The New South Wales planning department has approved a state-significant application for the $250 million redevelopment of the Griffith Base Hospital in the north-western Riverina region, on Wiradjuri Country.
There are currently more than 30 buildings at the hospital site “of various ages and condition,” according to planning documents. Most of these will be demolished to make way for the new hospital.
Designed by DJRD Architects, the hospital will deliver all clinical services under one roof in “a new, purpose designed building with logical zoning that incorporates contemporary models of care.”
The four-storey building will provide capacity for an expanded emergency department along with more aged care and rehabilitation beds, operating theatres and medical inpatient units. It will also boost capacity for maternity, medical imaging, paediatrics and outpatient services.
The new Griffith Base Hospital by DJRD Architects.
The Griffith Base Hospital occupies a key part of the town plan of Griffith, which was designed by Walter Burley Griffin in 1914 using the same approach he employed for Canberra.
In planning documents, DJRD Architects explains that the city’s distinct radial pattern of tree-lined ring roads offers an ideal setting for an integrated health precinct. The entire D-shaped block where the hospital is located was earmarked for a hospital in Griffin’s original masterplan. Since then, three lots have been subdivided for private ownership and now contain St Vincent’s Private Community Hospital, a pathology centre and a medical centre.
“Griffin masterfully established the potential for a health precinct while at his drawing board but his radial road planning has also enabled a hospital site with potential for multiple access points. A hospital in the round,” the architects state. “The site area of 6.4 hectares and wide street verges presents as a regional hospital in a parkland setting.”
The new clinical services building will be located on the elevated northern portion of the site, capturing southern views across the Griffith city centre and beyond while also allowing for services and clinical linkages to the private hospital. The design aims to embrace the parkland setting and open the hospital up to the community by extending walking paths through the site.
An internal courtyard will “provide maximum daylight opportunities, district and nature views, provide clarity of wayfinding and reduce potential stress associated with hospital visits.”
A non-clinical service building, also being delivered as part of the redevelopment, was recently completed. Works on the main hospital are expected to begin in 2022.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
