The NSW government has revealed updated designs for the redevelopment of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, which will double the treatment spaces in the emergency department, and increase bed capacity in intensive care by 30 percent.
Architects Jacobs, Bates Smart, and Neeson Murcutt and Neille have been engaged to design a bright, contemporary design for a new 15-storey tower that will connect with the existing hospital campus, located in Camperdown, Sydney. Bates Smart and Neeson Murcutt and Neille won a design excellence competition for the project in September 2022.
Along with the new 15-storey building, the masterplan includes the three-storey extension to an existing services building to the east of the campus; a two-storey vertical expansion over the RPA building 89; and the internal refurbishment of existing services including the emergency department.
The last major redevelopment to the hospital was undertaken from 1998 to 2004, since which the hospital has experienced significant rise in requirements in patient volume and complexity.
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, view from Nurses Courtyard looking at eastern facade.
Image:
By Jacobs, Bates Smart, Neeson Murcutt and Neille.
The NSW government announced a $750-million investment for the redevelopment in 2019. Health minister Brad Hazzard said this would be the most significant redevelopment in the hospital’s 140-year history.
“The redevelopment will deliver more state-of-the-art operating theatre space including a hybrid theatre to facilitate complex surgeries, double the recovery space, as well as deliver a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with 30 per cent more capacity,” said Hazzard.
The architects’ design concept aspires to provide benefits for wayfinding, place-making, heritage, and clinical planning, built around five key projects: the northern arrival; the eastern wing; eastern extension; central courtyard; and Missenden Road forecourt.
The northern arrival will feature a significantly enhanced entry for the hospital with improved vehicle and pedestrian access, upgrading connection between the northern arrival plaza and the primary hospital circulation.
The eastern wing will feature a “subtle bend” to maximise views while retaining significant trees, while accommodating a broad and flexible range of operations. The three storey eastern extension above Building 89 will form a key part of the acute building podium, increasing theatre capacity and future-proofing for a public bridge connection to the Susan Wakil Building at the University of Sydney.
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital new central courtyard.
Image:
By Jacobs, Bates Smart, Neeson Murcutt and Neille.
A new central courtyard will maximize intuitive wayfinding with clear and visible pathways, identified by tessellated flooring. The Missenden Road forecourt will provide a new canopy to mediate between the public domain and provide access into the emergency department.
Early enabling works are underway alongside planning and design phases of the new expansion. The main works construction contract is expected to be awarded in late 2023.
The designs for this state significant development are currently on exhibition, with submissions closing 1 March 2023.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
