The Tasmanian government have unveiled designs for a hospice on Howick Street as part of their redevelopment of Launceston General Hospital. The plans, soon to be lodged with the city’s local council, have been designed by Tasmanian practice Jaws Architects.
On their website, the state’s Department of Health noted that with the closure of Phillip Oakden House in 2007, Launceston has been without a dedicated public palliative care hospice facility. The new hospice aims to alleviate this need by providing “a minimum of ten beds to cater for community members with life limiting conditions,” the government’s media release reads.
According to the Department of Health’s website, the Allambi Building has been selected as the location of the new hospice due to its proximity to the General Hospital precinct and to public transport and parking.
Director at Jaws Architects Hanz Lee commented, “The Launceston Hospice project is deeply rooted in honouring the legacy of the historic Allambi Building, which first opened its doors in 1921 as an Infectious Diseases Hospital. The building stands as a testament to the evolution of health care in Tasmania throughout the twentieth century.”
Lee added, “Designing the Launceston Hospice has been an inspiring challenge, offering the opportunity to thoughtfully integrate the rich historical significance of the Allambi building with the modern needs of a hospice facility. Our focus has been on preserving its heritage features while enhancing functionality to meet contemporary care requirements.”
Minister for Health Jacquie Petrusma noted that the proposed facility has been designed to replicate a home-like environment. “The design promotes dignity, access, and connectivity to the existing established garden and courtyard that are unique to the Allambi site.”
The hospice will include day rooms and inpatient rooms alongside features such as calm spaces and landscaped areas that are intended to “promote connectivity to outdoor spaces for both patients and visitors,” the department’s website reads.
In addition, the design will incorporate artwork, “adding a layer of beauty and emotional resonance that complements and elevates the building’s purpose,” Lee noted.
Welcoming the release of the new designs, Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler observed, “Giving people the greatest possible dignity and comfort at the end of life is so important, not only for the individual but for their families as well.”
Source: Architecture - architectureau
