The overstretched John Hunter hospital precinct in Newcastle’s western suburbs is set for a major overhaul, with BVN preparing designs for a new seven-storey acute services building and the refurbishment of existing buildings.
The John Hunter and John Hunter Children’s hospitals regularly operate at 98 percent occupancy, as major metropolitan hospitals and as the principal tertiary referral hospitals for the Hunter New England Local Health District and Northern NSW. the inpatient bed base, operating theatres and ED treatment spaces are working beyond capacity.
The NSW government has allocated $780 million to upgrade the healthcare services in Newcastle, with the aim of meeting the demand and creating more integrated service delivery.
Designed by BVN, the acute services building will include an expanded emergency department, intensive care services, operating theatres, clinical sterilizing department, women’s services, along with integrated education spaces and a new helipad. The project will also include a new Hospital entry canopy and a link bridge to the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
John Hunter hospital precinct upgrade by BVN.
The design is characterized by the “carving out” of the form to create “cut outs” in the envelope, the architects explain in planning documents.
A matt metal facade with a granular, textured finish skin forms the protective outer layer of the building, while in the cut-outs smooth metal cladding acts as the “inverse” of the skin.
An elevated garden between the existing John Hunter Hospital and the acute services building will establish interaction between the buildings and act as the primary public space, “offering a space for staff, visitors and patients to enjoy the landscape, natural light and activity from the protection of an internal space.”
“This world-class health precinct will not only significantly enhance capacity for clinical care and collaboration between the health, research and education sectors but be a key driver of economic growth in the region,” said health minister Brad Hazzard.
“The cleverly designed acute services building will house cutting-edge technology, enabling John Hunter’s incredible staff to continue to deliver exemplary health care to the greater Newcastle, Hunter New England and northern NSW regions.”
Works are scheduled to begin in 2022 and are due for completion in 2026.
The plans are on public exhibition until 28 June.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
