ARCHITECTURE AWARD FOR BVN

According to the jury this major redevelopment for the Gold Coast Health Services District, ‘strikes an appropriate balance between operational efficiency and healthcare environment for patients and staff.’

This project has transformed a small local hospital into a major regional health facility and the jury found that ‘the architecture is elegant and refined, with gardens and rooftop terraces enhancing social and relaxation opportunities.’

According to BVN Principal Mark Grimmer in charge of the Robina design, the hospital design focused on creating a non-institutional feel that included ensuring maximising natural light and providing views to courtyards and the surrounding hinterland wherever possible.

An example of the focus on the user is the Outpatients area where according to Mark, “we included a spacious landscaped courtyard where patients can relax outdoors or enjoy views through the fully glazed walls whilst waiting for their appointment.”

At the urban scale, the new building provides a landmark for those driving in to the town from the freeway, and uses a simple material palette and clean architectural forms to offer legibility to the complex hospital plan.

Sustainable outcomes are achieved at both the macro and micro scale. At the master plan level, the design looks ahead to future growth on the site, and establishes an architectural infrastructure to foster further development.

According to Mark, the contemporary hospital is not only a place of support for the patient, but also a modern workplace for highly valued staff, and it was those twin concerns that the design focused on as it aimed to create a healthcare environment which challenges preconceptions of how a hospital should look and feel, and what a hospital experience can be.

Mark noted that ‘this award acknowledges the importance of paying attention to the quality of health care environments.’

For more information on BVN visit: www.bvn.com.au