help people connect emotionally to their environment. But to make that happen across hundreds of rooms, the execution had to be exact.

Step-by-Step Creative Process

Here are the steps we take in upgrading the old hospital at St Marthas:

Step 1: Planning with Precision

Before any artwork could begin, a clear roadmap was essential. We started by marking the entire floorplan, identifying the specific walls in each ward that would host feature graphics. This ensured every design was thoughtfully placed, not just visually appealing, but functional for wayfinding and resident comfort.

A detailed site survey followed, capturing measurements, light conditions, and wall finishes. This stage is an important part of every Hyper Creative project: it ensures that every vinyl graphic and printed wall design fits precisely and complements the space’s lighting and purpose.

Step 2: Designing for Comfort and Connection

Oldercare wanted each ward to reflect a distinct mood and identity. Our creative team sourced hundreds of nature scenes, calming landscapes, and textures to build a shortlist that resonated emotionally. Using custom printed vinyl wall graphics, we developed four key image sets per ward, each repeated across more than fifty rooms.

This repetition not only strengthened recognition but also made navigation easier for residents living with dementia. Softer hues and natural imagery were prioritised to create a relaxing feel, while occasional pops of colour kept things lively without overstimulation.

Step 3: Bringing the Vision to Life

Once designs were approved, production moved fast. Every print was created using healthcare-friendly materials: durable, easy to clean, and vibrant in colour. Our high-quality wall graphics and decals, such as our Typography Custom Printed Wall Graphic, ensured that the visuals remained crisp and bright even in high-traffic areas.

Installation was carefully timed to fit between building completion and the wards’ grand opening. Our team coordinated with Oldercare’s site supervisors to install hundreds of graphics seamlessly, ensuring each piece aligned perfectly across bedrooms, corridors, and therapy spaces.

Step 4: The Final Reveal

When the dust settled, the transformation was striking. Rooms that once looked identical now had distinct personalities. Corridors became colourful journeys lined with custom vinyl wall designs, and therapy rooms glowed with life.

Staff immediately noticed a more uplifting mood, and residents began recognising their surroundings more easily. The graphics weren’t just decor: they became emotional anchors that helped residents feel calm, oriented, and at home.

Step 5: Building Long-Term Partnerships

Following the success of St Marthas, Hyper Creative and Oldercare began planning their next collaboration. It’s partnerships like these, built on shared vision and creativity, that define how we approach every branding and environmental design project.

How Oldercare Used Design to Support Wellbeing?

Projects like St Marthas prove that design isn’t just about looks: it’s about emotional and functional wellbeing. For residents living with dementia, visual cues can help with orientation and comfort.

Thoughtful use of printed wall stickers, frosted window films, and vinyl graphics can reduce stress and promote familiarity. These design choices give residents subtle but powerful reminders of where they are, fostering calm and independence.

How We Brought Oldercare’s Vision to Life?

To achieve this level of precision and impact, we relied on our tried-and-tested workflow:

• Initial consultation: Understanding the client’s objectives, audience, and space dynamics.
• Floorplan analysis: Identifying the most visible and high-impact walls.
• On-site survey: Capturing accurate measurements and environmental details.
• Creative direction: Sourcing and refining imagery that aligns with each ward’s theme.
• Production: Using high-quality materials suitable for healthcare environments.
• Installation: Coordinating with other contractors to ensure seamless timing, supported by our Installation Services for professional, efficient setup across every care space.
  

Every step mattered. And while the installation was the most visible part of the project, the true success came from the planning and design work that happened behind the scenes.

A Facility That Feels Like Home

Today, St Marthas stands as a showcase of how thoughtful design can elevate care environments. From the OT room to the canteen and corridors, each area tells its own visual story. Residents and staff move through spaces that feel positive, familiar, and alive. 

Visitors notice the difference the moment they step inside, it feels like home. By merging creative design with practical functionality, Oldercare has set a new benchmark for what care facilities can look and feel like. And we’re proud to have played a part in that transformation. To see more of this inspiring project, check out Oldercare’s St Marthas case study.

What We Learned?

This project reinforced a few timeless principles we carry into every design brief:

• Great design starts with empathy. Understanding who will use the space is just as important as how it looks.
• Precision saves time. Site surveys and planning prevent costly delays later.
• Partnership is everything. When the client, designer, and installers collaborate closely, results follow naturally.
• Design changes behaviour. A brighter, more welcoming space can uplift mood and improve wellbeing.

Building Environments That Inspire Wellbeing

Oldercare’s St Marthas project wasn’t just a rebranding; it was a reinvention of space and purpose. What began as an old hospital is now a vibrant, welcoming care home filled with colour, comfort, and heart. At Hyper Creative, we believe every environment, especially those that care for people, deserves thoughtful design that inspires connection and comfort.

Our Office Branding service follows the same principle by creating spaces that reflect identity, purpose, and wellbeing. From care homes to corporate offices, we help transform everyday environments into inspiring and meaningful places that people love to be in. We’re excited to continue supporting Oldercare’s mission and helping more organisations turn their spaces into something truly special.

Frequently Asked Questions for Oldercare

What wall graphics work best for care homes?

Nature-inspired, calming designs with durable, wipeable finishes are ideal for care homes. They maintain hygiene standards while creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

How do graphics help residents with dementia?

Wall and corridor designs provide visual cues that support wayfinding. This helps residents recognise spaces and move around more confidently.

Can this design approach be used in offices too?

Yes, our Office Branding service uses similar principles to boost workplace wellbeing. Thoughtful graphics can improve focus, comfort, and company culture.

How long does a care home branding project take?

Projects typically run 4–8 weeks from site survey to installation. Timelines depend on site coordination and project scale.