Details

This cancer care hospital design integrates with the surrounding landscape to promote optimism, empowerment and rehabilitation. The aim was to create a human scale, easily navigable precinct that fosters a sense of community for staff, clients and visitors.

The hospital precinct houses the full spectrum of cancer care services, including: initial diagnosis, surgery, treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation oncology, alternative medicines and extensive rehabilitation inpatient and outpatient services.

Site planning and clustering of related clinical functions was important to the successful design of such a comprehensive care precinct. The site is organised into two main zones – the acute care zone to the west and the rehabilitation zones to the east. The research and education institute are located centrally above the acute care facilities.

A central ‘street’ or ‘open lobby’ acts as a hub where open space and buildings merge. Fully accessible for pedestrian flow, the central street also vertically links with the lower parking levels.  The various entrances are marked by covered canopies.

The design embraces the importance of nature and landscape in the care, treatment and rehabilitation of cancer care patients by seamlessly integrating internal and external spaces. 

Inpatient facilities are located at the southern end of both the acute and rehabilitation zones to provide the best access to adjacent green spaces and the local creek.

Each building within the cancer care precinct has a narrow footprint to provide natural light to every bedroom, consulting room and client interface area. The majority of these rooms also have access to openable windows with excellent views to landscaped courtyards, decks, natural light and ventilation. Even the parking level has voids to bring light, ventilation and landscape into the underground space.

Extensive rooftop courtyards and green screens integrate the buildings with the surrounding landscape while also cooling it down.

At ground level, a series of linear courtyards link with the buildings to create a harmonious rhythm of buildings and welcoming outdoor spaces. The overall effect breaks down the complexity of the precinct to a more human scale.

Each courtyard is planted with an individual colour theme that complements its linked building. This creates a diverse experience throughout the whole scheme that changes with the seasons throughout the year and helps users easily navigate the precinct. The colour therapy used in the design contributes to the principle of reducing patient stress to promote healing.

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