Design for the new Mount Barker Hospital unveiled
The South Australian government has unveiled the design for the new $320m Mount Barker Hospital by Swanbury Penglase and Hassell.
The new hospital, located on the existing Mount Barker District Soldier’s Memorial Hospital site, will serve the rapidly growing Mount Barker and Adelaide Hills region.
Swanbury Penglase Director Elizabeth Swanbury says the project is highly important for the Mount Barker and surrounding Adelaide Hills community as it will deliver expanded capability to provide people with access to an increased range of healthcare services closer to home.
“The new Mount Barker Hospital is a vital project for the community, providing additional choice for high-quality healthcare services such as maternity, paediatric, rehabilitation, and palliative care without having to travel to Adelaide,” says Elizabeth.
“We are excited about the hospital’s lasting impact on the region. Our team is committed to delivering a forward-thinking, inclusive and sustainable hospital that the community will embrace for years to come.”
— Elizabeth Swanbury, Director, Swanbury Penglase
The design for the new Mount Barker Hospital features a new clinical services building wrapped around a central courtyard. This integrated architectural, interior and landscape design celebrates the natural environment. The new clinical building will seamlessly blend with existing buildings, including the Imaging and Emergency Departments.
The much-loved Duck Flat Community Garden has been preserved as a vital community and environmental asset, benefiting patients, carers, the hospital workforce, and the wider region.
Hassell’s Health Sector Leader and Principal, Leanne Guy, says the hospital design is grounded in community, culture and connection to the local landscape. The resulting healthcare facility will be culturally sensitive and a contemporary place of healing and respite.
“Listening to, and building upon community feedback has allowed us to create a hospital design that truly meets the community’s needs and connection to Country,” says Leanne. “We’ve provided generous views of the landscape and access to the Duck Flat Community Garden.”
“We’ve emphasised the importance of integrating nature as part of the design to positively influence healing, restoration and human connection, while supporting biodiversity.”
— Leanne Guy, Health Sector Leader and Principal
The new Mount Barker Hospital will triple inpatient capacity from 34 to 102 beds, expanding specialist maternity, paediatrics, rehabilitation, medical, surgical, and palliative care services. The facility will also include 35 consult rooms to support community and allied health, Aboriginal Health, medical outpatient services, and a new 12-bed mental health unit.
Swanbury Penglase and Hassell are providing architecture, interior design and landscape architecture services for the project.